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Social protection in Sri Lanka: An analysis of the social, economic and political effectiveness of the Samurdhi program

Author

Listed:
  • Sánchez Ramos, Karen Melissa
  • Karimi, Abdul Matin

Abstract

Sri Lanka is an important reference for social protection effectiveness in the South Asian region and the developing world. The government of Sri Lanka has been an active contributor to the human development and social protection structures for decades. The Samurdhi Program was then introduced in 1995 to lift the most vulnerable groups above the poverty line and facilitate the integration of the poor into the social and economic structures of the country. This paper analyses the effectiveness of the Samurdhi Program in the social, economic and political spheres. The main findings suggest that the Samurdhi Program has helped numerous families to overcome poverty, mainly due to an extensive coverage and because characteristics of the households are key determinants to receiving the grants, which allow for some wealth redistribution from the non-poor to the poor. Nevertheless, the program faces great limitations due to ambiguous entry and exit mechanisms and political interferences in the selection procedures which lead to leakages to non-poor households. In addition, a persistent high debt-to-GDP ratio threatens Sri Lanka’s long-term sustainability for welfare spending.

Suggested Citation

  • Sánchez Ramos, Karen Melissa & Karimi, Abdul Matin, 2020. "Social protection in Sri Lanka: An analysis of the social, economic and political effectiveness of the Samurdhi program," MPRA Paper 102558, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:102558
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    File URL: https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/102558/1/MPRA_paper_102558.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sebastian,Ashwini Rekha & Shivakumaran,Shivapragasam & Silwal,Ani Rudra & Newhouse,David Locke & Walker,Thomas & Yoshida,Nobuo, 2018. "A Proxy Means Test for Sri Lanka," Policy Research Working Paper Series 8605, The World Bank.
    2. Thibbotuwawa, R.M.M.I. & Printhika, B.L.D.S. & Jayasinghe-Mudalige, Udith K. & Udugama, J.M.M., 2012. "Impact Of Microfinance On Household Welfare: Assessing The Case Of Samurdhi Program In Sri Lanka," 2012 Conference (56th), February 7-10, 2012, Fremantle, Australia 124320, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society.
    3. World Bank, 2007. "Sri Lanka : Strengthening Social Protection," World Bank Publications - Reports 19638, The World Bank Group.
    4. World Bank, 2006. "Sri Lanka - Selected Public Expenditure Issues, 2003/2004," World Bank Publications - Reports 19453, The World Bank Group.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social protection; samurdhi; grants; poverty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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