2002年-世界发展银行全球_Sri_Lanka___Poverty_Assessment_104页_5mb

Sri Lanka Poverty Assessment Summary

Core Content

This report, published by the World Bank in June 2002, provides a comprehensive analysis of poverty in Sri Lanka, focusing on its evolution, current status, and the effectiveness of anti-poverty programs. It also outlines a strategy to accelerate poverty reduction by addressing structural and policy-related issues.

Main Viewpoints

1. Poverty Trends and Regional Divergences

• Poverty Reduction: Sri Lanka has made progress in reducing non-income poverty through strong investments in health and education, but income poverty reduction has been slow.
• Regional Disparities: Poverty is more pronounced in rural and northeastern regions compared to urban areas, particularly in the Western Province, which has seen significant economic growth.
• Sectoral Differences: Manufacturing and services, concentrated in the Western Province, have driven faster poverty reduction, while agriculture, the main activity in rural areas, has seen slower progress.

2. Anti-Poverty Programs and Safety Nets

• Government Programs: The Government has implemented various programs, including the Samurdhi program, which aims to reduce poverty through direct assistance and infrastructure development.
• Effectiveness: Despite significant funding (about 1% of GDP), Samurdhi has design flaws that exclude nearly 40% of the poorest households, particularly ethnic minorities.
• Safety Nets: Both domestic and foreign remittances serve as a critical safety net, especially for households in the northeastern region affected by the civil conflict.
• Private and Semi-formal Networks: These networks also play a role in poverty alleviation, though their impact is less quantifiable.

3. Strategy for Poverty Reduction

• Policy Environment: A supportive policy environment is crucial for poverty reduction. This includes:
  • Accelerating economic growth, particularly in agriculture.
  • Increasing real wages and employment.
  • Facilitating labor and resource mobility to growing sectors.
  • Controlling inflation.
• Public Services: The government must provide effective public services, especially in education, health, and infrastructure, to reach the poor.
• Peace and Social Harmony: Achieving peace is essential for long-term poverty reduction, as the civil conflict has diverted resources to defense and hindered economic development.

Key Information

Economic Context

• Currency Equivalent: US $1.00 = SLR 96.17 (June 25, 2002)
• Fiscal Year: January 1 - December 31
• Poverty Lines: The report references both national and international poverty lines, with the national poverty line corresponding to about US$1 a day and US$2 a day.
• Per Capita Income: In 1999, Sri Lanka's per capita income at PPP was lower than that of its East Asian neighbors, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and the Republic of Korea.

Infrastructure and Access

• Basic Services: Poorer households have less access to basic services like clean water, sanitation, electricity, and communication.
• Regional Disparities: Infrastructure deficiencies are most severe in the northeastern region, where poverty is highest due to conflict and isolation.
• Travel Time: In 1999/2000, travel times to key cities and ports were long, indicating poor infrastructure outside Colombo.

Social Policies

• Education and Health: Sri Lanka has made significant strides in providing universal and free education and health services, leading to better social indicators for the poor.
• Gender Equality: Poverty incidence is similar among male and female-headed households, indicating some progress in gender equality.
• Employment and Mobility: The report highlights the politicization of employment and the "chit system" as barriers to fair access and mobility, contributing to youth unrest and social fragmentation.

Ethnic and Social Divisions

• Ethnic Minorities: Indian Tamils are among the poorest and most isolated groups in Sri Lanka, facing significant barriers to integration and access to services.
• Conflict Impact: The civil conflict has had a profound impact on poverty, particularly in the northeastern region, where data collection is challenging due to the war environment.
• Social Fragmentation: Ethnic and political divisions have contributed to social conflict and hindered development and poverty reduction efforts.

Government and International Collaboration

• Collaboration: The report was developed through close collaboration between the Sri Lankan government, the World Bank, development partners, and local researchers.
• Consultations: Findings were discussed with the government, research community, and NGOs in workshops held in 2000 and 2001.
• Peer Review: The report was peer-reviewed by Gaurav Datt and Gunnar Eskeland, with additional feedback from experts in various fields.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes that poverty reduction in Sri Lanka requires a multifaceted approach, including structural economic reforms, improved governance, and a peaceful resolution to the civil conflict. It also highlights the importance of effective public services and the need for more transparent and equitable anti-poverty programs to address the root causes of poverty and enhance socio-economic mobility.