Sri Lankan Rupees Research Articles

Willingness-to-Pay for Blue Ecosystem Services of Natural Pools in Sri Lanka: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Ecosystem services offered by freshwater ecosystems, in the form of natural pools have not been fully realized by the public, which has led to limited attention on the conservation of these pools. This study therefore was conducted to investigate the user preferences for sustainable enhancement of recreational values of natural pools and their immediate environment. A total of 320 local users of natural pools located in Rangala and Nillambe were surveyed as the sample. A Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) was employed to elicit the preference and user Willingness to Pay (WTP). The Marginal Willingness to Pay (MWTP) for the improvement of recreational values of natural pools was estimated using a conditional logit (CL) model. Outcomes of the WTP disclosed a clear preference hierarchy for various enhancements and contributions. Users were willing to pay Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR) 297.6 to reduce the environmental damage by 50% and LKR 84.4 to raise the community income by 20%. The option to have a higher number of recreational activities was highly valued. Respondents were willing to pay a value of LKR 554.8 per year for the multiple benefits provided by the pool ecosystems. Conclusively, the study suggested that efforts to upgrade these natural pools should prioritise income generation, broadening of recreational activities and environmental conservation, in line with respondents’ inclinations.

Socio-Economic Implications of Domestic Violence in Thenmaradchi Divisional Secretariat in Jaffna District

Domestic violence against women is one of the most contemporary social issues in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to identify the socioeconomic implications of domestic violence experienced by women. All 107 women were selected in Thenmaradchi Divisional Secretariat. The mixed method research design was undertaken with the help of a questionnaire survey and interviews. The Chi-square for univariate analysis was employed to analyze quantitative data with the usage of SPSS version 21 and qualitative data were analyzed thematically using the thematic analysis. According to the results, Hinduism (98.1%) was the predominant religion and 24.3% of the respondents’ age range was 26-30 years. The majority of the victims (54.2%) were educated up to secondary educational level. Wage labour was the primary livelihood of many women and most of the respondents’ monthly income was less than 20,000 Sri Lankan Rupees. There was a significantly high status between economic domestic violence and the variables including education (p<0.000); occupation (p<0.000) and income (p<0.000). Further, financial instability, low income, financial insecurity, unemployment, debt, poverty, low level of living standards, helplessness, lack of social recognition, and lack of social support were the significant economic and social impacts on women. In addition, stress, fear, tension, low self-esteem, and eating and sleeping disorders were the major psychological impacts on women. Additionally, cultural norms, fear, and stigma often cause women to stay silent about their experiences with abuse. Most of the women used coping mechanisms to cope with their implications. The research concludes that psychological implications were the most severe implication among the participants. This study suggests that vulnerable communities should be identified and services such as counselling and legal aid should be made easily accessible.

Periodontal Health Among Pregnant Women in Sri Lanka: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe prevalence of periodontal disease among Sri Lankan women in the reproductive age group is considerably high. The present study aimed to assess the oral hygiene status, gingival status, and the associated factors among pregnant women attending community Antenatal Clinics (ANC) in Sri Lanka, against the challenging sociopolitical backdrop.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted among 576 pregnant women attending community ANCs within a specific Medical Officer of Health area in Sri Lanka. The clinics were selected using a two‐stage cluster sampling method with probability proportionate to size technique. Pregnant women were recruited from each clinic using a systematic sampling method. Data was collected with an interviewer‐administered questionnaire and an oral health examination form.ResultsPoor oral hygiene was detected among over 60% of pregnant women. Moderate‐to‐severe gingivitis was seen among 23.3% of them. Nearly 67% of the participants demonstrated limited knowledge of periodontal diseases. Approximately, 67% of them were unemployed, and 32.5% had a monthly income of less than 40,000 Sri Lankan rupees. Regression analysis revealed that the trimester, socioeconomic factors, frequency of dental visits, recency of full mouth scaling, and knowledge of periodontal diseases predicted the oral hygiene status, and age, trimester, frequency of brushing, recency of full mouth scaling, and knowledge of periodontal diseases were significant predictors of gingival health. Particularly, individuals with a lower socioeconomic status experienced both poor oral hygiene and gingival health.ConclusionThe suboptimal oral hygiene and gingival health, limited access to dental care, and inadequate periodontal health knowledge, highlight an urgent need for interventions such as empowering young women through educational and employment initiatives.

