Resource Library

Monitoring the 20/20 Compact on Budget and Aid Restructuring in Sri Lanka

Author : Ravi Rannan-Eliya and Senagama, Dananjanee et. al.

Publisher: Institute of Policy Studies (IPS)

Place of Publish: Sri Lanka, Colombo

Year: 1999

Page Numbers: 103

Acc. No: 696

Class No: 336 MON-SL

Category: Books & Reports

Subjects: Public Finance

Type of Resource: Monograph

Languages: English

ISBN: 955-9122-75-4

In 1995, The UN hosted a summit on Social Development and as a result initiated the 20/20 approach. The 20/20 Initiative encourages governments to allocate 20 percent of their expenditure to basic social services, such as health and education. In Sri Lanka, high priority is placed on social spending, with consequent benefits in terms of human development. This emphasis has also been frequently brought up as an example of the misallocation of resources, which might have been better invested in economic development rather than social development. This publication aims to contribute to this debate both in Sri Lanka and overseas. The report outlines key issues that range from per capita expenditure on basic social services, to who benefits from these services. The scope to reallocate resources within and between sectors, ensuring that unit cost remains low and quality consistent is also highlighted. Other important areas, such as how efficiency can be improved are also emphasized in this publication.