Health & Education
From The Report: Sri Lanka 2018
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The government has signaled its determination to reform Sri Lanka’s health sector with region-leading stances on tobacco, while also showing a willingness to engage with private health care providers looking to tap into the country’s potential. Private health care in Sri Lanka is starting from a low base, but a number of factors will provide distinct opportunities for those looking to invest in the market. In a concerted effort to boost the country’s overall economy, development of the education sector has become a government priority. In recent years it has initiated plans to increase the capacity of institutions, improve the standards of teaching and embrace the technology revolution that is happening globally.

This chapter contains an interview with Lakshman Dissanayake, Vice-Chancellor, University of Colombo.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Sharing responsibility: Private enterprise to fill infrastructure gaps as demand rises
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Free and universal coverage has been a feature of Sri Lanka’s health care since the country gained independence from the UK in 1948. Given this, Sri Lanka compares well to neighbouring South Asian countries in a number of health indicators, and infectious diseases including malaria and rabies have either been eradicated or severely minimised in recent years. However, a change in lifestyle habits and diets in the fast-developing nation is creating new challenges for the health sector, most…

Overview

Untapped potential: Efforts are under way to expand access and enhance quality
OBG
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In a concerted effort to boost the country’s overall economy, development of the education sector has become a government priority. In recent years it has initiated plans to increase the capacity of institutions, improve the standards of teaching and embrace the technology revolution that is happening globally. The country has also achieved almost universal elementary school attendance, youth literacy rates and gender parity in schools. Despite being a relative success story, it still has…

Interview

Anticipated prospects: Lakshman Dissanayake, Vice-Chancellor, University of Colombo, on the importance of higher education to economic development
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Interview :Lakshman Dissanayake To what extent can technology complement teaching capabilities and enhance access to education? LAKSHMAN DISSANAYAKE: The increasing use of technology to improve educational access and methods is key to the growth of all areas of higher education worldwide, and Sri Lanka is no exception. There is a trend within the education sector to innovate through technology. There are government initiatives to introduce technology to schools by providing ICT facilities,…