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The Organization Advancing the Rights of Tamils in Sri Lanka

tamils in sri lankaTamil refers to both a language and two minority ethnic groups in Sri Lanka. The “Sri Lankan Tamils,” who migrated from South India as far back as the fifth century Before Common Era (BCE) and the “Indian Tamils,” who are descendants of laborers brought to the island by the British during colonial times. Both groups have formed communities primarily in the northern and eastern parts of the island.

At the fall of the British Empire, many Tamils found themselves stateless under the Citizenship Acts of 1948-49 and promises made by the Indian government to confer citizenship upon 600,000 Tamils were not fulfilled. Minority Rights Group, an NGO working with indigenous people around the world, states that, by the year 2000, about 300,000 Tamils were still stateless.

This situation and a desperation to be treated equally, both socially and politically, has resulted in severe conflict since the fall of the British Empire. The Sri Lankan Civil War was fought from 1983-2009 in which the political group Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam or the Tamil Tigers, fought to create an independent Tamil state but were defeated after thousands of deaths on both sides. The result has been the continued oppression and marginalization of Tamils in Sri Lanka.

What Is the Current Situation?

In September 2023, nine different human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, published an open letter criticizing the Sri Lankan government’s proposed National Unity and Reconciliation Commission. They wrote that the commission was unlikely to achieve any meaningful change for minority groups, asking instead for the government to recognize the widespread discrimination and inequalities Tamils still face.

Human rights groups in recent years have deeply criticized the 1979 Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), with the Guardian calling it “a stain on Sri Lanka’s human rights record” as it enables the arrest, forced confessions and torture of anyone suspected of terrorism. In 2020, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka reported widespread torture and excessive use of force by the police. Additionally, more than 130 Tamil politicians and activists were documented to be in detention despite government denials. The government argued that these individuals were imprisoned for violent crimes. In 2022, Amnesty International reported that Muslims and Tamils are disproportionately affected by the PTA in Sri Lanka. This situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding human rights issues, particularly about Tamils in Sri Lanka.

What Progress Is Being Made Today?

Despite this, various groups throughout Sri Lanka and the world have been fighting for Tamil rights and the Tamil Rights Group (TRG) is taking steps to hold the Sri Lankan government accountable for their actions against Tamil people. In December 2023, TRG engaged in in-person discussions with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Netherlands. The discussions centered on crimes against humanity, particularly the persecution of Tamils and the role of the military, exploring potential legal actions.

A follow-up submission is currently being prepared to continue addressing these critical issues. In a statement about the meeting, TRG emphasizes its commitment to “pursuing all available legal avenues to hold the Sri Lankan state and individual perpetrators accountable.” This holds the promise of legal change for Tamils, shedding light on their plight and potentially advancing justice for the affected communities.

Final Remark

The end of 2023 saw a rise in global awareness and recognition of the crimes committed against Tamils. This will likely lead to tangible changes that may address the plight of those most affected.

– Alice Brayford 
Photo: Flickr

UK Aid and Poverty Reduction

U.K. Aid and Poverty ReductionU.K. aid aims to tackle the global challenges of today, including reducing global poverty. However, from 2020-2021, the U.K. government reduced aid spending from 0.7% to 0.5% of gross national income in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by the U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, U.K. aid has impacted poverty reduction by tackling malnutrition and improving access to education in post-conflict societies.

Kosovo

In Kosovo, 37% of people live below the poverty line, according to the 2008 U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) report. After the conflict that ended in 1999, the U.K. contributed to the reconstruction of Kosovo. From 2001-2004, the U.K. sent £15 million worth of aid over three years, after previous assistance from 1991 onward. The U.K. also helped humanitarian organizations such as the United Nations (U.N.) in health care systems, media and economic restructuring. In its 2006 review, the DFID referenced goals such as building responsible and capable governments, the promotion of social inclusion and the reduction of unemployment. Poverty strategies that it has supported have “remained effective instruments.” U.K. aid has helped create the institutions in post-conflict Kosovo necessary to reduce poverty and the country is reliant on international aid in rebuilding its society.

