By: Staff Writer
August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Department of National Planning within Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies has crafted the nation’s first-ever National Social Protection Policy. To ensure the policy is effectively implemented, a Technical Committee has been set up under the ministry to provide the necessary technical expertise.
Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena emphasized that the policy was developed through a highly participatory process, involving all key stakeholders and incorporating public feedback.
The policy defines social protection as a collection of policies and programs designed to help individuals and communities manage risks and uncertainties, shield them from poverty and inequality, and improve access to economic opportunities throughout their lives.
The core objectives of social protection are to enhance resilience, equity, and opportunity—achieved through various instruments categorized into key pillars: social assistance, social care, social insurance, and labor market and productive inclusion programs.
Social assistance supports vulnerable groups lacking adequate support.Social care involves activities and resources aimed at improving the well-being of individuals, families, and society as a whole.
Social insurance provides government-mandated coverage against risks like old age, disability, the death of the primary income earner, and various health and economic shocks.
Labor market and productive inclusion include both passive and active interventions that align with the decent work agenda.
The policy is guided by principles of equity, inclusivity, and sustainability, ensuring efficient and effective allocation of resources to reduce poverty and social exclusion, ultimately fostering a society where everyone has the chance to succeed.
The primary goal of the National Social Protection Policy is to establish a system that provides all citizens with access to appropriate social protection throughout their lives.
Additionally, the policy aims to offer strategic direction for developing a well-coordinated and harmonized social protection system, engaging stakeholders from the government, private sector, and non-governmental organizations to ensure comprehensive social protection for all.
President Wickremesinghe, in his role as Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies Minister, submitted the policy for Cabinet approval, which was granted on July 15, 2024.
Historically, Sri Lanka has implemented various social protection initiatives since gaining independence. However, these efforts were neither conceptualized nor managed as a unified sector, leading to the absence of a holistic national vision, policy, or strategy for social protection.
There had not even been a standardized government definition of social protection in Sri Lanka.The lack of comprehensive policy guidance and an integrated strategic framework has been identified as a primary reason for the challenges in the current social protection system.
This has led to numerous issues, including gaps in beneficiary coverage and the adequacy of benefits. Fragmented programs, schemes, institutions, and products have also contributed to less-than-optimal developmental outcomes. The National Social Protection Policy seeks to address and rectify these weaknesses.
