IPS conference to discuss how Sri Lanka can stay on growth expressway

The Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS) will hold its Annual National Conference titled ‘How can Sri Lanka stay on the growth expressway’ on Wednesday, 7 November 2012 at the IPS Auditorium 100/20, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7.

The event will also see the launch of the IPS State of the Economy 2012 Report. The sessions will feature IPS researchers and leading experts who will discuss various issues under the theme and put forward vital policy messages.

The morning session will focus on ‘Bridging disparities across sectors, regions and population groups with IPS Research Fellow Dr. Nisha Arunatilake as the moderator. This session will have presentations titled ‘Health and education services for development’ by IPS’s Sunimalee Madurawala, ‘Migration and development’ by IPS’s Roshini Jayaweera and ‘Coping with risks’ by IPS’s Ayodya Galappattige.

This will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session. The panel will comprise of Dr. Athula Ranasinghe, Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Colombo, Padmini Rathnayake, Coordinating Secretary to the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Labour Relations, Dr. Indra Tudawe, Head/Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Unit UNICEF, Dr. Rizvi Zaheed, Managing Director of Hayleys Agro and Sathis de Mel, Executive Director, Arthacharya Foundation.

In the afternoon, IPS Research Economist Anushka Wijesinha will moderate the session on ‘Private enterprise growth FDI, innovation and competitiveness,’ with presentations on ‘Gearing Skills for Growth’ by IPS’s Priyanka Jayawardena, ‘Creating an Attractive Climate for FDIs by IPS’s Raveen Ekanayake and ‘Supporting Private Enterprise Growth’ by IPS’s  Chandana Karunaratne.

A panel discussion and a Q&A session will follow with panellists Suresh Shah, Vice Chairman, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, Rajitha Kariyawsam, Managing Director, HayCarb Ltd., Diaretou Gaye, Country Director, World Bank, Sri Lanka, Prof. Ajith de Alwis, Professor of the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Moratuwa, W.A. Wijewardena, Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka and Ram Rajamohan, President, Trincomalee District Chamber of Commerce.