Tab Article

Genre: Development Studies, Economics, Sociology, Public Policy, Sri Lankan Studies, ILO Publication

Book Review:
This ILO-published study, ''Basic needs, poverty and government policies in Sri Lanka,'' is a rigorous academic work that tackles one of the most enduring puzzles of Sri Lanka's modern history: its exceptional achievements in social welfare alongside periods of sluggish economic growth. Authors Richards and Gooneratne delve beyond surface-level statistics to critically assess the reach and impact of the country's famed welfare programmes on the actual poor. The book's great value lies in its balanced inquiry—it doesn't simply praise the ''Sri Lankan model'' but scrutinizes the potential trade-offs and asks whether alternative policy mixes could have yielded better outcomes in both equity and growth. While its style is academic and its data reflects the period of study (likely the 1970s/80s), its analytical framework remains highly relevant for understanding contemporary debates on sustainable development, social safety nets, and inclusive growth, not just in Sri Lanka but across the developing world. An indispensable resource for serious students of South Asian political economy.