LIRNEasia conducted a national survey representative of everyone above the age of 15 in Sri Lanka.

Completed in October 2021, the survey sheds light in particular on two main aspects. First, the level of digital connectivity in Sri Lanka. Second, how the level of digital connectivity impacted access to other services, such as education, food, work and government service delivery.

About the research: The research was conducted by LIRNEasia, and funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) through a grant given to three regional think tanks, LIRNEasia, Research ICT Africa and Instituto de Estudios Peruanos. The nationally representative sample for the survey conducted in Sri Lanka consisted of 2,500 households and individuals across the country covering 125 Grama Niladhari Divisions. The sampling methodology has been designed to ensure representation of the target group (population aged 15+) at a national level with a confidence level of 95-percent and a +/-2.8% margin of error. The data also allows for disaggregation by urban/rural divide, gender and socio-economic classification at the national level, as well as by within and outside the Western Province.

Documents

• Relationships between ICTs and primary & secondary education during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka
• Digital for Education in Sri Lanka (Presentation)

  Slides presented at the Education Forum Policy Dialogue (#20) on Education Post-Pandemic on Saturday, 26 March 2022

• Access to education during the first lockdown was high, but not without problems, survey shows (Press Release)

  A new survey shows that 85% of enrolled school-aged children had some form of education services during school closures between March and July 2020. While some received educational services through multiple means, 54% of students received information, instructions, notes, or assignments sent to smartphone, tab, or computer, 50% had live lessons delivered over Zoom and other applications (potentially alongside other methods).

• Internet use in Sri Lanka has grown due to pandemic, but slower than peers, survey shows (Press Release)

  A recent national survey conducted by LIRNEasia, a regional policy think tank, showed that 44% of Sri Lanka’s population aged 15 and above were internet users in 2021. Internet use was lower amongst the rural, elderly, less educated and poorer groups.

• Impact of COVID-19 on households and the workforce in Sri Lanka: Survey methodology note

  The COVID-19 related lockdowns, mandating citizens to ‘stay at home’ brought about a host of challenges, from restricted mobility to large scale job and income loss to disruptions in the provisions of essential services as well as education. To an extent, especially in urban areas, digital technology-driven solutions have been able to bridge the last mile of service delivery and help minimize the disruptions, for example through app-driven delivery services, online schooling, etc.

• Digital Sri Lanka during COVID-19 Lockdowns (Research Report)

  LIRNEasia will present the findings of a nationally representative survey with a 2,500 sample across Sri Lanka. We explore the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 by analyzing access to education, work, food and government services with a focus on digital technologies.

More Documents →

Events

• Education during COVID-19 induced school closures
  LIRNEasia recently participated at Education Forum Sri Lanka’s Policy Dialogue on Education Post-Pandemic (#20) held on Saturday, 26 March 2022.
• Digital Sri Lanka during COVID-19 Lockdowns (Research Report)
  LIRNEasia will present the findings of a nationally representative survey with a 2,500 sample across Sri Lanka.

More Events →

People

Ruwanka De Silva

Helani Galpaya

Ayesha Zainudeen

Isuru Samaratunga

Gayani Hurulle

Tharaka Amarasinghe

Blogs and Updates

• Relationships between ICTs and primary & secondary education during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka
• Digital platforms in Asia: Access and use
  LIRNEasia conducted a study on digital platform use across six countries in South and Southeast Asia.
• Digitally enabled flexible work for women: Is it all that its cracked up to be?
  South Asia has some of the lowest female labor force participation (LFP) rates in the world, second only to the Middle East.
• LIRNEasia at UNESCAP USF Modernisation workshop
  LIRNEasia Chair Rohan Samarajiva and I were invited to share our experiences at a UNESCAP capacity building workshop on Universal Service Fund modernization on 23 June 2022.
• LIRNEasia research on vaccine communications at 22nd ICA Conference
  I recently participated in a panel discussion on “Health Communication: Risk & Strategies during COVID-19” at the International Communications Association (ICA) Conference (South Asia Regional Hub) on 29 May 2022.
• LIRNEasia CEO speaks on improving social safety nets in Sri Lanka
  LIRNEasia CEO Helani Galapaya and Chair Rohan Samarajiva participated in an online webinar on Social Safety Nets on 8 May 2022.
• Digital for Education in Sri Lanka (Presentation)
  Slides presented at the Education Forum Policy Dialogue (#20) on Education Post-Pandemic on Saturday, 26 March 2022
• Education during COVID-19 induced school closures
  LIRNEasia recently participated at Education Forum Sri Lanka’s Policy Dialogue on Education Post-Pandemic (#20) held on Saturday, 26 March 2022.
• Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on income and earning opportunities: Findings from nationally representative surveys in India and Sri Lanka
  This reportage delineates the impact of the pandemic on income and earning opportunities of men and women in Sri Lanka and India.
• Media coverage of the COVID-19 research launch in Sri Lanka
  The coverage by Sri Lankan media of the COVID+ surveys
• Access to education during the first lockdown was high, but not without problems, survey shows (Press Release)
  A new survey shows that 85% of enrolled school-aged children had some form of education services during school closures between March and July 2020.
• Internet use in Sri Lanka has grown due to pandemic, but slower than peers, survey shows (Press Release)
  A recent national survey conducted by LIRNEasia, a regional policy think tank, showed that 44% of Sri Lanka’s population aged 15 and above were internet users in 2021.
• Impact of COVID-19 on households and the workforce in Sri Lanka: Survey methodology note
  The COVID-19 related lockdowns, mandating citizens to ‘stay at home’ brought about a host of challenges, from restricted mobility to large scale job and income loss to disruptions in the provisions of essential services as well as education.
• Digital Sri Lanka during COVID-19 Lockdowns (Research Report)
  LIRNEasia will present the findings of a nationally representative survey with a 2,500 sample across Sri Lanka.
• Locking down Sri Lanka’s lockdown communications strategy
  Responding to the COVID-19 crisis has been difficult for many.