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Sri Lanka
Voluntary National Review 2022

Aligned with the 2030 Agenda, Sri Lanka envisions an “Inclusive Transformation towards a Sustainably Developed Nation for All”, where economic transformation is underpinned by green growth and social inclusivity. Central to this transformation is the integration of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs into policies such as the National Policy Framework –Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, and the Public Investment Programme 2021-2024.

After the first Voluntary National Review (VNR) in 2018, Sri Lanka faced the 2019 Easter attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and currently the external debt crisis. Despite setbacks, implementation of policy measures has continued at the national and sub-national levels to deliver the country’s 2030 Agenda commitments. Amongst these, the establishment of the Sustainable Development Council, increasing data availability on SDG indicators from 46 in 2017 to 104 in 2021 and taking steps to mobilize innovative financing for SDGs are notable.

The second VNR is undertaken in 2022 to highlight the country’s progress towards the 2030 Agenda. To ensure an inclusive process, stakeholders from various groups were engaged through thematic, national, and sub-national level multi-stakeholder consultations and focus groups for primary data collection and subsequent validations.

Central to inclusive transformation is Economic Diversification, broadening the impact of economic growth by supporting prioritised sectors, including manufacturing, and diversifying the reliance of the economy on a few export industries. This is especially considering the economic setbacks, including the balance of payment crisis, experienced due to the pandemic.

To power economic diversification, policies that transform Sri Lanka into a Blue-Green Economy have been formulated and implementation underway. These include harnessing underutilised marine resources in a sustainable and regenerative manner, transitioning to renewable energy, agriculture development underpinned by biodiversity and sustainability, and waste management.

Transformation into a Blue-Green economy is led by national and sub-national level policies and strategies for Protecting Biodiversity and Addressing Climate Change. Along with robust Nationally Determined Contributions, Sri Lanka rolled out policies that address specific areas of ecological concern. While climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, government-led climate mitigation efforts could be impacted with fiscal consolidation and the country may have to rely heavily on partnerships to undertake such projects.

Limitations in reaching poor and vulnerable groups during the pandemic highlighted the need for accelerating a Knowledge-Based and Technology-Driven Transformation across all sectors. Accordingly, projects are underway for accurate and timely data collection that will enable the Government to respond to emergencies with targeted and effective policy measures.

Whilst consistently performing as a High Human Development country ahead of its regional peers, when adjusted for inequalities (IHDI), Sri Lanka’s score falls by 13.9% to 0.673 in the 2020 UNDP Human Development Index. The pandemic has exacerbated inequalities and will likely create further challenges to achieve the 2030 Agenda. For instance, the $3.2 per day poverty rate increased from 9.2% of the population in 2019 to 11.7% in 2020. Therefore, specific attention is paid to include Social Inclusivity in government policies at national and sub-national levels. For example, during the pandemic, cash transfers were made to economically vulnerable households and debt moratoriums introduced for business recovery. Public Sector Reforms and Innovation, especially via digitalisation, is central to enabling delivery of inclusive transformation, especially to reach the most vulnerable.

Ensuring all Sri Lankan citizens enjoy the benefits of the envisioned inclusive transformation requires Strengthened Law Enforcement and Rights Protection to safeguard civil liberties, inclusive grievance mechanisms, and efficient legal systems. Projects to increase the efficiency of the legal system are underway, including mechanisms to fast-track achievement of SDG 16 targets through integrated planning and monitoring.

While Sri Lanka ranked 87th of 165 nations in the SDG Index 2021, challenges to achieving the 2030 Agenda remain. Reforming the Sri Lankan economy whilst minimising adverse effects on vulnerable groups is key to achieving macroeconomic stability and overcoming the current economic crisis. Support for structural and innovative reforms in the public sector, will play a crucial role. Owing to limited fiscal space, multilateral and bilateral partnerships, as well as south-south cooperation, can play an important role in addressing these challenges.

Consolidating Sri Lanka’s progress to date towards the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, and ensuring such progress isn’t derailed, whilst strengthening ownership and implementation mechanisms, is the foremost priority for all stakeholders.