National and provincial prevalence of self-reported diabetes: results from the cross-sectional Demographic and Health Survey in Sri Lanka–2016

IntroductionDiabetes is a major global public health burden. The objective of this study was to estimate the national and provincial-level prevalence of self-reported diabetes and establish the demographic risk factors...

Factors Affecting Exchange Rate Variability in Sri Lanka: An Autoregressive Distributed Lag Approach

A free float in the exchange rate has been recorded in the Sri Lankan rupee over the past few years affecting the Sri Lankan economy to a significant extent. This study intended to examine the factors affecting the exchange rate variability in Sri Lanka during the period from 1991 to 2020. For the study secondary data were obtained from the World Bank and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The exchange rate was considered as the dependent variable while inflation rate, merchandise trade, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, foreign direct investments, balance of payments and external debt were considered as independent variables. Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test was used to examine the stationary of the time series data, and Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) was adopted to figure out the long-run and short-run relationship between the variables. The results of ARDL bound test confirmed that there is a co-integration relationship between the variables, and the results of the error correction model revealed the significant impact of inflation rate, merchandise trade, Gross Domestic Product growth, foreign direct investments, balance of payments and external debt on exchange rate in both short run and long run. In the short run, balance of payment and GDP have no significant impact on the changes in exchange rate, and the results confirmed that there is a Exchange rate indicates negative relationships with external debt, inflation, and merchandise trade. Finally, the results confirmed the exchange rate is in a negative relationship with FDI and GDP in the long run.

Growth-Led Tourism and the Role of Exchange Rate

We re-visit the growth-led tourism hypothesis to examine the role of the exchange rate in the nexus. Using yearly data on Sri Lanka from 1995 to 2018, preliminary tests reveal a long-run association between tourism receipts, economic growth, and the official exchange rate. Consistent robustness results from a battery of econometric techniques validate that the connection holds autonomously and interactively. Conclusions drawn from the linear models suggest that a percentage change in economic growth increases tourism by 0.8% to 1.2%. Likewise, the exchange rate boosts tourism by 0.006% to 0.008%, on average, ceteris paribus. For the most part, the interaction of the exchange rate with economic growth upholds the "growth-led tourism" hypothesis. We also find that the results hold across the conditional distribution of tourism. Additional evidence from the margin plot reveals that the effect of economic growth on tourism is positive as the Sri Lankan Rupee depreciates. The upward trend of the plot within the 95% confidence interval shows that currency depreciation enhances the impact of economic growth on tourism. These are novel contributions to the literature as it suggests that currency depreciation in Sri Lanka is pro-tourism. Policy recommendations are discussed.

Prevalence andDistribution ofKnown Associated Factors ofBurnout among Military Personnel ofSri Lanka Army: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Burnout is a psychological condition that has a detrimental effect on occupational and mental health. The military is a known community that is vulnerable to burnout. Burnout risk may have increased over the past 10 years due to the accumulation of recognized burnout correlates in the Sri Lankan military context. Sri Lanka Army is acknowledged as the country's main defense force to combat any impending threat. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize and control mental health issues like burnout. This study aims to describe the prevalence and distribution of recognized factors associated with burnout among Sri Lankan Army soldiers. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 1692 Army personnel to describe the known associated factor profile and prevalence of burnout. The multistage sampling method that contained random, cluster, and systematic sampling steps was used. Validated Maslach burnout inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) Sinhala version, Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory (Brief-COPE), and a structured questionnaire on associated factors of burnout were included in a self-administered questionnaire. Sizes of each associated variable were calculated as frequency and percentage. Relevant central tendencies (mean or median) and distributions (confidence interval or interquartile range) of important variables were calculated. Crude and adjusted prevalence was calculated using validity properties obtained from prior criterion validity assessment. The response rate was 94% (n = 1490). The mean age was 30.7 (SD ± 6.23) years. The female participant percentage was 9.4% (n = 149). Half of participants (n = 813, 51.1%) were Lance corporals and Corporals. Nearly 80% (n = 1324, 83.2%) of study population gets less than Sri Lankan Rupees (SLR) 50,000 as final monthly salary, and three-fourth (n = 1187, 74.7%) did not have money savings. Faced difficulty because of resource deficiency (n = 1099, 69.1%), poor job control (n = 669, 42.1%), job ambiguity (n = 869, 55%), intention to leave (n = 842, 53%), and history of been absent (n = 298, 18.7%) were found to be much prevalent. The crude prevalence of probable burnout among military personnel of Sri Lanka Army was estimated to be 28% (95% CI, 23.13-32.87), and the adjusted prevalence of burnout was 23.2% (95% CI, 18.9-27.5). High prevalence and high density of known associated factors of burnout would adversely influence the achievement of organizational goals of Sri Lanka Army. Early attention and proper action are strongly recommended.

