Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Wednesday Feb 05, 2025
Wednesday, 5 February 2025 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Sandharani Research Centre of the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA), in alignment with the Government’s commitment to good governance, on 7 February will host the SLIDA Research Symposium 2024/25, a landmark event that underscores the Government’s commitment to fostering a research-driven culture in public administration.
SLIDA is a premier institution in public administration, governance, and management education, and plays a pivotal role in enhancing professional capacity in the public sector through training, consultancy, and research.
This initiative aims to bridge the gap between research and policymaking, promote the integration of academic insights into policy and administrative practices, and ensure that decision-making is guided by rigorous research and real-world needs. By fostering a culture of evidence-based governance, the symposium reinforces SLIDA’s dedication to advancing innovative, research-driven solutions for public sector effectiveness and sustainable governance.
The Sandharani Research Centre, established under SLIDA’s research mandate, is a hub for public sector research, policy innovation, and collaboration with academia and researchers. It promotes the integration of research-driven insights into policy formulation and administrative decision-making, strengthening evidence-based governance and promoting innovation in Sri Lanka’s public sector.
The theme for this year’s symposium, “Resilience and Innovation in Public Administration: Navigating Challenges and Embracing Change for Sri Lanka,” highlights the critical need for adaptability and creativity in governance. This focus resonates with the challenges faced by the public sector in addressing contemporary issues and driving positive transformations.
The symposium will explore seven key sub-themes, reflecting diverse dimensions of public administration: Public Sector Performance and Governance; Economic Recovery and Fiscal Management; Digital Transformation and E-Governance; Social Equity, Welfare, and Public Health;
Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy; Governance, Accountability, and Public Trust and Crisis Management and Emergency Preparedness.
The symposium received numerous abstracts, with 25 submissions selected by a panel of academic reviewers based on their academic rigor, innovative insights, and contribution to public administration literature. Presenters include professionals from public sector organisations, semi-Government institutions, universities, NGOs, and international entities.
These abstracts will be presented in four-panel sessions: Public Sector Performance and Governance; Social Equity, Welfare, and Public Health; Economics and Sustainable Development; and Digital Transformation and E-Governance.
Each session will identify the best presentation, which will advance to the plenary session for a five-minute spotlight presentation.
The afternoon plenary session and closing ceremony will be held at “Sanhinda Hall,” SLIDA, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The best presentations from each panel will share their findings, offering valuable insights into their innovative research.
A highlight of the event will be the launch of the latest issue of the Sri Lanka Journal of Development Administration, a prestigious academic publication by SLIDA. Selected abstracts from the symposium will also be featured in the next volume of the journal, providing presenters with an opportunity to disseminate their research to a broader audience.
The Chief Guest for the closing ceremony is Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government Minister (Dr.) A.H.M.H. Abayarathna. Senior officials, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, will also attend, adding significance to the event.
The SLIDA Research Symposium 2024/25 extends beyond a conventional academic forum, serving as a collaborative platform for knowledge exchange and innovation in public administration and governance. Central to its mission is integrating research findings into public policy, reinforcing the role of evidence-based insights in shaping effective governance. By addressing critical challenges and presenting research-driven solutions, the symposium highlights SLIDA’s commitment to advancing excellence in public administration and fostering informed policymaking in Sri Lanka.
