Sri Lanka: LLRC Implementation Monitor: Constructive Recommendations - Statistical and Analytical Review No.2

Abstract

In January 2014, the Government of Sri Lanka claimed that the implementation of a significant number of constructive recommendations was ‘completed’. In fact, according to the government’s reports on progress, the implementation of 38 constructive recommendations was ‘completed’, while a further 48 are described as ‘ongoing’. The government has not reported on progress relating to the remaining 19 recommendations.

A statistical and analytical study of available information reveals that the overall status of implementation with respect to the 105 constructive recommendations is poor.

The implementation of 5 constructive recommendations has been ‘completed’. This figure constitutes only 4.8% of the total number of constructive recommendations. Of these recommendations only 4 have been reported as ‘completed’ by the government. An independent verification process has led us to conclude that the remaining recommendation has also been fully implemented.

We assess that the implementation of 25 constructive recommendations has seen ‘partial progress’. This figure constitutes 23.8% of the total number of constructive recommendations. According to government reports on progress, 4 of these recommendations have been fully implemented. The government also reports that implementation with respect to 14 of these recommendations is ‘ongoing’. There are no official reports on progress relating to the remaining 7 recommendations.

We also assess that 62 constructive recommendations have seen ‘poor progress’. This figure constitutes more than half (i.e. 59%) of the total number of constructive recommendations. According to the government, implementation of 27 of these recommendations has been ‘completed’. It also reports that implementation with respect to 31 of these recommendations is ‘ongoing’. There are no official reports on progress relating to the remaining 4 recommendations.

Finally, we assess that 13 constructive recommendations have seen ‘no progress’. This assessment is based on the fact that none of the performance indicators pertaining to these recommendations have been met to any degree; in addition to which the implementation plans pertaining to these recommendations are either non-existent or flawed. This figure constitutes 12.4% of the total number of constructive recommendations. According to the government, 3 of these recommendations have been fully implemented, while implementation with respect to 3 of these recommendations is ‘ongoing’. There are no official reports on progress relating to the remaining 7 recommendations

The foregoing analysis raises serious doubts with regard to the credibility of the government’s reports on progress. A serious reappraisal of the government’s claim that 38 constructive recommendations have been fully implemented is therefore necessary.