Annual Report 2005 - Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka

IPS Publications__Publications of 2005South Asia After The Quota System: Impact of The MFA Phase-OutEdited by Saman KelegamaInternational Economic Policy Series, October 2005This book shows the preparatory work done by the South Asian countries forthe post 2005 quota phase-out period and measures taken by them to face theglobal challenge. It also highlights the new issues in global trade in the context ofmaintaining competitiveness of Textile and Clothing (T&C) of the South Asianregion. The book consists of nine chapters which include five South Asian casestudies (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal). It also covers newmarket access issues such as social protection, decent work, Generalized System ofPreferences-Plus scheme, and many others. The material in the book will be ofinterest to policy makers, academia, and those actively engaged and working in theT&C industry.IPS: Sri Lanka State of the Economy: 2005October 2005The ‘State of the Economy 2005’ report offers an analysis of key indicatorsof Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic performance as well as developments in theglobal economy. In the backdrop of the massive human and asset losses resultingfrom the tsunami of 26 December 2004, a slowdown in the pace of reforms and aballooning oil import bill, Sri Lanka saw a growth rate of 5.6 per cent in 2005. Thereport notes that a weakening of the macroeconomic environment – manifested ina persistent build up of inflationary pressure from mid-2004 – will require thatappropriate policies be adopted to confront and resolve growing structuralimbalances if the country is to ensure an effective post-tsunami recovery.Decentralization and Provincial Finance in Sri Lanka: 2004 - An UpdateD D M WaidyasekeraGovernance Series No. 8, November 2005This publication analyses the fiscal and financial issues pertaining to theProvincial administrative system including the relative insignificance andinadequacy of the revenue sources devolved to the Provinces, provincial revenuebuoyancy, the wide disparity between the different provincial administrations, thenature of provincial expenditure and the weaknesses of the prevailing grantssystem on which the Provincial Councils depend for their existence and functioning.The publication includes a list of the financial powers and functions devolved tothe provinces, those in the list reserved to the centre and the functions relating toplanning in the concurrent list as provided in the Thirteenth Amendment. It alsoincludes a summary of the recommendations made to enhance the revenueperformance of provincial administrations so as to reduce the vertical and horizontalimbalances presently prevalent.46__________ Annual Report 2005