A Low Productivity Trap? Strengthening Skills, Jobs, and Public Sector Efficiency in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka experienced six consecutive quarters of negative economic growth up to the third quarter of 2023. This downturn has had a direct impact on the labour market, leading to lower wage rates and discouraging workforce participation and skill development. As a result, productivity levels continue to fall, creating a vicious cycle known as the “low productivity trap”, which hampers further economic recovery.
Youth Migration: Challenges and Opportunities for Sri Lanka
A great deal of discussion is underway on what appears to be the latest wave of migration from Sri Lanka. While the exact scale and nature of youth migration remain unclear, the costs of brain drain dominate these discussions. The brain drain concern is valid, yet focusing on it alone can limit our understanding of the complex implications of migration. This blog argues that apart from its challenges, youth migration can also present some surprising opportunities for socio-economic development if strategically managed.
Girls in STEM: How is Sri Lanka Faring?
Sri Lanka appears to do relatively well in terms of gender representation in the broad field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. However, significant gender differences in enrollments exist within STEM fields. In the context of an upcoming technology-driven Fourth Industrial Revolution, being equipped with STEM-related skills will be increasingly important to survive in the future labour market, argues Ashani Abayasekara.
Where have all the Typists Gone? Technology and Changing Job Profiles in Sri Lanka
Innovation and technology are rapidly transforming production in a variety of industries and reshaping occupation profiles. Some jobs are being made obsolete while there are new types of work emerging. Is Sri Lanka’s job market ready to face the challenges and leverage the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution? Nisha Arunatilake and Chathurga Karunanayake explore.
Allowing Youth to Tuk-Tuk or not Tuk-Tuk: Should Access to Three Wheeler Market in Sri Lanka be Regulated?
The large number of youth being employed as three wheeler drivers in Sri Lanka has concerned policymakers, especially given the widespread labour shortages in the country. The government has tried to intervene in the tuk-tuk market by attempting to impose an age restriction on three-wheeler operators. But is this a smart move? This blog attempts to clarify some myths about the three wheeler market, while weighing in on the debate on whether the government should impose an age restriction on three-wheel drivers.
Demystifying Hawala/Undiyal – The Not So Dismal Science:[…] believed that informal fund transfer operations in Sri Lanka have expanded considerably due to the wide gap between the…