Sri Lanka

After the conflict ended in 2009 in Sri Lanka, the U.K., U.N. and other organizations engaged in post-conflict reconstruction in the nation. About 450,000 people had been displaced, and Sri Lanka’s economy, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, was struggling. For example, inflation peaked at 73% as of May 2023. The U.K. and Sri Lanka have an existing diplomatic relationship that involves aid: last year, the U.K. provided £3 million for urgent food and farming support. This is in addition to the U.K.’s £11.3 million Conflict, Stability and Security Fund program for Sri Lanka. It forms part of continuing support aimed at improving the economy, developing and rebuilding society and reducing poverty.

Nepal

The DFID launched its Enabling State Program (ESP) from 2001-2013 to support Nepal’s government after the conflict ended in 2006. It addressed the severe exclusion of marginalized groups that faced higher rates of poverty. While the initial budget was £19.5 million, it was increased to £33.3 million by 2013. The Project Completion Review of the ESP revealed that there was success in the areas of inclusion, constitutional processes and building capacity of state organizations. Therefore, U.K. aid helped in building state capacity to address problems such as exclusion and poverty faced by marginalized groups.

South Sudan

With the South Sudan conflict ending in 2020, the U.K. has aimed at reducing extreme poverty and helping the country rebuild its economy after instability. The South Sudan Humanitarian Program contributed £100.4 million from 2014-2020 toward alleviating famine and providing food assistance to 350,000 people. U.K. aid has also contributed to 837,000 people having access to standard education and 618,000 people having access to sustainable clean water. Its initiatives have brought about more stability while mitigating the impact of post-conflict challenges, including poverty.

Burundi

Burundi has struggled to rebuild after its conflict ended in 2005. In 2008, 81% of the population lived below the poverty line. In 2011, the U.K. gave the country £13.7 million, representing 3.6% of the total aid to Burundi. This went toward wealth creation, governance, security and combatting poverty and hunger. This aid aimed to ensure that 68,000 more children got access to primary education, more than 450,000 more textbooks were available in schools and 2,000 more women had better access to justice services. All of these initiatives contribute to addressing and reducing poverty, as education brings economic empowerment to individuals and justice ensures certain rights.

Effects of Reducing the Budget

U.K. aid helps poverty reduction by contributing directly to those in need and helping governments build the capacity to address poverty. However, concerns about reduced spending have been raised by members of the U.K. Parliament and advocates for U.K. aid. With a reduction in spending comes certain results: for example, almost four million fewer girls will have access to standard education. This highlights the importance of adequate aid, especially in post-conflict settings where economies rely heavily on foreign aid in order to restart.

Looking Ahead

In spite of recent budget reductions in U.K. aid, the impact of their assistance in addressing poverty and promoting development in countries like Kosovo, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Sudan and Burundi has been notable. The U.K. aid has played a crucial role in areas such as reconstruction, health care, education and poverty reduction, contributing to stability and progress in these post-conflict societies. While concerns about reduced spending have been raised, the importance of sustained aid in these contexts cannot be overstated, as it remains essential for long-term development and rebuilding efforts.

– Rosie Lyons
Photo: Unsplash

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7 Facts About Life Expectancy in Sri Lanka

Life Expectancy in Sri LankaSri Lanka is a country that used to be torn by civil war. Now, thanks to peace and foreign investment, the country is making major strides towards improving the lives of its citizens. Below are seven facts about how life expectancy in Sri Lanka is improving.