Investigating tourism and exchange rate dynamics on economic growth in Sri Lanka

ABSTRACT We re-examine the tourism-growth relationship to interrogate the role of the exchange rate as a future driver of the nexus. Using quarterly data on Sri Lanka from 1995 to 2018, preliminary tests reveal a long-run association among economic growth, tourism expenditures and the official exchange rate. Conclusions drawn from the linear models suggest that a percentage change in tourism expenditures contributes to an increase (between 0.46% and 0.52%) in growth. Likewise, the interaction with the exchange rate improves economic growth more so at the conditional distribution of economic growth (50th and 75th quartile). Additional evidence from the margin plot reveals that the effect of tourism on economic growth is positive as the Sri Lankan Rupee depreciates. From the non-linear models, the influence of the exchange rate improves the net effect of tourism on growth. These are novel contributions to the literature as it suggests that currency depreciation in Sri Lanka is pro-growth. Policy recommendations are discussed.

Evaluation of Patient Related Factors, the Level of Glycemic Control; and Cost of Diabetic Medications of Patients Attending Selected Public Sector Diabetic Clinics in Sri Lanka

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a global epidemic. Globally the number of diabetic complications is increasing. Therefore, it is important to find the reasons for the escalating number of diabetic complications and associated mortality. The main objective of this study was to evaluate patients’ knowledge and level of adherence to treatments, the cost associated with diabetic medications and the level of glycemic control.Methods: This study was a pretested, structured questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey with retrospective data collection from participants’ clinic books. The questionnaire was developed to obtain data on socio-demographic variables; patients’ knowledge on disease and medicines; patients’ dietary control and adherence to the medications and non-medicinal recommendations.Results: Patients (n = 207) attending the diabetes clinics of two teaching- and two base-hospitals in Sri Lanka were taken as the sample. The majority of the participants demonstrated moderate knowledge (63%) on DM. Of the participants, 46% had moderate adherence to pharmacological and nonpharmacological recommendations of healthcare providers and 55% showed good glycemic control. The monthly average drug cost for a DM patient was 270.10 Sri Lankan Rupees (LKR). There was a significant association between participants’ knowledge and level of adherence. However, there were no significant associations between participants’ knowledge and glycemic control, or patients’ adherence and glycemic control. There was a significant knowledge gap between the patients attending Teaching- and Base-hospitals.Conclusion: The majority of the diabetic patients had either moderate or above knowledge and adherence, but their glycemic control was sub-optimal and associated with factors other than patients’ knowledge and adherence.

Direct out-of-pocket expenditure of tuberculosis treatment in intensive phase in Kalutara District, Sri Lanka

BackgroundTuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease. Financial risk protection is a key target to achieve in end TB strategy. Out-Of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) consisted of expenses bore by patients for their illnesses after subtracting third-party payments such as insurance. Despite the free health care in Sri Lanka, TB patients have to pay for various expenses (e.g., expenses for travel, food, drugs, medical investigations, and cost of accompanied person/bystander). ObjectivesThe main objective of this study was to estimate direct OOPE and find the association between direct OOPE and noncompliance to TB treatment in intensive phase. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with TB patients who were registered in Kalutara-district chest clinic for period of six months (n = 267). Interviewer-administered questionnaire (consisted of sections on socio-demographic characteristics, treatment compliance, sources and amount of OOPE, etc.) was used to collect data. Mean median, minimum, maximum and interquartile range were calculated in each component of OOPE. ResultsQuestionnaire were administered for 252 patients (male = 160, 63.5%). Mean total direct non-medical cost for one DOTS visit (without accompanied person) was 435.40 (IQR = 420.00) Sri Lankan Rupees (SLR) (i.e., 2.45 United State Dollars (USD)). A patient without an accompanying person spent 26124.00 SLR (435.40 per day into 60 days) (i.e., 146.76 USD) for transport and food during the intensive phase. During the intensive phase, the mean medical cost for one patient was 6444.66 LKR (IQR = 6400) (i.e., 36.21 USD). OOPE was not associated with noncompliance to TB treatment in intensive phase (p = 0.29). ConclusionsThere was no association between OOPE and noncompliance. The direct OOPE for TB treatment in the intensive phase was high. Therefore, it is necessary to develop strategies to reduce OOPE during TB treatment especially in intensive phase.

