Die Außenpolitik Indiens ist von einem Paradox geprägt. Das Land hat in letzter Zeit auf internationaler Bühne an Einfluss gewonnen, zugleich aber im regionalen Kontext an Bedeutung verloren. Seit Mitte der 2010er Jahre konnte China seine wirtschaftliche und politische Position in Südasien...

Die Außenpolitik Indiens ist von einem Paradox geprägt. Das Land hat in letzter Zeit auf internationaler Bühne an Einfluss gewonnen, zugleich aber im regionalen Kontext an Bedeutung verloren. Seit Mitte der 2010er Jahre konnte China seine wirtschaftliche und politische Position in Südasien...

This paper examines the origins, evolution, and resolution efforts surrounding Sri Lanka's 2022 sovereign debt default. Many defaults are triggered by sudden external shocks, but, in contrast, Sri Lanka's crisis was largely the result of prolonged domestic policy failures, including chronic...

Der deutliche Wahlsieg der linken Nationalen Volksmacht-Koalition (Jathika Jana Balawegaya / National People's Power, NPP) bei der Parlamentswahl vom 14. November 2024 signalisiert den Wunsch nach einem politischen Neuanfang in Sri Lanka. Hierfür muss die neue Regierung von Präsident Anura...

Sri Lanka stands at a pivotal moment. After overcoming its most severe economic crisis since Independence, the country has shown remarkable signs of recovery and stabilisation. Yet, significant challenges remain - from persistent poverty to looming global uncertainties - threatening to stall...

The annual inflation rate in Sri Lanka accelerated to record levels in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the inflation rate had declined to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2024, it is of great importance to identify the factors that caused hyperinflation during the COVID-19...

This paper replicates de Mel et al. (Am Econ J Appl Econ 11(1):202–235, 2019), a field experiment in Sri Lanka evaluating the effects of wage subsidies on microenterprise employment. While the original study found no lasting impact on profits or firm scale—interpreting this as evidence of...

This paper develops a Keynesian stochastic framework to reassess the natural rate hypothesis in the context of the Sri Lankan economy. By embedding fractional Brownian motion to capture persistent inflationary shocks and incorporating nonlinear interactions between unemployment dynamics and...

Sri Lanka's fiscal adjustment - nearly 8 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) since 2021 - has been exceptionally large by both historical and international standards. It has been critical in stabilizing the economy, reducing fiscal imbalances, and restoring macroeconomic stability. With...

The Sri Lanka Development Update (SLDU) has two main aims. First, it reports on key developments over the past 12 months in Sri Lanka's economy, places these in longer term and global contexts, and updates the outlook for Sri Lanka's economy. Second, the SLDU provides a more in-depth examination...

This study assesses the portfolio concentration of socially responsible investment (SRI) pension funds, which may be subject to a potentially limited asset universe and have a higher concentration and lower performance than conventional funds. Nonetheless, in contrast to previous studies on SRI...

Rice is a staple crop for over half the world's population, and accurate, timely information on its planted area and production is crucial for food security and agricultural policy, particularly in developing nations like Sri Lanka. However, reliable rice monitoring in regions like Sri Lanka...

This study investigates the factors in acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI)- based chatbot application in Sri Lanka's government administration services, which can be applied to developing countries, using an extended technology acceptance model (extended TAM) as a new research framework...

The annual inflation rate in Sri Lanka accelerated to record levels in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the inflation rate had declined to pre-pandemic levels by mid-2024, it is of great importance to identify the factors that caused hyperinflation during the COVID-19...

Sri Lanka underwent a political transition with presidential and parliamentary elections in late 2024. The new authorities expressed commitment to the program. Reform efforts are bearing fruit with growth recovering, low inflation, increased revenue collection, and reserves accumulation. By...

The Country Opinion Survey in Sri Lanka assists the World Bank Group (WBG) in better understanding how Sri Lanka stakeholders perceive the WBG. It provides the WBG with systematic feedback from national and local governments, multilateral/bilateral agencies, media, academia, the private sector,...

The Sri Lanka Development Update (SLDU) has two main aims. First, it reports on key developments over the past 12 months in Sri Lanka's economy, places these in longer term and global contexts, and updates the outlook for Sri Lanka's economy. Second, the SLDU provides a more in-depth examination...

Der deutliche Wahlsieg der linken Nationalen Volksmacht-Koalition (Jathika Jana Balawegaya / National People’s Power, NPP) bei der Parlamentswahl vom 14. November 2024 signalisiert den Wunsch nach einem politischen Neuanfang in Sri Lanka. Hierfür muss die neue Regierung von Präsident Anura...

Reducing poverty and improving the living standards of the poor and vulnerable populations in Sri Lanka have been one of the country's key goals. The government has designed poverty-targeting programs with relevant government agencies working to support low-income families. The programs include...

Purpose - This paper aims to explore the motivations behind women in a developing South Asian country - Sri Lanka - to embark on entrepreneurship in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, which is a doubly masculine hegemony operating within a culturally nuanced gendered...

Background: The organic food market in Sri Lanka has been growing steadily, driven by increasing consumer awareness of health and environmental sustainability. However, the market faces several challenges, particularly related to supply and affordability. Objectives: This study aims to identify...

This study examines whether leaders’ unethical behaviours discourage people from participating in activities initiated by community-based programmes, and whether the impact of unethical leadership is moderated by the genders of leaders and community members. We conducted a vignette experiment...

Cyclone Ditwah passed over the east of Sri Lanka between November 27 and 29 before moving into the Bay of Bengal. Sustained winds of 65 km/h were recorded, and rainfall was intense, causing devastating flooding. This Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) report provides a synopsis...

In manufacturing companies, management accounting plays a vital role of the company. This research examines the role of management accounting practices in the financial performance of listed manufacturing companies in Sri Lanka. This study undertook a quantitative study of data collected using a...

The Fifth review of the trade policies and practices of Sri Lanka takes place on 15 and 17 October 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Sri Lanka.

This paper evaluates Sri Lanka's readiness to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), with a focus on services trade. Services exports have grown moderately since 2015, led by travel, transport, and business process outsourcing, while imports have contracted, resulting in a...

Sri Lanka was hit by catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah on November 28, claiming more than 600 lives as of December 6 and affecting millions more. Severe flooding and landslides displaced over 100,000 people and caused extensive destruction of houses, roads, bridges, rail lines, buildings including...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) provided technical assistance to Sri Lanka to prepare a Fiscal Risk Statement (FRS) as part of its broader public financial management reforms. In response to the recent fiscal crisis, the authorities have implemented reforms to mitigate fiscal risks. While...

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) provided technical assistance to Sri Lanka to prepare a Fiscal Risk Statement (FRS) as part of its broader public financial management reforms. In response to the recent fiscal crisis, the authorities have implemented reforms...

Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring distinguishes itself from others by its complexity due to a particularly diverse creditor landscape and novel instruments issued in the restructuring. Not eligible for the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments, Sri Lanka had to navigate the challenges of a...

The economic outlook remains positive, and the government has reaffirmed its commitment to the program. Reforms continue to deliver on their objectives including in enhancing social protection and advancing governance reforms. Nevertheless, global trade policy uncertainty has increased downside...

This paper develops a Keynesian stochastic framework to reassess the natural rate hypothesis in the context of the Sri Lankan economy. By embedding fractional Brownian motion to capture persistent inflationary shocks and incorporating nonlinear interactions between unemployment dynamics and...