The objective of the report is to ‘prepare a benchmark survey as at December 2000, to monitor programmes aimed at poverty alleviation in Sri Lanka.’ The benchmark survey study aims to provide information that can serve as an inventory/benchmark survey on areas such as public expenditure, credit flows to the poor, programme/policies for poverty alleviation, institutional interventions, empowerment and social mobilization, the role of non-governmental organizations and outcomes of poverty alleviation programmes.