Investigative Study of Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka

Abstract: This paper analyses the reasons and scenario of the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka. The study examines the possible reasons for the crisis, its ongoing impact on GDP, tourism industry, and on Sri Lankan rupee against other major currencies in the world. The paper shows that Forex reserves of Sri Lanka mainly depend on Tourism revenue, thus underscoring the importance of the tourism industry. But due to current circumstances of the Covid-19 and its severe impacts leads to a high decline in tourism revenue which ultimately affects the country’s reserves. This resulted in the high depreciation in the value of the Sri Lankan rupee against other major currencies in the world. To assess if the country has enough reserves, we have used the Guidotti - Greenspan rule and we found that since the Covid pandemic has begun, Sri Lanka has been unable to follow this rule and the ratio of reserves to short term debt is continuously decreasing. The external sector of Sri Lanka is also not performing well due to the sharp decline in exports. The IMF has approved a bailout package through its Special Drawing Rights to get over this crisis. Therefore, appropriate actions must be undertaken to overcome the crisis and revive the economy

Direct and indirect costs for hospitalized patients with dengue in Southern Sri Lanka

BackgroundThe Southern Province of Sri Lanka is endemic with dengue, with frequent outbreaks and occurrence of severe disease. However, the economic burden of dengue is poorly quantified. Therefore, we conducted a cost analysis to assess the direct and indirect costs associated with hospitalized patients with dengue to households and to the public healthcare system.MethodsFrom June 2017–December 2018, we prospectively enrolled children and adults with acute dengue hospitalized at the largest, public tertiary-care (1800 bed) hospital in the Southern Province, Sri Lanka. We administered a structured questionnaire to obtain information regarding direct costs spent by households on medical visits, medications, laboratory testing, and travel for seeking care for the illness. Indirect costs lost by households were estimated by identifying the days of work lost by patients and caregivers and school days lost by children. Direct hospital costs were estimated using gross costing approach and adjusted by multiplying by annual inflation rates in Sri Lankan rupees and converted to US dollars.ResultsA total of 1064 patients with laboratory-confirmed dengue were enrolled. The mean age (SD) was 35.9 years (15.6) with male predominance (66.2%). The mean durations of hospitalization for adults and paediatric patients were 3.86 (SD = 1.51) and 4 (SD = 1.32) days, respectively. The per-capita direct cost borne by the healthcare system was 233.76 USD, and was approximately 14 times greater than the per-capita direct cost borne by households (16.29 USD, SD = 14.02). The per-capita average number of loss of working days was 21.51 (SD = 41.71), with mean per-capita loss of income due to loss of work being 303.99 USD (SD = 569.77), accounting for over 70% of average monthly income. On average, 10.88 days (SD = 10.97) of school days were missed due to the dengue episode. School misses were expected to reduce future annual income of affected children by 0.44%.ConclusionsDengue requiring hospitalization had a substantial economic burden on the public healthcare system in Sri Lanka and the affected households. These findings emphasize the importance of strengthening dengue control activities and improved use of hospital-based resources for care to reduce the economic impact of dengue in Sri Lanka.

EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL WOMEN FARMERS AND FOOD PRODUCTION IN IMBULPE DS DIVISION IN SRI LANKA: A HOUSEHOLD LEVEL ANALYSIS

Women empowerment and gender equity are two significant aspects of the sustainable development of a country. As Sri Lanka is on the way towards sustainable development, this study was conducted to identify the current situation of women farmers’ empowerment and food production in Imbulpe (Divisional Secretariat) DS division of the country. A sample of 300 women farmers was randomly selected for the study, from seven selected Grama Niladhari divisions (GN) of Imbulpe DS division. A field survey was carried out to data collection through a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire from April to July 2019. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and regression analysis were used as the data analysis methods. Results convey that most of the women farmers were middle aged, married and had two children within their family. Furthermore, most of the respondents had secondary level of education and their average family size was four, 1.25 acres was the average farm land size. They had about 16 years of experience in the field of agriculture sector. The average monthly income of the respondents was 25,000.00 LKR (Sri Lankan Rupees). Women empowerment was measured by using the models of Rahman and Naoroze (2007); Praveen and Leonhauser (2004) with necessary modifications according to the study area. Most of the women farmers were showed social empowerment aspect and political empowerment aspect reported as the least empowerment aspect according to the unit empowerment measures. Out of the socio-economic factors size of the farm land, number of agricultural training programs participated, monthly income of the family, respondents level of education and number of agricultural training programs attended were indicated significant and positive effect for the empowerment of women farmers. Accessibility of credit facilities and agricultural extension program participation showed that there was a considerable impact on food production rather than the cultivable land size and utilization of modern farming technologies for food production. Therefore, providing of timely important agricultural education and training programs, enhance awareness level of modern farming technology utilization, better micro finance programs and agricultural credit facilities will be able to upgrade the level of empowerment of women farmers in Imbulpe DS division furthermore.

Analyzing the Impact of COVID-19 on Sri Lankan Economy

COVID-19 is the communicable disease caused by the most recently discovered Corona virus. This disease was unknown to the world until the first case was identified in Wuhan, China and then it started spreading all over the world. Because of this situation the World Health Organization declared a global emergency condition due to the widespread of COVID-19 across the globe. More than 200 countries’ economy was affected by this COVID-19 pandemic. The countries which have been affected by COVID-19 are looking for a safety precaution while a few countries are doing a research to find the specific vaccine against Corona virus but now the situation has gone out of hand due to the lack of awareness and management. The present study comprehensively examines the impacts of COVID-19 on Sri Lankan economy. This study includes the impact of COVID-19 on GDP of Sri Lankan and how it has been reduced in this pandemic situation. However when comparing the GDP of Sri Lanka with the average South Asia countries it is lower than the average of South Asian countries. COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Employment in Sri Lanka as well. Sectors like hotel and restaurant, tourism and transport are the most affected by this COVID-19 breakout. Moreover, COVID-19 has drastically affected Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka, reporting a historical low in mid-March 2020. Because of the weaken performance in export and tourism, Sri Lankan rupee has sharply depreciated against major currencies in the world. The predictions reveal that there is a greater potential of increasing poverty within the country. Therefore, appropriate measures should be taken to regain the economy while controlling the spread of the pandemic.

Compliance and adherence to drug treatment on patients with chronic kidney disease in high prevalence areas of North Central Province, Sri Lanka

Background: Chronic kidney disease that cannot be explained by traditional factors such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus is called chronic kidney disease unexplained etiology. With limited evidence on the success of interventions in enhancing medication adherence, this study was designed to test patient compliance and adherence on taking medication in North Central Province in Sri Lanka.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a selected area of NCP to identify compliance, adherence. Data was collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire by visiting patients at their own residences.Results: A total of 200 people participated in this study. 92.5% of the population was involved in agriculture and 63% worked more than 1 acre of farmland. Among the selected population (74%) were not educated about the side effects of medication. 60.5% had missed taking their medicines during the prescribed time period. The entire population of the study was selected among patients having a monthly income of less than 15,000 Sri Lankan rupees. There was a statistically significant association in missing doses with land extent, patient’s income and stages of the disease.Conclusions: Non adherence and compliance to the medication is common in patients that worked in largely extended lands, were in late stages of the disease and had reduced income. Compliance and Adherence to the medication can be enhanced by proper counseling and improving patient’s knowledge about their medication.

Assessment of crop and property damage caused by Semnopithecus vetulus nestor (Bennett, 1833) (Mammalia: Primates: Cercopithecidae) in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka

In earlier times, human-monkey interactions were not a severe problem in Sri Lanka, but has recently intensified as a result of habitat fragmentation and urbanization. Due to these changes, Semnopithecus vetulus nestor has been listed among the 25 most Endangered primates. The objective of our study was to evaluate the intensity of human-S.v. nestor negative interaction by identifying the crop and property damages in villages bordering Danawkanda Forest (7.001N & 80.049E), Gampaha, Sri Lanka. We collected data using structured questionnaires interviewing households (N= 80) bordering the Danawkanda Forest from August 2014 to January 2015. Households were most affected by damage to fruits, leaves, and buds of commercially important trees (93%), followed by damage to roof tiles (76%), and frightful confrontations with the monkeys (43%). Average monthly loss per household from crop and property damage was estimated at between (Sri Lankan Rupees) LKR 2,700 and LKR 1,500. Lighting firecrackers was the most common method used by the residents (99%) to deter monkeys, where as electrified barriers were rarely used (4%). Households in close proximity to Danawkanda Forest experienced a considerable loss to their monthly income due to crop and property damage, compared to households further away. As an alternative, residents now grow ornamental plants and short trees, eliminating the structures that attract and facilitate damage by S.v. nestor. Awareness and active participation of residents, authorized government, and non-governmental organizations are needed to manage unplanned construction and agriculture plot extensions into the forest. These two factors trigger the human-wildlife negative interactions in general and are not limited just to monkeys.

The Emerging Asia Pacific Capital Markets: Sri Lanka

The capital market of Sri Lanka consists of government securities, stocks, and corporate bonds. All financial instruments have a combined value of about USD 66.3 billion as of July 2020. Government securities contribute the most, with about 63% of the economy. Government securities are issued in both Sri Lankan rupee (LKR) and foreign currency denominated securities. The current stock market formed in 1985 and was later renamed the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE). The CSE currently has two indices, and the main securities traded include ordinary and preferred shares, close-ended funds (unit trusts), and corporate debentures. Currently 287 entities are listed on the CSE, with stocks contributing 16% of the economy. The corporate bond market became active in 2013, with the introduction of incentives from the government, including the exemption of interest income received from listed debt from income and withholding taxes. The market capitalization of the listed corporate debt market reached LKR 257.9 billion in July 2020. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the CSE have focused on expanding the contributions made by corporate debt in the capital market. The CSE faces many challenges, including the need to increase corporate listings, liquidity, and foreign investor participation as well as to broaden the depth of financial instruments. A master plan has been developed with the SEC to develop the Sri Lankan capital market to be on par with global exchanges, beginning with the South Asia region. Importance has been placed on attracting global investors and developing new financial instruments. Development of capital market–related infrastructure has included measures to set up and implement a risk management system, a delivery versus payment settlement method, and a central counterparty clearing house. The SEC has also facilitated the introduction of real estate investment trusts (REITs), as a forward-looking step in its market development strategy.

Analysing the Impact of COVID-19 on Sri Lanka Economy

COVID-19 is the ongoing menace to the all over the world, labelled as pandemic and worst economic shock in recent history. Sri Lanka is one of the most vulnerable middle-income countries suffer most during this novel virus outbreak. The economic impact of COVID-19 can expect substantially both direct and indirect. Sri Lankan economy mainly depends on the foreign trade. This paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on the Sri Lankan economy and specific objectives are to assess the impact of COVID-19 using economic indicators, to find out the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on the tourism, agriculture and apparel and textile sector and to find out the solutions and recommendations to revitalize the Sri Lankan economy in future. This research study is based on the secondary data such as published research articles, Sri Lankan reports and newspaper articles. The outcomes uncovered that there is a tremendous effect due to COVID-19 on the Sri Lankan economy. Because, China is one of the major country linked with Sri Lanka in tourism, investment and many agreements. It is the second largest source market for Sri Lanka in terms of tourism and imports and the main supplier of raw materials for textiles also. Therefore, COVID-19 in China has been caused a significant impact on Sri Lankan economy. And also there is many ongoing trades with USA, UK and European countries as well. It is also affected by COVID-19 pandemic due to decreased demand for exports. Demand for the tourism is dropped now. There is global travel restriction for foreign passengers from mid-March in Sri Lanka due to the closed of Sri Lanka’s border and travel restrictions between the districts. There is a considerable amount of Sri Lankan employers have been terminated in Middle East countries. It will affect the foreign income and Sri Lankan rupee is considerably depreciated against US dollar and reached. We can conclude that Sri Lanka is the most susceptible middle income country due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, proactive policy measures should be undertaken to mitigate the economic slowdown in Sri Lanka.

