2014 was a landmark year for the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA). Priorities were realigned in response to changes in the overall socio-economic landscape and progress was made towards achieving medium-term financial stability.

The overall landscape has changed. Sri Lanka has acquired middle-income country status. In addition, public expenditure on the social sector has declined as a percentage of GDP. This has created an evolving context for investigating absolute poverty and widening in in equality. An important question to be addressed is whether the development process is creating new vulnerabilities and groups of poor.

CEPA has responded by undertaking an extensive review of its work programme. This has led to a realigning of its core functions: Knowledge Generation (research); Knowledge – Practice Mobilisation (advocacy and consultancy); and Knowledge - Policy Engagement (influencing policy). The new strategic focus extends to a ‘Reimagining Development’ perspective. The year under review has seen CEPA strengthen both its analytical work and communications strategy. This has raised the profile of the organisation.

A notable feature of the year under review was CEPA’s admission to the second phase of institutional collaboration with the Think-Tank Initiative (TTI) of the IDRC. The management and staff deserve high commendation for this success which involved a highly rigorous and competitive assessment process, involving institutions from all around the world. This collaboration contributes to strengthening financial stability in the medium-term and enables CEPA to focus on building its research, advocacy and policy influencing programmes without having its agenda dominated by the need to chase consultancies to support its core funding. It also opens up a window of opportunity for CEPA to work towards becoming more self-sustaining in terms of its funding. The current year’s financial accounts indicate that this is still very much a work-in-progress.

We are highly indebted to Prof. Savitri Goonesekere whose very considerable expertise and experience were invaluable in her role as Chair of the Board for much of the year. Dr. Dushni Weerakoon also stepped down from the Board on completion of her tenure, having provided wise counsel and support through challenging times. In addition, I must convey my own gratitude to all the members of the Board for their co-operation and guidance. We were fortunate that people of the calibre of Dr. Anila Dias Bandaranaike, Mr. Deshal de Mel and Dr. Ramani Gunatilaka agreed to serve on the CEPA Board.

Above all, the management and staff should be commended on a year in which they have sharpened their operational framework and created the space to move towards medium-term financial stability.  There is, of course, much still to be done.

Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy
Chairperson
2nd June 2015