Voluntary National Review 2018

Introduction

Having overcome a three decade long terrorist conflict, Sri Lanka has begun its “transformation towards a sustainable and resilient society”. The poverty rate has dropped to 4.1% in 2016 and country is reaching towards the upper middle income status with a per capita GDP of USD 4,066 in 2017. Unemployment rate stood below 5% for last seven years. Free education and health policies have resulted in high life expectancy (75 years) and high youth literacy (98.7%) rates. UN has recognized Sri Lanka among “high human development” achieved countries.

Stakeholder engagement:

Increasing the multi-stakeholder engagement for the 2030 agenda was a key objective of the VNR process designed by a multi-stakeholder committee; guided by a Task Force; and facilitated by a Consultant. Stakeholders across the country were consulted in five workshops. An online engagement platform was developed.

Key plans and strategies for implementation of SDGs:

The government’s “Vision 2025” that provides the overall vision and the Public Investment Programme, the three-year rolling plan align significantly with SDGs.

The National Budget 2018 focuses on a “Blue Green Economy” envisaged to create an eco-friendly environment where all can co-exist harmoniously.

Means of implementation:

The Sustainable Development Act enacted in October 2017 provides for formulating a national sustainable development policy and strategy. The President has appointed the Sustainable Development Council to implement the Act.

The government adopted mainstreaming SDGs into institutional plans as its main strategy to achieve SDGs.

Main challenges encountered and areas of progress:

Poverty

Multi-dimensional Poverty Index (MPI) of 1.9 % in 2012/2013 reflects reduction in poverty. However, poverty pockets exist throughout country and disparities observed among districts.

Efficiency and coverage of the existing social protection programmes are being improved to support the poor and vulnerable.

Health

Maternal mortality, under-five mortality and neonatal mortality have reduced remarkably. Population aging and increasing non-communicable diseases are challenges. Health Policy 2016 - 2025 addresses issues in financing, regulations and primary healthcare.

Education

Sri Lanka has achieved near universality in youth literacy rate, school enrollment and primary education completion. Improving the quality and relevance of education, increasing access to higher and vocational education, standardizing non-state education and strengthening linkage between general and vocational education remain challenges.

Gender equality

Sri Lanka ranks 73rd out of 188 countries in the gender inequality index. Gender inequalities are observed in labor force participation and political representation.

Regulations have been introduced to facilitate women to balance work with their responsibilities within the family. Women’s share in local authorities has been increased through legislation.

Water & Sanitation

Around 89.5% of the population has access to safe drinking water. However, disparities exist regionally and issues exist on quality and quantity of drinking water.

87 % of the population possesses onsite sanitation facilities. Providing facilities to the rest and managing wastewater in urban centers and industrialized areas remain challenges.

Energy

Sri Lanka has over 98% coverage of domestic electricity supply. Renewable sources account for 53% of total primary energy supply. Rising dependency on imports and cost of energy are challenges. The government explores renewable energy options, demand side management, and regulating the sector.

Transport

Public transport accounts for 57% of passengers. Traffic congestion in urban areas, increasing private vehicle usage and road accidents are challenges. Measures such as railway electrification, Light Rail Transit System and fuel efficient vehicles are being introduced to modernize transport.

Tourism

Sri Lanka has tremendous potential for tourism with its geographical location and the many diverse attractions within a relatively small area. Annual tourist arrivals have increased five-fold during the last ten years. A transformation in the tourism strategy is needed for its sustainability.

Natural resources

Sri Lanka is one of the world’s 35 biodiversity hotspots. High level of endemicity is observed in most taxonomic groups. However, a considerable number of species are threatened species. Meanwhile, deforestation has become a challenge due to increased demand for land. Solutions have been identified in the National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan.

Peace

The government seeks to build a peaceful, stable, reconciled and prosperous Sri Lanka based on a three-pillared strategy of strengthening democracy, reconciliation, and economic development, with the participation of all stakeholders, as reflected in the Peacebuilding Priority Plan as well.

