Sri Lanka benefits from its strategic geographic position along a critical Indian Ocean trade route, strong base of industrial and cash crop exports, and rapidly expanding non-agricultural economy. High levels of public expenditure and rapid industrial expansion supported recent robust macroeconomic growth, averaging more than 6% between 2008 and 2014, as the country embarked on a period of post-w
Efforts to increase domestic and foreign investment in Sri Lanka’s pharmaceuticals industry are set to boost output and broaden the sector’s product range, bringing the country closer to the government’s goal of self-sufficiency in medical production. In early January the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC) announced it was joining forces with Malaysian investment firm Pharma…
Despite spending only a small percentage of its GDP on health, Sri Lanka is seen as a relative success story in South Asia. It has successfully tackled a raft of infectious diseases – from malaria to filariasis and rabies – that once ravaged its population, and created a public health system that provides inexpensive and quality care to all. Free universal health care is enshrined in the…
Sri Lanka, like many developing markets, sees education as a crucial part of building up the country, and does so by providing free schooling and tertiary education to all citizens. Parents place enormous value on education as well. This joint commitment has helped create an education system that is widely regarded as the best in South Asia, with more children completing primary and secondary…
Interview: Ananda Jayawardane What can the government do to address the issue of “brain drain” in the higher education sector? ANANDA JAYAWARDANE: The main reasons for brain drain are better opportunities for those scholars who go abroad for various academic purposes, and the frustrations and challenges they face when working in Sri Lanka. Opportunities abroad include an academically rewarding…
Interview: Ananda Jayawardane What can the government do to address the issue of “brain drain” in the higher education sector? ANANDA JAYAWARDANE: The main reasons for brain drain are better opportunities for those scholars who go abroad for various academic purposes, and the frustrations and challenges they face when working in Sri Lanka. Opportunities abroad include an academically rewarding…
The administration of President Maithripala Sirisena has planned a series of reforms that it hopes will better equip Sri Lankans for the more competitive economic activities of the future. It aims not only to increase the number of years spent in school, but also to raise the standards of teaching, and emphasise a curriculum of critical thinking and problem solving. Sri Lanka is also keen to build…
This platform allows for attendees to network, particularly for academics, researchers, scientists, doctors, nurses and physicians. Abstract submissions are now open. The event will provide the following conference tracks: Alternative health Cardiology Dermatology Disability and rehabilitation Family medicine Food safety Infectious diseases Medical ethics Medicine and medical science Neurology Nursing Nutrition…
Free universal health care is enshrined in Sri Lanka’s Constitution. Its health care system delivers what is widely recognised as some of the highest-quality care in South Asia, despite spending considerably less than most other countries. The state-run public health system provides efficient, comprehensive and free medical services of all kinds. Currently, around 95% of inpatient care and 50% of…
