Annual Report 2005 - Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka
Annual Report 2005 - Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka
Annual Report 2005 - Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka
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IPS Research ThemesPost Tsunami Reconstruction & DisasterManagementThe tsunami that hit <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>’s shores on 26 th December 2004 was <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>’s worst natural disaster inliving memory. Over 36,000 people died, over 100,000 houses were damaged or destroyed and overhalf a million people were displaced. <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong> and the international community responded with a hugemobilization <strong>of</strong> funds, humanitarian relief and reconstruction activities. While these large reconstructionefforts provided the much needed support, it also created new economic challenges. Macroeconomic concernsincluded inflation, while many micro interventions in the housing and livelihoods sector did not sufficientlyfactor in the larger economic context. Disaster management alsobecame a high political priority with the creation <strong>of</strong> a new Ministry.The IPS worked with key agencies in the government, donor andNGO community to highlight the more strategic economicchallenges and opportunities to “build back better” after thedevastation.HighlightsFocus on Strategic Economic Challenges andOpportunities in the Post-Tsunami <strong>Policy</strong>ContextPublications in <strong>2005</strong>Steele, Paul (ed.), “Phoenixfrom Ashes? Economic <strong>Policy</strong>Challenges and Opportunitiesfor Post-Tsunami <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>”,IPS Working Paper No. 7IPS Research Team, “Listeningto Those Who Lost: Survey andAnalysis <strong>of</strong> Rebuilding andRelocation <strong>of</strong> TsunamiAffected Households in <strong>Sri</strong><strong>Lanka</strong>”IPS research in this area highlighted the lack <strong>of</strong> a more strategic Jayasuriya, S., P. Steele and D.and medium term approach to many <strong>of</strong> the post tsunami economic Weerakoon, “Post TsunamiRecovery: Issues andchallenges and opportunities. In April <strong>2005</strong>, IPS published aChallenges in <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>”,working paper titled, “Phoenix from Ashes? Economic <strong>Policy</strong>Asian Development BankChallenges and Opportunities for Post-Tsunami <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>” . This <strong>Institute</strong>, Discussion Paper No.was one <strong>of</strong> the first overviews with clear recommendations, focusing 39 (in collaboration withon the economic issues <strong>of</strong> the tsunami relief and reconstruction Malathy Knight-John andefforts and plans for risk management strategies for the future. Nisha Arunatilake)This publication sold over 300 copies and has since become widelyquoted.Forthcoming PublicationsThe IPS in collaboration with the Asian Development BankSteele, Paul (ed.), “Livelihoodsin Post-Tsunami <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>:<strong>Institute</strong> (ADBI), Tokyo, Japan undertook a more detailed‘Building Back Better?’”macroeconomic analysis jointly with the Asian Economics Centreat the University <strong>of</strong> Melbourne. The aim <strong>of</strong> this joint study on“Post Tsunami Recovery: Issues and Challenges in <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>” was to develop a report setting out a set <strong>of</strong>policy recommendations to address the medium to long term issues arising from the tsunami for the consideration<strong>of</strong> the government and the public. Key members <strong>of</strong> the IPS team were hosted at the ADBI during the period28 August - 12 September to finalize the report and made a presentation on “Issues and Challenges forRecovery in Post Tsunami <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>” on 8 September.The final report <strong>of</strong> the study titled “Post Tsunami Recovery: Issues and Challenges in <strong>Sri</strong> <strong>Lanka</strong>” was launchedat the workshop on “Post Tsunami Recovery: One Year On” organized by the IPS during 1-2 December inColombo. The report was presented to the Prime Minister, Hon. Ratnasiri Wickramanayake, the then Minister11__________ <strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2005</strong>