Turning Evidence into Lasting Impact

2026

March 2026 — Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Unbundling

On 9 March 2026, Sri Lanka ended the CEB’s 56-year vertically integrated monopoly over electricity generation, transmission, and distribution — a reform Advocata has advocated for since 2019. The CEB was restructured into 6 separate, transparent successor companies, with cost-reflective tariffs now mandated by law and a clear pathway opened for private sector investment. The reform now serves 7 million consumers through a competitive structure, ending decades of billions in annual losses absorbed by the Treasury and the economy-wide costs the monopoly imposed on all industries.

2025

Gaming Industry Regulation

Published Sri Lanka’s first comprehensive Policy Framework and Regulatory Bill Recommendations for the Gaming Industry, presenting it to the Committee on Public Finance. Parliament has drawn on Advocata’s independent insights in shaping new regulations and confirmed the recommendations will be reflected in the drafting process.

2025

 Electricity Act Reform

Made an evidence-based case against amending the Electricity Act, engaging directly with the finance minister to raise concerns and hold outcome-focused discussions with the Energy Sector Reform Secretariat.

2025

Contributing to bringing down Taxes on Sanitary Napkins

Contributed in building public opinion on tax revisions on sanitary napkins to 62% from 102%. [Relief on 5.7 million women]

2023

Winner — Best Crisis/Disaster Assistance Award, ACEF Asian Leaders Awards

Advocata Institute’s “Reform Now: Let’s Reset Sri Lanka” campaign won the Best Crisis / Disaster Assistance Award at ACEF Asian Leaders Awards 2023.

2022

Winner - 2022 Asia Liberty Award, Atlas Network

The award recognised Advocata’s impact as a leading voice in Sri Lanka, promoting free-market reforms as a means of alleviating the country’s economic crisis. Advocata Institute has been instrumental in a range of policy reforms, including abolishing price controls, public advocacy for debt restructuring and engaging with international organisations like the IMF and leading the conversation on the costs of Sri Lanka’s State-owned enterprises and border taxes.

2022

Winner - Templeton Freedom Awards in 2022

Awarded by Atlas Network, this prestigious international award recognizes exceptional and innovative contributions to advancing free enterprise and public policies that promote prosperity. Advocata Institute received the award in recognition of its impactful advocacy for market-based economic reforms during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.

2018

Winner — Think Tank Shark Tank Asian Championship

Dhananath Fernando won the 2018 Think Tank Shark Tank Asian Championship, in Jakarta, pitching a research study on the "Cost of Construction and Protectionism," which highlighted Sri Lanka’s steep border taxes on construction materials, including 108% on tiles, 90% on construction steel, and 72% on sanitary ware, and how lowering them could benefit over 10 million Sri Lankans seeking to build homes.

2021

Advocata Institute’s Sathya Karunarathne won the Asia Think Tank Shark Tank Competition 2021

Hosted byk Atlas Networ, as part of the Asia Liberty Forum, this regional competition recognizes innovative and high-impact public policy proposals from think tanks across Asia. Sathya won for her proposal to strengthen women’s economic freedom and property rights in Sri Lanka.

2019

"Best Policy Study/Report Produced by a Think Tank" Nominee, Global Go To Think Tank Index

Advocata’s report, "SOEs in Sri Lanka: Beyond Profit and Losses," was listed under the category of "Best Policy Study/Report Produced by a Think Tank" in the Global Go To Think Tank Index 2019, an independent survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania.