The uninspiring performance of the Sri Lankan manufacturing sector has been attributed, among other things, to the existence of a discriminatory incentive structure. In this contribution the author tests this hypothesis. The analysis corroborates the widely held view that there is an incentive...

Based on the past experience relating to FTAs, with a special focus on Sri Lanka, the paper emphasizes the importance of good processes, policies, strategies, and institutional mechanisms for entering into such agreements. It presents a list of important steps, negotiation methodologies, and...

Sri Lanka has experienced a series of changes in its trade regime since attaining independence from British colonial rule in 1948. During the first decade after independence it continued with a liberal trade regime, until growing balance of payments problems induced a policy shift towards...