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Evolving Political Discourse on Poverty Alleviation in Sri Lanka

Continuities and Discontinuities

Authors
  • Upul Abeyrathne

    University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

    Author

Abstract

There is a voluminous literature on poverty alleviation efforts of Sri Lanka. The present engagement with discourse on evolving political discourse on poverty alleviation touches a different aspect, i.e. instrumental utility of policy in keeping and maintaining the status quo. The study is based on examination of the content of public policies depending on the major strand of thought associated in different eras since colonial presence in Sri Lanka. It helps to identify the continuities and discontinuities of policy discourse. The discussion on the evolution of public policy on poverty alleviation revealed that issues of the poor has occupied a priority in the political agenda of the government whenever a political movement is active in politicizing the poor. However, the very objective of such policies were not aimed at empowering the poor but keeping them subordinated. The study concludes that poverty remains unresolved due to poverty of politics.

Author Biography
  1. Upul Abeyrathne, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

    Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Policy

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2015-05-01
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How to Cite

Abeyrathne, U. (2015). Evolving Political Discourse on Poverty Alleviation in Sri Lanka: Continuities and Discontinuities. International Journal for Innovation Education and Research, 3(5), 171-181. https://doi.org/10.31686/ijier.vol3.iss5.374