2.1 Policy availability
Sri Lanka has a universal coverage policy for health which includes free hospital treatment that has led to low infant
and neonatal mortality rates coupled with a high life expectancy level (UNDP, 2012). Public health services in Sri
Lanka have achieved a pro-poor benefit environment (McIntyre, 2006). For example, in-patient treatment at public
hospitals being free at the point of delivery leads to a mean direct cost burden for in-patient hospital cases being
1.2% of household monthly income compared to a total direct cost burden of 6.5% (Russell, 2004). Since Sri Lanka
has achieved a high life expectancy, there is a need to shift towards preventing chronic illness and limiting poor
quality of life which requires significant changes in policies. Furthermore to ultimately achieve a beneficial, stable
population there is a need to advance national fertility related policies since Total Fertility Rate statistics imply that
Sri Lanka will not reach its stable population size by the middle of this century as predicted (UNDP, 2012).
Similarly in regards to the societal challenge of “Smart, green and integrated transport”, there has been concerted
efforts in improving road development and public transport but policy in road safety is lacking (Department of
National Planning, 2013). Road safety has been an outstanding issue since necessary measures such as post-crash
response and emergency services are not available through government regulation.
Conversely “Secure societies: Protecting Freedom and security of Europe and its citizens” had the least policies
available.