Analysis the Impact of COVID-19 on Sri Lanka Economy

The global pandemic and how impact of COVID-19 on Sri Lanka Economy are key concept linked to the subject under discussion. COVID-19 is the ongoing menace to the all over the world, labelled as pandemic and worst economic shock in recent history. Sri Lanka is one of the most vulnerable middle- income countries suffer most during this novel virus outbreak. The economics impact of COVID-19 using economics indicators, to find out the impact of COVID-19outbreak GDP, Tourism, poverty, household income, Exchange Rate, Remittance to find out the solution and recommendation to revitalize the Sri Lankan economy in future. this Research study is based on secondary data such as published research article, WHO statement , Central Bank reports, UNICEF magazine , Sri Lankan report and newspaper article. We can study in the Gross domestic product (GDP) in our country ,how to reduce in GDP & what area include In GDP. After can identify tourism, Poverty, House holder income , exchange rate and finally remittance. The outcomes uncovered that there is a tremendous effect due to COVID-19 on the Sri Lankan economy. Because China one is of the major country linked with Sri Lanka in tourism .It is the second largest source market for SL in term of tourism and imports and the main supplier of raw materials for textile also. Therefor COVID-19 chains has been caused significant impact on Sri Lankan economy. and also there us many ongoing trade with USA,UK and European countries as well. It is also impacted by COVID-19 pandemic due to decrease demand export, demand for the tourism is dropped now. There is a global travel restriction for foreign passengers from mid-March in SL due to the closed of SL’s border. There is considerable amount of Sri Lankan employers have been terminated in Middle East countries. It will affect the foreign income and Sri Lankan rupee is considerably depreciated against US dollar and reached to s 187.79 . We can conclude that Sri Lanka is the most susceptible middle income country du to the impact of COVID19 pandemic. Therefor proactive policy measures should be undertaken to mitigates the economic slowdown in Sri Lanka.

Threats and Opportunities of the COVID 19 on Tourism Industry in Sri Lanka and South Asian Region

Covid 19 Global pandemic has now brought the entire socio-economic structures in to a standstill state all over the world. It has already challenged the global operations of several business sectors. Time has come to rethink how to recover and regain of the economy, employment and business functions with a fresh beginning in most of the worsened economic sectors. South Asia (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka; Afghanistan and the Maldives) with a population of 1.8 billion has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to poor public health infrastructure, pervasive informality and poor coverage of social protection. The key sectors such as MSMEs, tourism and labour-intensive exports such as readymade garments have been most adversely impacted, leading to loss of jobs for the millions of people in the sub-region. The economic growth has come to a grinding halt and the threat of rising incidence of poverty, hunger and inequality is real. This sudden fall in tourism industry have created severe economic and social consequences within and beyond tourism in the region. Sri Lanka is a country with open economy, has hit badly under this circumstances, in particularly the Sri Lankan export market. Sri Lankan Rupee is depreciating and U.S Dollar has increased to Rs.197/= by January 2021. Total export of Sri Lanka in 2019 was $16.14Bn which comprised $11.94Bn from Merchandise exports and $4.2Bn from service sector. The services sector revenue generation was mainly from the tourism industry which amounts to $3.6Bn during 2019. However this was 18% drop compares to previous year which was $4.2Bn in 2018, following the Easter Sunday attack in April 2019. As a result of Covid – 19 global pandemic outbreaks, many countries imposed travel restrictions and locked down no of cities/countries. Sri Lankan government imposed Island wide curfew on 20^th March 2020 resulting tourism industry dropped to the bottom while crippling the Sri Lankan economy. For Sri Lanka, tourism sector’s contribution towards countries development is been quite considerable. This paper discuss the present situation, how to recapture the tourism market and to create new opportunities for future growth in this foreign currency earning very important sector in Sri Lanka as well as in South Asian Region.