ODI and CEPA-led study urges bold reforms for inclusive development

■New Growth Report charts path for Sri Lanka's economic revival

- BY AMIRA CADER

A new report released recently by the Independent Growth Study Group presents a comprehensive roadmap for Sri Lanka's economic recovery and long-term development, as the country looks to emerge from its deepest economic crisis in decades.

Titled 'Sustaining Transformative Growth in Sri Lanka 2025-2030,' the study was produced by a team of nine leading economists and development experts under the guidance of ODI Global and the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA). The report lays out six key policy areas needed to support inclusive and sustainable growth: macroeconomic stability, global trade integration, labour and capital market reforms, targeted sectoral strategies, poverty reduction, and political consensus.

The study commends Sri Lanka's recent progress in stabilising its economy and reducing inflation but warns that these gains remain fragile unless accompanied by deeper structural reforms. It emphasises the urgency of tackling persistent poverty and low productivity through a shift towards high-value sectors and modernised governance.