Sri Lanka has long been known for its commitment to providing basic social services to its people. Access to basic social services has implicitly been regarded as a basic right of all Sri Lankans, and associated with this the necessity for public action to ensure such access. This commitment has been maintained, despite at times indifferent economic growth and employment generation. Underlying this commitment has been two continuing features of the Sri Lankan situation. Sri Lanka has enjoyed democratic self-government based on universal suffrage since 1931. This has been coupled with a general emphasis on the alleviation of suffering and poverty, which is found in all the four main religions observed by Sri Lanka’s people, but especially Buddhism
