‘’ The report identifies high levels of poverty in key districts in the north and east of the country, including Mullaitivu (28.8 percent), Mannar (20.1 percent) and Batticaloa district (19.4 percent). At 20.8 percent, the data from Monaragala district in Uva province also offers cause for concern. Within Batticaloa, estimated poverty rates run as high as 45 percent in Manmunai West and 38 percent in Karalai Pattu South. Across the board, poverty rates are disproportionately high for vulnerable groups such as youth and ethnic minorities; and unemployment is high for youth and women …. Social assistance programs need attention and important knowledge gaps remain. ’’ – Sri Lanka Poverty and Welfare: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges, 31 January 2017, http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2017/01/31/srilanka-poverty-welfare-recent-progress-remaining-challenges
‘’The research finds that while poverty has decreased, progress is uneven across location, gender, and ethnicity. Large numbers of poor live within or close to urban areas, and there are considerably higher rates of poverty in the North and East, the estate sector, and Moneragala. Women’s participation in the labor market has remained low for a middle income country and static for decades. Coupled with social spending that is very low for a middle income country, inequality has increased. Many people are at risk of falling back into poverty as over 40 percent of the population live on less than 225 rupees per person per day.’’ – Poverty has Fallen in Sri Lanka but Fiscal, Growth, and Inclusion Challenges Need to Be Tackled to Sustain Progress, 16 Feb 2016, http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2016/02/16/poverty-has-fallen-sri-lanka-but-fiscal-growth-and-inclusion-challenges-need-to-be-tackled-to-sustain-progress