7 Facts about Life Expectancy in Sri Lanka

  1. Life expectancy in Sri Lanka is currently 77.1 years. The life expectancy for males is 73.7 and is 80.8 for females. This is an increase of more than seven years from 20 years ago.
  2. The country’s three-decade civil war resulted in thousands of deaths including more than 7,000 in the final months. However, since the war ended in 2009, the country has been able to stabilize and improve economic conditions.
  3. Since 2006 the percent of people living in poverty has decreased from 15.3 percent to 4 percent. This decrease in poverty has been in large part due to the improving economy in Sri Lanka which registered an average economic growth rate of 5.8 percent from 2010 to 2017. The correlation between poverty and life expectancy is clear. When one is out of poverty and has more resources, they are able to live longer lives.
  4. Children are being immunized against disease at a 99 percent rate. Children have access to immunizations leading to a lower rate of children dying of preventable diseases. They can live longer and happier lives without worrying about diseases such as measles, hepatitis and DPT.
  5. Sri Lanka is focused on educating its youth, by seeking foreign investment. For instance, in 2017, the country secured a $100 million loan from the World Bank in order to enhance the quality of degree programs and boost STEM enrollment and research opportunities at the university level. The country’s investments are paying off as Sri Lanka has the highest reported youth literacy rate in South Asia at 98.77 percent versus India (89.66) and Bangladesh (83.2 percent).
  6. The under-5 mortality rate is less than 10 percent. The under-5 mortality rate broke below 10 percent in 2014 and has been declining since 2005. In fact, the under-5 mortality rate stood at more than 20 percent less than two decades ago. CARE and the Red Cross are two organizations that have been especially focused on improved health care services since the 1950s.
  7. The U.N. projects that the life expectancy rate will exceed 80 years within the next 20 years. However, as the Minister of External Affairs noted at a U.N. conference in 2014, “with…increased life expectancy, we are facing new challenges, namely the incidence of NCDs, a growing aging population by 2030, addressing issues facing young people and containing the spread of HIV/AIDS.”

Sri Lanka is a great example of a country that shows what can happen with peace and investment. Their economy is growing and with it, the people’s lives are improving not only in quality but also in length.

– Josh Fritzjunker and Kim Thelwell
Photo: Flickr

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How Flooding Leads to the Most Common Diseases in Sri Lanka

Common Diseases in Sri Lanka
As a country that endures two monsoon seasons and is surrounded by several bodies of water, Sri Lanka is particularly vulnerable to floods. The country’s floods do not just damage physical property, but also pose a threat to Sri Lankans’ health. Most of the common diseases in Sri Lanka are so due to the danger the floods pose.

The floods that affect Sri Lanka leave the nation’s people with damaged homes and an excess of unsanitary water. With the contaminated floodwater lingering around, more mosquitoes are likely to come, thus increasing the risk of dengue fever. Due to severe flooding that occurred this past May, affecting more than 600,000 people, many are now concerned that dengue cases will increase.

Based on statistics, they have a valid reason to worry. In the past seven months alone, there were already 80,732 dengue fever cases reported in the nation. This number tremendously exceeds the number of cases the country had seen from 2000-2016. While there are four different types of dengue fever, DENV-2 is the one that is mostly spreading throughout the nation right now.

Besides dengue fever, there are other common diseases in Sri Lanka that pose an increased threat due to flooding. One of these diseases is cholera. With 172,454 reported cases in 2015, cholera remains an issue in today’s world. The abundance of contaminated floodwater increases the risk of Sri Lankans contracting cholera.

In response to the recent flooding crisis, Australia is giving the World Health Organization money to establish programs that focus on dengue fever in Sri Lanka. The World Health Organization is also working with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health to assist with any medical issues related to the flood. The World Health Organization is supplying the nation with more beds in an effort to provide more people with medical assistance.

Although the people of Sri Lanka struggle from the aftermath of monsoons, they, fortunately, receive help from others.

– Raven Rentas

Photo: Flickr

Why Is Sri Lanka Poor?

Why Is Sri Lanka Poor
Sri Lanka has been suggested to be an early achiever of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in various areas. From primary school enrollment to universal reproductive health service provisions, Sri Lanka has made significant strides to improve the living conditions of its people. Poverty in the country has fallen from 22.7% in 2002 to 6.1% in 2012. However, large pockets of poverty remain which begs the question, why is Sri Lanka Poor?