Focal point
Mr. RMDB Meegamulla
Secretary
Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife

Dr. MMSSB Yalegama
Additional Secretary (Sustainable Development)
Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife
Documents & Reports

National Reports

Partnerships & Commitments
The below is a listing of all partnership initiatives and voluntary commitments where Sri Lanka is listed as a partner or lead entity in the Partnerships for SDGs online platform
Capacity development of SAS member countries for the preparaion of specific policies to implement goal 14

South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) is an inter-governmental Organization, established in 1982 by Governments of the eight South Asian countries to promote and support protection, management and enhancement of the environment in the region. Countries, namely; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have ratified the articles of Association of SACEP. It is also registered with the Secretariat of the United Nations as Multilateral Organization in accordance with under the Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations. SACEP has its hea...[more]

Partners
South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme - SACEP (IGO), Ministry of environment, Ministry of Shipping, Coast Guard, Navy, Disaster Management Ministry, Ministry of Fisheries of each member countries.
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
IHO Hydrography Capacity Building Programme for Coastal States

The IHO capacity building programme seeks to assess and advise on how countries can best meet their international obligations and serve their own best interests by providing appropriate hydrographic and nautical charting services. Such services directly support safety of navigation, safety of life at sea, efficient sea transportation and the wider use of the seas and oceans in a sustainable way, including the protection of the marine environment, coastal zone management, fishing, marine resource exploration and exploitation, maritime boundary delimitation, maritime defence and security, and o...[more]

Partners
International Hydrographic Organization (IGO); 87 IHO Member States (Governments); International Maritime Organization (UN); World Meteorological Organization (UN); International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (NGO)
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Protection of Marine and Coastal Resources

Sri Lanka is situated between 5 55 and 9 51 North Latitude and 79 41 and 81 54 East Longitude. above the equator. The land area of Sri Lanka is 65,000 sq km with a coastline of 1620 km. The land between the coast and the central highlands has many variations from flat areas to many peaks and hills. One hundred and three rivers provide drainage from the central highlands to the coast. The coastal and marine environment in Sri Lanka has lagoons, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs and seagrass meadows. Sri Lanka has several marine protected areas. All are under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance. There...[more]

Partners
Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development (Government), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Government), Ministry of Science and Technology (Government), Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife (Government), Ministry of Education (Government), Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (Government), Information and Communication Technology Agency (Government), Marine Environment...[more]
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Scaling up nutrition through a multi-sector approach

In Sri Lanka, the programme aims to combat food insecurity issues by closely aligning with national policies and using surveys completed on the national level to improve efficiency and effectiveness of investment on food security and nutrition. With the support of the National Nutrition Council, the programme has assisted the government in adopting well-informed decisions on targeting the appropriate recipients and in promoting the right combination of micro-nutrient rich foods. This program has also considered women a target group to empower and influence behavioral changes in children an...[more]

Partners
UN agencies: WFP, FAO and UNICEF National partners: Government ministries, research institutes and Save the Children
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Sri Lanka will empower the health sector through capacity building and leadership in information and communication technology

Sri Lanka will empower the health sector through capacity building and leadership in information and communication technology. More specifically, the Government will provide education, training, and assessment to 100,000 members of the work force using a royalty-free open source based technology platform developed by Intel. Sri Lanka will provide training and will certify the 100,000 members of the workforce on information and communication technology by 2015 and also implement a basic electronic health record for children in 5,000 schools that would enable the health sector planners to launch...[more]

Partners
Action Network
Sustainable Development Goals
Statements
17 Jul 2018
17 Jul 2018
18 Jul 2017
17 Jul 2017
14 Jul 2017
13 Jul 2017
12 Jul 2017
5 Jun 2017
20 Jul 2016
18 Jul 2016
15 Jul 2016
14 Jul 2016
13 Jul 2016
11 Jul 2016
20 Jun 2012
6 May 2010
5 May 2006
3 May 2006
22 Apr 2005
3 Sep 2002
United Nations