Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS)

IPS Research Officer Usha Perera co-authored new research examining the long-term damage to Sri Lanka’s food system caused by Cyclone 'Ditwah'.

📊 Key findings show Cyclone 'Ditwah' inflicted a multi-season production shock on Sri Lanka’s agriculture, compounding existing vulnerabilities in the food system.

The study highlights how these impacts are translating into rising prices, long-term risks to nutrition and rural livelihoods, and sustained food insecurity.

🔗 Read more here -
https://www.anh-academy.org/community/blogs/cyclone-ditwah-caused-long-term-damage-to-sri-lankas-food-system

“It is now, I think for the first time, that we are seeing industrial policy and tariff reductions being spoken of as the way forward," says Dr. Dushni Weerakoon, Executive Director of IPS, speaking to the World Bank Group on 6 May 2026.

At the panel discussion, "From Growth to Jobs, Making Industrial Policy Work for South Asia", Dr. Weerakoon discussed both the risks to tariff reforms and the positive shift in Sri Lanka’s trade and industrial policy approach.

🔗 Read the full article on The Morning :
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/CNVEsQeTA0lrM1quMOyC


World Bank South Asia l World Bank Sri Lanka

‘Para-tariff reform momentum at risk of slowing’ Sri Lanka’s ongoing tariff policy reform momentum runs the risk of slowing down, due to the growing severity

Featured in The Morning 📢

The recent IPS blog on “Sri Lanka’s Competitive Edge: Intellectual Property Rights and the Power of Geographical Indications” by IPS Research Economist Dilani Mahindaratne highlights how GI can strengthen Sri Lanka's export potential.

🔗 Read the full article:
https://www.themorning.lk/articles/PAviDcDppz7iSW7cVMCP

How SL could better utilise GI for Ceylon Cinnamon Geographical Indication (GI) recognition for agricultural products can improve global recognition for exports while ensuring niche market reach and premium prices, especially by differentiating the certified products in the international market.

📢 Now featured in the 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗿

A timely analysis by IPS Research Fellow Dr. Erandathie Pathiraja on redesigning Sri Lanka’s energy resilience amid droughts, climate risks, and economic shocks, highlighting why diversified, adaptive energy systems are critical for long-term stability.

🔗 Read the full article:
https://www.sundayobserver.lk/2026/05/03/impact/76584/powering-through-droughts-and-crises-redesigning-sri-lankas-energy-resilience/

Powering through droughts and crises: Redesigning Sri Lanka’s energy resilience - Sunday Observer Sri Lanka’s energy insecurity is structural, rooted in climatevolatile hydropower, fossil fuel dependence, and an ageing grid. Solar adoption has grown quickly, but grid saturation and high storage costs limit…

🍃 Tea alone accounted for 𝟱𝟭% of Sri Lanka's agricultural exports and 𝟭𝟬.𝟵% of total exports in recent years.

Published to mark , read our latest blog by Dilani Hirimuthugodage, Research Economist at IPS, on how stronger intellectual property rights and targeted GI reforms can build a more resilient, value‑driven export economy.

🔗 Read more: https://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2026/04/30/sri-lankas-competitive-edge-intellectual-property-rights-and-the-power-of-geographical-indications/

In a recent article featured in Development Asia, our Research Economist Sunimalee Madurawala examines how cross-border trade, marketing, and regional supply chains are reshaping diets across .

IPS' ongoing collaboration with SHAPE Asia helps strengthen evidence, advocacy, and policy action to improve food environments across the region.

🔗Read how regional cooperation can make healthy diets more accessible and sustainable for all: https://development.asia/insight/why-regional-action-essential-improve-food-environments-asia?auHash=uj0A1oVWjs-7UFUofzUJ7Opwy2FCJFEgceM56Rqs6yw

Why Regional Action Is Essential to Improve Food Environments in Asia Cross-border trade, marketing, and supply chains are reshaping diets across Asia, limiting the effectiveness of national policies.

On 23-24 April 2026, Dr Bilesha Weeraratne, Research Fellow and Head of Migration and Urbanisation Policy Research at IPS, contributed as a presenter and discussant at the policy dialogues convened by the International Labour Organization in Colombo on social protection for migrant care and domestic workers.

Dr. Weeraratne highlighted a key structural challenge facing migrant workers:
"𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗱𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝘁"

🔗Read more:
https://www.ips.lk/ips-contributes-to-policy-dialogues-on-social-protection-for-migrant-domestic-workers/

☀️ Sri Lanka’s rooftop solar adoption has grown rapidly, reaching about 9.5% of power supply in 2025, but grid saturation and high storage costs are slowing further expansion.

Read our latest blog by IPS Research Fellow Dr. Erandathie Pathiraja, to understand how practical policy fixes can strengthen energy resilience before the next crisis.

🔗 Read more: https://www.ips.lk/talkingeconomics/2026/04/28/powering-through-droughts-and-crises-redesigning-sri-lankas-energy-resilience/

Sri Lanka’s insecurity is a structural challenge driven by climate volatility, fuel dependence, and an ageing grid, says IPS Research Fellow Dr Erandathie Pathiraja, stressing the need for low‑cost fixes to build resilience.

🔗 Read full article here:
https://themorningmoney.com/articles/cmogprw0p0000356qq2n7bn6n

Powering through Droughts and Crises: Redesigning Sri Lanka's Energy Resilience Sri Lanka has lived with energy insecurities for decades.

“Sri Lanka recorded $ 815 million in remittance inflows in March, among the highest monthly totals on record” says IPS Research Fellow, Dr Bilesha Weeraratne in an interview with The Morning.

🔗 Read full article here: https://www.themorning.lk/articles/m19D5wSXmMCLpNjoj53Q

What the ME crisis means for SL’s labour stability Sri Lanka’s heavy reliance on the Middle East for foreign employment places its labour market in a vulnerable position if tensions in the region continue.

📢Come join our team!

We’re looking for a Finance & Administrative Assistant to support IPS's financial and administrative functions.

If you have a background in accounting or finance and are looking to be part of a renowned economic research organisation, this role is for you.

🗓️ Apply by 26 April 2026

📧 [email protected]

🔗 Read more: https://www.ips.lk/about-us/careers-at-ips/