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  • © 2017

Decentralization and Development of Sri Lanka Within a Unitary State

  • Departs from the controversial devolution concept

  • Suggests solutions to problems causing ethnic conflict

  • Is a timely publication as the new Sri Lankan government takes measures to devolve power and make progress toward reconciliation

  • Offers valuable insights from internationally respected researchers, academics, civil servants, and administrators

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (15 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
  2. Introduction and Overview

    • N. S. Cooray, Sirimal Abeyratne
    Pages 1-16
  3. Sectoral Development under Decentralised System

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 109-109
    2. Post Conflict Foreign Policy Challenges for Sri Lanka

      • H. M. G. S. Palihakkara
      Pages 229-241
  4. Sharing Internal Experiences

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 243-243
    2. Decentralization of Natural Resources Management in ASEAN

      • Kaliappa Kalirajan, Kazi Arif Uz Zaman, Gaminiratne Wijesekere
      Pages 267-286
    3. Japanese Local Tax System and Decentralization

      • Shunsuke Kimura
      Pages 329-364

About this book

This comprehensive volume provides uniquely diverse insights into various aspects of decentralization and development from both developed and developing countries, with special reference to Sri Lanka. For a quarter century, Sri Lanka was battered by its prolonged civil war, which ended in 2009, but has now achieved relative peace and stability. Having developed rapidly, Sri Lanka offers a classic example for developing countries. There is, however, a strong need, particularly in the context of postwar conflict, to formulate policies for reconciliation, peace building, and development at all levels—local, provincial, and national.

 Decentralization itself is not a new subject; however, how to devolve power to local administrative levels within a unitary system and how to link the devolved power to make local administrative systems more conducive to development and provide better services for citizens are challenging tasks in many countries.

 Taking into account the developmental, governance, and conciliatory needs and the sensitivity of central–local relations, this volume critically examines the local government systems in Sri Lanka. It also proposes a viable, effective and autonomous local-level administrative unit based, which draws on experiences from Japan and other countries, and identifies the role and functions of such a unit.

 The book presents commissioned papers from a three-year research project undertaken by internationally respected experts with financial support by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) under a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research. 

Editors and Affiliations

  • International University of Japan , Uonumashi, Niigata, Japan

    N.S. Cooray

  • Faculty of Economics, University of Colombo , Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Sirimal Abeyratne

About the editors


Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Decentralization and Development of Sri Lanka Within a Unitary State

  • Editors: N.S. Cooray, Sirimal Abeyratne

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-4259-1

  • Publisher: Springer Singapore

  • eBook Packages: Economics and Finance, Economics and Finance (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2017

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-981-10-4258-4Published: 03 October 2017

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-981-13-5090-0Published: 12 December 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-981-10-4259-1Published: 19 September 2017

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XI, 364

  • Number of Illustrations: 21 b/w illustrations, 55 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Development Economics, Public Policy, Asian Politics

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access