SRI LANKA'S CURRENT GROWTH LEVEL INSUFFICIENT TO CREATE JOBS WORLD BANK EXPERTS SAY

One million Sri Lankans to enter the job market in the next decade World Bank predicts three to four per cent growth for this year

- By KELUM BANDARA

Sri Lanka's current economic growth rates will not be sufficient to create jobs for one million people entering the workforce in the next decade, a Leading World Bank economist said.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mirror, World Bank Lead Economist for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Arvind Nair said about a million Sri Lankans will enter the workforce over the next decade, and if the growth rates continue the way they are, the number of new jobs created will be significantly lower than what is needed.

"So we are looking at a real jobs gap if growth remains slow. That's why we need the private sector to invest and create jobs," he said.

The World Bank has predicted three to four per cent growth for this year.