Domestic workers in Sri Lanka have been a significant part of the paid care eco-system, and have long suffered from poor working conditions caused by many economic and social barriers. Prior to the establishment of specialized child care, and elderly care agencies which are still limited to urban Sri Lanka, domestic workers made up almost all of the paid care sector in the country.
Here is the link to the WPAN Policy Brief on Informal Employment With a Focus on Domestic Workers in Sri Lanka
The Women’s Policy Action Network hosted a conference on the 20th of March 2024, at Courtyard by Marriott on the topic Closing the Divide on Women's Access through Women's Access to Finance. The conference featured a panel discussion on the above topic with panelists who are experts in the relative conversations. The panel discussion covered topics such as the regulation of the microfinance sector in Sri Lanka, and the importance of financial consumer protection.
This discussion was supported by the Kingdom of the Netherlands and facilitated by the Advocata Institute.
Video to the full discussion can be accessed here
The policy brief on Closing The Divide Through Women’s Access To Finance can be accessed here
The presentation can be accessed here
Financial inclusion is the access individuals and businesses have to useful and affordable financial products and services that meet their needs, such as for transactions, payments, savings, credit and insurance. They also must be delivered in a responsible and sustainable way promoting engagement in the formal financial sector. Access to affordable finance aims to enhance living standards, increase income, stimulate business investment, reduce unemployment, and foster economic growth by expanding financial networks and reducing barriers to entry.
Here is the link to the WPAN Policy Brief on Closing the Divide through Women’s Access to Finance
The Advocata Institute hosted an online discussion on Zoom with Prof. Ranjith Bandara, (SLPP), Prof. Ashu Marasinghe (UNP), Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando ( NPP), Dr. Harsha de Silva (SJB) moderated by Dhananath Fernando (COO, Advocata Institute) and Sathya Karunarathne (Research Executive, Advocata Institute) on their take on the economy and their proposed economic policies for a prosperous Sri Lanka post-General Election 2020.
Click here to access the opening presentation by Dhananath Fernando and Sathya Karunarathne
Watch this video on Youtube
PRESS RELEASE
Originally covered in Ceylon Today
The fourth installment in a series of online events centering on the Sri Lankan economy in light of Covid-19 explored the way forward for Sri Lanka’s banking and financial sector.
The discussion was moderated by Murtaza Jafferjee (CEO, JB Securities and Chairperson, Advocata), and the panelists were Yvette Fernando (Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka), Manil Jayesinghe (Senior Partner, Ernst & Young), Roshan Abeygoonewardena (Chairman, The Finance Houses Association- Sri Lanka) and Jonathan Alles (Managing Director/ CEO, Hatton National Bank).
Yvette Fernando, (Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka) emphasised that banking is vital for healthy economic development. The expectation of the government is that there will be a slack period and that public welfare will have to be provided at this juncture. By providing early debt relief, the hope is that things will get back to normal, and cash flow will start to come in.
Jonathan Alles (Managing Director/ CEO, Hatton National Bank) spoke on how the new norm will be to go digital in 2020. This switch to digital platforms should be something that is continued, even post-Covid. The panel also touched on some of the practical issues the sector is facing. As stated by Roshan Abeygoonewardena (Chairman, The Finance Houses Association- Sri Lanka), about 66% of their branches are located outside the western province. During curfew and non curfew period, all out-station branches were opened for about 2-3 hours during the 6-hour lift of curfew, in order to provide banking services to customers.
Manil Jayesinghe (Senior Partner, Ernst & Young) touched on the macro perspective, given that most major economies in the world will be facing a contraction, factors like accounting standards are of greater importance; they would reassure and attract investors in the country.
Advocata hosted a live discussion with Yvette Fernando (Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka), Manil Jayesinghe (President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka), Roshan Abeygoonewardena (Chairman, Finance Houses Association of Sri Lanka), Jonathan Alles (CEO, Hatton National Bank); moderated by Murtaza Jafferjee (Chair, Advocata Institute) on the impact of COVID-19 on Sri Lanka's Banking and Financial Sector.
Click here to access the opening presentation by Murtaza Jafferjee
Watch this video on Youtube
Published in The Morning, Daily FT, Biz English Adaderana, Ceylon Today, Business News.lk, and The Island
Advocata Institute is hosting a panel discussion with leaders in the banking and financial sector, the fourth in a series of events that center around the economy and Covid-19. The panellists at this event will be Yvette Fernando (Assistant Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka), Manil Jayesinghe (Senior Partner, Ernst & Young), Roshan Abeygoonewardena (Chairman, The Finance Houses Association- Sri Lanka) and Jonathan Alles (Managing Director/ CEO, Hatton National Bank). The panel discussion will be moderated by Murtaza Jafferjee (CEO, JB Securities and Chairperson, Advocata). The discussion will explore the current challenges faced by the sector and the road to recovery, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The online panel discussion will be hosted on Zoom and live-streamed via Advocata Institute's Facebook Page and other partner channels on the 1st of May from 11.00 AM onwards.
Register now: www.advocata.org/events (Limited slots available to join the zoom call)
Send us your questions via slido.com. Event Code: #COVIDLK