3 Reasons Why Sri Lanka is Poor

  1. Previous Conflict
    Sri Lanka has been torn by civil war since 1983. The war resulted from ethnic tensions between the Buddhist Sinhalese majority and the Hindu Tamil minority. Between 80,000 and 100,000 lives were lost during the conflict and hundreds of thousands of others were displaced. In 2009, the civil war ended but stable peace was not achieved. Approximately 370,000 citizens were still displaced in Sri Lanka in 2012 while other citizens lost property and witnessed fragmentation in their communities. One of the main pockets of poverty that remains in Sri Lanka is in the former conflict districts in the Northern Province. For instance, 28.8% of individuals in the Mullaitivu district live in poverty on $1.90 USD or less a day in 2011. While Sri Lanka has shown large improvement in its development in recent years, the development has been suggested to be non-inclusive and unequal. Vulnerable groups are excluded in the country’s development upsurge.
  2. Education Disparities
    The regional disparities in Sri Lanka are partially due to variations in productive earnings opportunities. In 2012/13, more than 85% of Sri Lanka’s poor lived and worked in the rural sector of the economy. Among the bottom 40%, the main cause of poverty is education quality. Schools in rural areas or in areas that were previously affected by conflict have difficulty attracting qualified teachers to educate their children. With hundreds of schools in the north and east regions of Sri Lanka still needing repair from the 30-year civil war, children are not provided the necessary facilities to obtain a quality education. Education expenditure in 2014 only accounted for 1.9% of the country’s GDP and was around 7.3% of the government’s budget that year. Sri Lanka has one of the lowest tax-to-GDP rates internationally, which undercuts the government’s ability to invest in education. Why is Sri Lanka poor? The country lacks the proper public investments necessary to improve the educational facilities of the country. Without proper educational facilities for the youth of Sri Lanka, the children will lack the necessary skills for economic progression.
  3. Climate Change
    While the issues previously mentioned can be solved through national policy, the issues of climate change can only be solved with international cooperation. The recent heavy rains and mudslides in Sri Lanka are examples of the serious implications of climate change for the living standards of the Sri Lankan poor. The recent extreme weather events have left nearly 2,000 homes destroyed and more than half a million people displaced. With stagnant floodwaters, the fear of increasing the Dengue Fever crisis has amplified. The poor are sensitive to the climate as they depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. In 2015, 28% of Sri Lankans were still employed in the agricultural sector. With climate change, the summer rainfall and winter monsoons are now unpredictable and affect the growing season of crops in the country. Why is Sri Lanka poor? The recent changes in the climate have reduced crop yields and crop growth in Sri Lanka due to heat intolerance and water evaporation. This reduces the economic returns to those in the agricultural sector, leading to lower incomes for the individuals affected by these environmental changes. On top of the reduced livelihood security, the frequency of droughts, floods and rising sea waters in Sri Lanka is displacing communities due to shelter damage. Additionally, the conditions lead to malnutrition and the increased incidence of infectious disease. Since the beginning of the year, 53,000 cases of Dengue Fever have been recorded. As severe floods persist, other diarrheal diseases such as malaria, Hepatitis and cholera are expected to spread. With high temperatures and poor hygiene for the poor of Sri Lanka, the climate conditions will lead to bacterial proliferation. This further reduces the living standards of the poor.

The three reasons provided above do not completely answer the question: Why is Sri Lanka Poor? However, the topics do uncover important challenges faced in Sri Lanka. The country has made many strides in recent years to improve the living conditions of its citizens. But more should be done to protect the population from the changing climate and to produce an inclusive economy for all its citizens.

– Tess Hinteregger

Photo: Flickr

 

 

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The End of Malaria in Sri Lanka Brings Hope for Other Nations

Malaria in Sri Lanka
In the mid 20th century, Sri Lanka lied among the most malaria-stricken countries in the world. However, in September 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) certified the successful elimination of malaria in Sri Lanka. A remarkable public health achievement, Sri Lanka is the second country in South East Asia to eliminate malaria (the Maldives being the first).

Eighty percent of Sri Lanka’s population lives in rural areas– the ideal environment for the mosquito species Anopheles culicifacies, the main vector of malaria in the region. The Plasmodium falciparum parasite causes the disease and is carried by Anopheles mosquitoes that feed on the blood of humans.

For seven decades, the country prioritized making the nation malaria-free. Malaria in Sri Lanka soared in the 1970s and 1980s, and the nation started an anti-malaria campaign in the 1990s. A strategy targeted the parasite in addition to the mosquito.

In 1991, the country’s number of cases of malaria reached up to 400,000. The country’s civil war put soldiers in the most vulnerable positions, with 115 people dying from malaria in 1998.

At the end of the war in 2009, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health launched a malaria elimination program, funded in part by the Global Funds to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The campaign included mobile malaria clinics in high transmission areas with effective surveillance, community engagement and health education.

This program enhanced the ability of the authorities to respond. Ever since the implementation of this campaign, the introduction of high surveillance maintains the elimination of the parasite in Sri Lanka.

The eradication of malaria in Sri Lanka raised the hopes of 30 other nations to end the disease that kills 400,000 people every year. As the director of the WHO’s Global Malaria program stated, the island country demonstrated that any government can eliminate malaria with improved efforts.

– Aishwarya Bansal

Photo: Flickr

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A Resolution to the Quality of Water in Sri Lanka

A Resolution to the Quality of Water in Sri Lanka
The U.N. estimates that in just nine years, half the people in the world will not have access to safe water. Water sources will be affected by climate change, pollution, war, over-development and unsustainable agriculture. Sri Lanka has an abundance of safe water resources, however, the water is not distributed equally.

Almost 90 percent of the people living in urban areas have access to safe water, compared with 60 percent of rural communities. The quality of water in Sri Lanka for the three million people living in dry zones can only be described as contaminated. There is no safe water source within a 200-mile radius, leaving people in the dry zones dependent on groundwater from dug wells and tube wells.

Chemicals, such as fluoride, nitrates and arsenic, are present in groundwater at very high levels as a result of their geogenic origin. Consequently, these chemical contaminants affect the quality of water in Sri Lanka’s dry zones and in turn, the health of people who get their water in dug wells and tube wells. An increase in kidney diseases and cancer in Sri Lanka has been attributed to exposure to these chemicals.

People have attempted to resolve issues with the quality of water in Sri Lanka with bowser-driven water distribution, residential rainwater harvesting plants and bottled water, but a long-term solution is needed. The Sri Lankan National Water Supply and Drainage Board awarded Veolia, a French firm, a $164 million contract to design and build five water treatment plants, 12 service reservoirs, five pumping stations and 430 kilometers of transmission and distribution pipes. The water treatment plants will be located in Matale, Ambangang, Ukuwela, Udatenna and Rattotta. The plants will provide clean safe drinking water to more than 350,000 people in the agricultural area of Greater Matale in central Sri Lanka.

Clean, safe water is critical to the health of a nation and its people. The five water treatment plants are just the beginning of efforts to provide a sustainable solution to the quality of water in Sri Lanka that provides the entire population with a clean, safe water.

– Mary Barringer

Photo: Flickr

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The Success of Midwives in Sri Lanka


Public health midwives have been a part of Sri Lankan culture for nearly a century, but their role has recently evolved into a prominent one in the community. Midwives in Sri Lanka not only attend births, but now they also cover preventive health community services. Since approximately 72 percent of Sri Lankans live in rural areas, over 90 percent of public health midwives serve in rural communities, ensuring that typically neglected areas prone to high poverty rates still receive adequate health coverage.

Sri Lanka has committed itself to promoting gender equality. Absolute poverty rates, typically affecting females and children more than males, have been on the decline. As of 2013, 90 percent of Sri Lankan adult females are literate. One of the most impressive efforts to both alleviate poverty and promote the role of women in the community is the central role of midwives in Sri Lanka. The free provision of healthcare at all stages of life, coupled with the usage of traditional cultural practices, has allowed midwives to become respected, sought-after figures in communities. Midwives are viewed as trusted healthcare providers and provide medical guidance to both men and women. Midwives in Sri Lanka have also played a huge role in the high rate of attended births (98 percent) and the incredibly low maternal mortality rate (32 per 100,000 live births).

Improving maternal health has far-reaching effects due to the improvement of the quality of life for women. Access to education is improved. Girls now make up 50 percent of students in secondary education and have the opportunity to attend higher levels of education. Additionally, the focus on rural health by midwives in Sri Lanka is coupled with rural development efforts that have resulted in absolute poverty rates of less than 10 percent and improved access to safe drinking water and electricity.

