Tracing the trajectory of capacity development in developing countries that started from similar circumstances – for example, the legacy of colonialism, dependency on a few key commodities for foreign exchange earnings, populations that are multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-cultural, widespread poverty and underdevelopment – is useful, to provide insights into cases of good practices that may be transferable. The Sri Lanka case study complements a wider study of twelve African States because many commonalities did indeed exist in terms of the afore-mentioned factors. The Sri Lanka case study analyzed the following four research questions:

The achievements of capacity development across the public sector, highlighting strengths and weaknesses today and changes over time (this encompassed regulatory governance, public financial management, civil service reform, public services in health and education):

Indicators of state effectiveness
Indicators of inclusion / social engagement
Indicators of human resource development capacity
Indicators of aid effectiveness; demand-driven donor strategies and partnership

Summary of the country's capacity strengths and weaknesses:

i. Institutional capacity (state effectiveness and social engagement)
ii. Organizational capacity
iii. Individual capacity

The capacity development trajectory, including the main turning points, decisions and drivers of capacity development (in addition to the specific sectors mentioned above, this also included labour market reforms, privatization and the role of civil society, the private sector and the media in demanding public sector accountability and in providing public goods and services).

The effects of conflict on capacity and attempts to mitigate these effects:

• Capacity to sustain regular public services in the conflict affected areas
• Capacity to deliver conflict-related services (e.g., humanitarian assistance – particularly most recently in the context of the Tsunami disaster-, rehabilitation of conflict-affected populations)

The strengths and weaknesses of developing state and private sector capacity through regulatory governance. This was highlighted with a case study of the telecommunications sector.