Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index 2019 for Asia: Sri Lanka Country Report

Abstract

This is the sixth time Sri Lanka is participating in the index. Verité Research is the local implementing partner for this initiative.

The Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index (CSOSI) assesses the sustainability of the CSO sector across several countries in different regions around the world. Since its inception in 1997, it has expanded from covering 18 countries in the Europe and Eurasia Region, to covering a total of 73 countries in 2019, in regions including the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. By using standard indicators and collecting data each year, the CSOSI enables users to track developments and identify trends in the CSO sector over time while allowing for cross-country and cross-region comparison. It is used by CSO advocates, development partners, and academics to assess international and regional trends in the civil society sector and to identify common obstacles impeding the sector’s sustainability, such as the legal environment, organizational capacity, and financial viability.

Overall CSO sustainability declined slightly in 2019. The legal environment deteriorated moderately because of ongoing challenges with registration and a considerable rise in state scrutiny and harassment following the Easter Sunday attacks. CSOs’ public image worsened significantly as prominent government representatives made hostile statements about CSOs, especially during the presidential election. On the other hand, CSOs’ organizational capacity showed slight improvement as their use of information and communications technology was more effective, and advocacy also improved as CSOs engaged effectively on legal reforms and used online and traditional methods to influence public opinion on a wide range of issues. CSOs’ financial viability, service provision, and sectoral infrastructure showed little change in 2019.