“Development Failures Cost Lives”: PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has emphasized the critical role of evaluation in shaping effective public policy and preventing systemic failures, stating that development efforts must be guided by evidence, not just intention.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Evaluation Conclave 2025 and the Summit for the Future of Evaluation, held in Colombo, Dr. Amarasuriya noted that when development falls short, the consequences extend beyond financial losses—they impact lives, livelihoods, and future opportunities.

“Evaluation, when integrated throughout the life cycle of policies and programmes, helps identify risks early, assess progress, and derive lessons for course correction,” she said. “It strengthens delivery across sectors—education, health, economy, climate, and humanitarian action—and supports better results for both people and the environment.”

She highlighted that evaluation is not only about measuring success but also about exposing weaknesses in policy design and implementation, particularly in areas of equity and inclusion..

Dr. Amarasuriya also acknowledged that while Sri Lanka has long-standing institutions and traditions of evaluation, the country has still struggled to predict or prevent recent crises.

She reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to evidence-based governance, noting that evaluation is a mandatory practice across public institutions.