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Sri Lanka market introduction

Last updated August 2011

Market environment

Post war Sri Lanka has become an optimistic highly stable country and the economy is booming.  After more than 2 years since the end of a civil conflict, Sri Lanka is enjoying an uninterrupted state of peace and rapid infrastructure development. This is largely due to the highly stable government with a 2/3 majority in parliament.  Most of Sri Lanka is undergoing an impressive face-lift and the country is positioning itself as a regional commercial and educational hub in line with the presidents’ country plan ‘Mahinda Chinthanaya’ http://www.treasury.gov.lk/docs/MahindaChintanaTenYearDevelopmentPlan.pdf . There is an overwhelming expansion in the tourism sector characterised by record breaking tourist arrivals and alongside Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in infrastructure projects around the country. Sri Lanka recorded an 8% GDP growth rate in 2010 and the trend set to continue.

Inflation, which reached 28.2 per cent in June 2008, declined sharply to 5.6 per cent in 2011. Amidst most challenging domestic and external conditions, this remarkable performance was largely due to the steady recovery in the economy since the second quarter of 2009.

Activity in the North and North-Eastern provinces of the country are opening up. As a result, many international and Sri Lankan NGOs, as well as government bodies, are engaging in multicultural community initiatives to help bridge the divide which had developed over the past decades of war. Some seek to heal damaged lives through work schemes or community theatre. Others seek to develop civic awareness and improve information flow. Many work with young people, who have grown up devoid of contact with other parts of the country. Questions still remain regarding the ethnic minorities living in these regions.

English language provision is also seen as an important link-language between different linguistic and cultural communities; English medium schooling is being encouraged as well. English is in demand as a learning tool, providing opportunities for access to further education, ICT, employment, economic development, and within communities for helping Sinhalese, Tamil and Muslim groups understand each other.

Likewise, information technology is being extended rapidly around the country, as internet access is gradually increasing. There is a great need for training at all levels, in public and private sectors, in how to use new technologies. The urban-based 'techno savvy' generation that is emerging expects much better access to learning, employment and travel opportunities. They also expect better career guidance.

Market characteristics

The demand for higher education continues to grow annually and supply cannot meet demand. In 2010 only 22 percent of the 121,000 students satisfying minimum entry were selected for university in Sri Lanka (MOHE SL).

While parents and students value higher education, they are far from happy with what is offered by Sri Lankan colleges and universities. The current scenario in Sri Lanka is such that even if a student gets a place in a local university he/she has to take the following into consideration:

• teaching, administrative staff and students going on “strikes”, which result in universities being forced to close regularly
• students do not get into the popular/preferred universities
• students do not get their preferred choice of course
• a customary induction programme known as “ragging” which has caused student deaths and put many off
• a large number of unemployed graduates

In early 2011 The Ministry of Higher Education embarked on an ambitions plan to equip first year university graduates with the skills to cope with the life at universities. Students have to undergo a personality development program managed by the Sri Lankan military, English language crash courses and training in IT. It is believed that this orientation programme will help eradicate some of the issues faced by fresh undergraduates at universities.

Parents with the capacity to choose are increasingly unwilling to send their children to Sri Lankan government universities and seek overseas educational opportunities and local TNE options. Figures indicate that there are approximately 14,500 (Estimated figure) Sri Lankans going abroad on an annual basis. Over the years we have seen a steady increase in the number of Sri Lankans going to the UK to study, while approximately 4,000 student visas have been issued in 2010. We expect the growth in numbers to be driven by UK institutions which make the courses more affordable by:

• Accepting part qualified students into their final year (from CIM, CIMA, ACCA, BCS etc.)
• Partnering with local providers and offering 2+1 programmes
• Opening affordable branch campuses in Sri Lanka with the assistance of the Board of Investment and related tax benefits

Market opportunities

Demand for international education and qualifications continue to grow. An increasing number of UK institutions see Sri Lanka as a significant market, as they seek to diversify. They are also establishing more courses jointly run with Sri Lankan institutions in-country, and/or promoting distance or open learning methods. Increasing numbers of students and professionals take examinations which give them international currency.

An increase in demand for international school leaving qualifications has also occurred, despite high fees. Although the majority of families do not have the resources to fund international education, there is a growing disillusion with the options that the state offers; those with funds are looking for alternatives. This trend is set to continue with the advent of an emerging middle class due to the steady economic growth in the country. Of even more significance, a growing number of Sinhala (the mother tongue of the majority of people of Sri Lanka) medium private schools are now offering British A-levels as an option, and the uptake is high. (Note: to be admitted to universities in Sri Lanka, students must sit for the Sri Lankan A-Levels. International schools do not offer their students the option of taking Sri Lankan A-levels.) In 2010, Sri Lankan private schools (national and international) were producing around 2,500 candidates with good British A-levels results (Edexcel and Cambridge), along with the desire and the financial resources to pursue higher education at a degree or diploma level.

There is also demand for postgraduate studies in the research fields. Graduate output from Sri Lankan universities for the year 2009/10 was 11,941 (first degree) and 2,708 (postgraduate) (Source UGC SL). Out of these, a considerable percentage of graduates preferring research programmes have also increased in the fields of Bio-Technology, Pharmacology and Molecular Biology. In addition, the University of Colombo has introduced new undergraduate courses in Pharmacology and Bio-chemistry. However, there are no postgraduate courses in these fields, and as a result there is further demand for research programmes abroad. MBAs have become very popular with professionals, but they generally opt for distance learning/affiliated courses, due to the high cost. A few TNE providers are currently testing the delivery of MBA’s on web based platforms.

Our infrastructure and strategic education priorities
Sri Lanka is not an “Education UK Partnership” country. We have to generate funds to deliver our events to the expected standards. We encourage UK based institutions to build more links with the local colleges and provide affiliated courses in Sri Lanka.

DCSIMG