Development Strategies, Welfare Regime and Poverty Reduction in Sri Lanka (Country Overview Paper 7) (Draft)

Sri Lanka's achievements in human development indicate the success of various social welfare policies followed by the country’s governments. This was despite a low per capita income and low levels of economic development. However, it is argued that the Sri Lanka’s high achievements in human development conceal problems with the social development in the country. This paper aims to examine the country's development strategy with a historical perspective and a special emphasis on social development and its evolution over the years.