National Consultation on Pensions in Sri Lanka
IPS together with United Nations ESCAP conducted a “National Consultation on Pensions in Sri Lanka” with the aim of promoting a dialogue among key stakeholders on the need for ensuring an uninterrupted and adequate pension for all old aged persons in the country. Findings of a study on “Adequacy and Coverage of Old Age Income Security in Sri Lanka” carried out by IPS and funded by UNESCAP was also presented at the event.
Speaking at the even IPS Executive Director, Dr. Saman Kelegama pointed out that “pensions reforms are a contemporary issue”; while Rajendrakumar Ganesarajah, Assistant Country Director, UNDP shared the UN’s views on pensions reforms. Joining the discussion, Population Officer, UNESCAP, Vanessa Steinmayer highlighted the need for income security in Asian and the Pacific and shared experiences from the region. Delivering the key note address W A Wijewardena, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka highlighted the need for income security for Sri Lanka. IPS Research Fellow, Dr. Nisha Arunatilake presented the findings of the study.
A panel discussion was also held to share stakeholder perspectives on pension reforms. The audience engaged in an insightful and lively discussion moderated by Prof. Siri Hettige, Senior Professor, University of Colombo. The panelists were Murtaza Jafferjee, Managing Director, JB Securities Ltd, Dammika Padukka, General Manager, Sri Lanka Social Security Board, T.M.R. Rasseedin, Ceylon Federation of Labour, and Kanishka Weerasinghe, Director General, Employers’ Federation of Ceylon.
IPS Researchers Neluka Gunesekra, and Sunimalee Madurawala were rapporteurs at the event. Stakeholders representing Government Institutes, Trade Unions, Private Institutes, Banks, Insurance Companies, NGOs, and Research Institutes and Media were among the participants.
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Download Presentations
Closing the gap Adequacy and coverage of pensions in Sri Lanka
Nisha Arunatilake, Research Fellow, IPS
Pensions in Asia and the Pacific – current status and policy options
Vanessa Steinmayer, Population Officer, UNESCAP
Media Highlights
The Island – 26th October 2015
Daily FT – 28th October 2015
LBO – 29th October 2015
