An HR Strategy For Acheving A Debt Free Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, despite its rich cultural heritage and natural resources, has been facing economic struggles in recent times, including a heavy debt load and a wide trade deficit. Despite efforts by the government to secure loans and implement austerity measures, the country remains mired in a debt crisis and continues to seek assistance from international organizations such as the IMF.

A potential solution to boost GDP from a human resource management perspective is to invest in the development of the country's workforce by re-skilling and upgrading the skills of current employees and ensuring that new workers possess the necessary qualifications for high-income jobs. One way to achieve this is by shifting the focus of education from traditional secondary education to tertiary-level education for students interested in pursuing it, and providing them with the knowledge and skills required to excel in high-income jobs. Furthermore, reducing the time spent on non-essential education such as GCE OL and AL and providing education that is more relevant to the workforce can also help to increase GDP.

To combat corruption, it is crucial to implement measures such as increasing transparency and accountability in government, and enforcing anti-corruption laws and regulations. Instead of solely trying to eliminate corruption, investing in education and training programs for the youth can equip them with the skills needed to succeed in the workforce and drive economic growth.

The high failure rate at GCE O/L and low enrollment in higher education can lead to limited opportunities for young people, which can contribute to social unrest. To address this, the National wage policy should be reviewed, and the skill sets required for jobs in Sri Lanka should be identified and improved. Upskilling the workforce to meet the skill sets required for jobs in developed countries can help to increase productivity and innovation, and can also help to increase wages and improve living standards. Furthermore, renaming jobs to match similar names in the developed world can help to increase the recognition and value of those jobs.

It is worth noting that many developed countries have abolished GCE O/L and GCE A/L and have only one exam for entering tertiary education, as it is more focused on the skills and knowledge required for specific jobs. This is a model worth considering for Sri Lanka.

Lalin I De Silva. Former Senior Planter, Agricultural Adviser and Consultant, Former Secretary General, Ceylon Planters Society, Editor CPS Bulletin and free lance jurnelist.