New challenges are arising, such as a rise in noncommunicable diseases and low midwife recruitment numbers. However, adaptations are being made. Providing more educational opportunities for midwives, increasing their role in addressing public health issues like domestic violence, and offering more public sector employment incentives will be important moving forward. Midwives in Sri Lanka are not only an integral part of the healthcare system but also play an important part in promoting gender equality and opportunities for women.

– Nicole Toomey

Photo: Flickr

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Education in Sri Lanka: Yowun Pura Gives Sri Lankan Youth Voice


Yowun Pura, or “The City of Youth,” is a youth program in Colombo, Sri Lanka that provides the nation’s student population the opportunity to contribute to national, social and economic development within their communities. It also provides them the chance to improve health and education in Sri Lanka by affording children the opportunity to stay, both mentally and physically active and asking for their feedback.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe formed the program himself while he was Minister of Education and Youth Affairs back in the 1980s. The Prime Minister speaks highly of the program, indicating that the youth are the most successful and contributive when it comes to quality of life and education in Sri Lanka.

The program, which is run through the Youth Camp and organized by the government, intends to provide local youth the skills necessary in order to actively and effectively contribute to their nation’s development.

Yowun Pura is a widespread effort to empower the nation’s youth by affording them the opportunity to strengthen social and economic development, as well as education in Sri Lanka. The program does so by working to develop relationships, dialogue and reconciliatory skills amongst Sri Lankan youth and between international youths.

Through group work and programs such as educational activities, sports, cultural events, entertainment and open dialogue, the program aims to open active discussion about national development with future generations and inspire the youngest generations to share their suggestions regarding the nation’s prosperity.

Though entirely voluntary, Yowun Pura is proud to shed the confines of race, religion and political parties in order to unite the nation’s youth. For this reason, the youth leadership program is considered an important advancement in the development of global education in Sri Lanka.

– Jaime Viens

Photo: Flickr

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Education System in Sri Lanka

Education system in Sri Lanka
With a literacy rate of 92.3% and a continuing increase in primary school enrolment, the education system in Sri Lanka is constantly evolving and improving. Considering its history, a visible improvement is a high achievement, and will hopefully be maintained in the future.

Currently, there are 10,390 government schools in Sri Lanka. A curriculum set by the government is taught in Sinhalese, with English set as a second language. Education in Sri Lanka is free from primary through university level, but is only compulsory for those between the ages of 5 and 14. Facilities within the country are all state-funded and free materials are given to each child throughout their education.

Today, the education system of Sri Lanka faces many challenges as its weaknesses overpower its strengths. With a high literacy rate, it is easy to get a clouded judgment of the level of education. Overall, the quality of education is poor, with a mismatched curriculum of two different systems of private and public schools, and a substantial lack of training for teachers.

Added pressures of inefficient administration and limited government expenditure lead to difficulties in aiding children into education. Despite the compulsory requirement for 5 to 14-year-olds, only 92.2% are in full-time education, and attendance to lessons are very poor. The main reason is many children do not have a birth certificate, which means that they are technically not allowed an access to education within the country. Other reasons for poor attendance includes lack of interest or poor household backgrounds, where children are required to help their families as an alternative to education.

The Free Education Policy of 1947 enabled children to have an easier opportunity accessing education. The government spent four percent of its GDP on education, leading to mass improvements in facilities, and the level of education children receive. This was a major break-through in Sri Lanka but following weak economic conditions in the late 1960s, the government was unable to continue spending this amount of money. In 1970, the allocation for education dropped to three percent and then to less than two percent in 1977 following the introduction of Structural Adjustment policies. The quality of education deteriorated comparatively as a consequence.

Since these hard times, education reforms have been set in order to change the system and modernize it. The General Education Project-2, established in 1998, provided students with textbooks, changed the curriculum to make it more relevant and helped to develop school libraries.

While these projects and reforms have aided Sri Lanka in improving the level of education available to schoolchildren, it is still not as good as it could be. In order for education in Sri Lanka to improve, much higher levels of training need to be accessible to teachers, and schemes need to be put in place so that children who have difficulty accessing education can have equal opportunities.

– Georgia Boyle

Photo: Flickr