In the recent past, Sri Lanka has made considerable socio-economic progress. The country recently achieved a GDP of USD $1600 and was elevated to the middle-income country category.

Along with a high HDI, Sri Lanka is also well within reach of attaining almost all the MDGs by 2015. In fact, we have over achieved some of the goals and are looking forward to a MDG+ strategy. According to the latest statistics available from the Household Income Expenditure Survey (2006/2007), of the Department of Census and Statistics, the figures are very encouraging at the national level: Notwithstanding these achievements, statistics reveal that there are major variations and many localized areas, in the country, are below the national average with respect to several indicators. This includes the estate and plantation sector, conflict-affected areas, and underserved settlements in urban areas. At present, UNDP is supporting the Government in preparation of its second MDG Report. The report, while analyzing the achievements, will identify policies and strategies addressing issues at local levels. This report will be launched in July 2009.

In many areas of the country awareness about the goals is still marginal. In fact, a recent nationwide survey revealed that only 7 percent of Sri Lanka’s population is aware of the MDGs and could articulate what they meant for the country. This has resulted in not much attention being paid for planning and budgeting, at the local level, for the achievement of MDGs. Hence, in partnership with UNDP, NCED, the lead agency in charge of MDG advocacy and the MDG Country Support Programme, aims to substantially raise national awareness on MDGs in the course of the next few months. The awareness campaign will aim to inform key stakeholders and the general public of the relevance of MDGs as a policy priority. It will discuss the broader context of the Millennium Declaration, the current status of the MDG achievements including, the shortfalls and the challenges. UNDP is also assisting the Government to support national institutions in terms of planning and budgeting for achievement of MDGs, especially in localized situations. Another important initiative includes an assessment or study of service delivery methods of local governance institutions. This assessment will be useful in understanding the needs and requirements of local government bodies and to help develop their skills and resources for better service delivery. These initiatives, no doubt, would help to achieve the goals not only at the national level but at localized levels as well.