Browsing by Author "Jayathilaka, R"

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Open Access
ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND BLINDNESS IN THE TERTIARY SECTOR: EXPLANATORY MODEL
(Available on-line at: www.oapub.org/edu, 2022-01-14) Suraweera, T; Bandara, S; Wickramarachchi, C; Dewage, N; Gunawardana, T; Nanayakkara, N; Yapa, E; Thelijjagoda, S; Jayathilaka, R
Ensuring universal access to education is an effective and sustainable means of empowering people with visual impairment and blindness. Literature confirms that blindness of a person is not a barrier for learning, yet past research brings about a range of diverse obstacles for productive engagement in education due to universities being designed for the sighted persons. Given that the persons with impairment are looked after comparatively better in the western world than in the developing nations for realising their challenging academic goals. Purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a comprehensive study on the academic work of persons with visual impairment and blindness in the tertiary sector. This population included recent undergraduates and those who have completed a university degree. The two distinct outcomes presented are; (first phase) the critical factors influencing the academic performance of persons with visually impairment and blindness and, (second phase) an explanatory model that characterizes the construct ‘the academic performance’. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, purposely selected eleven key informant interviews were utilized for the first phase for the qualitative investigation. Thematic analysis was used as the main method of data analysis. The Second phase employed a sample survey. Fifty respondents who had studied in universities during the 5-year period from 2015-2020 were selected through snow-ball sampling. Exploratory factor analysis was used as the main data analysis technique. The key findings of phase one revealed that external support, physical environment, motivation to learn, instructional strategies, ICT and English literacy are major contributory factors to academic performance. The second phase of the quantitative analysis derived five composite factors. Of these, the factor labeled “Motivating influences” appears to be mostly contributing to the academic performance of persons with visual impairment and blindness. While education is a lifelong endeavor of a person, these findings can contribute to make a substantial change in the quality of life of this community in the long run.
Open Access
Achieving zero hunger: A global policy lens on food security drivers and income group disparities
(Elsevier B.V., 2026-01-19) Pulle, N; Sampath, P; Perera, S; Wijayaweera, D; Jayathilaka, R
Many countries struggle to meet their daily dietary requirements despite numerous attempts to address the existing demand. Consequently, this study collectively analyses the impact of urbanisation, renewable energy, greenhouse gas emissions, population growth, gross domestic product per capita and agricultural land on food production relying on Sen’s Entitlement Theory, thus providing insights to resolve the long-standing issue of food insecurity, and support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The study utilises a stepwise panel ordered Probit model on 146 countries, for the years 1993 to 2023. It further categorises the food production index into three categories of food security as; low, moderate and high, thereby enabling discussion of the likelihood of a country falling into one of the aforementioned food security categories over the years. Urbanisation, agricultural land, and the dummy variables introduced to represent the income groups have been identified to have a significant and favourable relationship with the food production index. In contrast, the greenhouse gas emissions and renewable energy variables have a significantly inverse impact on the food production index. This makes a unique contribution to the existing body of literature, especially by comparing odds over the years, across different food secure categories, countries, and their specific income levels. This study enables policymakers to gain a comprehensive historical perspective on each case. This study further promotes the Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting areas where these goals have been negatively impacted. Additionally, the study discusses optimised investment allocations, agricultural research and development, agricultural technology, climate resilient farming, and sustainable urbanisation planning as solutions for extreme cases
Embargo
Addressing Child Labour in SAARC: The Synergy of Education, Health and Economic Growth Towards SDGs
(John Wiley and Sons, 2025-11-09) Muthugala, H; Magammana, T; Perera, A; Bandara, A; Jayathilaka, R
Child labour remains a critical socio-economic challenge in the SAARC region, closely linked to sustainable development goals (SDGs). This study investigates the determinants of child labour by examining the roles of education, health and economic growth using a robust methodological framework. The analysis captures the non-linear country-specific relationships between these variables and child labour, employing advanced methodological approaches, including multiple polynomials, stepwise and simple polynomial regression. The findings reveal a complex interplay of factors, with each variable showing positive and negative effects on child labour in country-specific contexts. Improved access to education generally reduces child labour, but disparities in quality and affordability can have the opposite effect. Health improvements significantly lower child labour rates, yet unequal healthcare access perpetuates exploitation among vulnerable groups. Economic growth shows dual effects: it promotes adult employment and alleviates poverty, yet unregulated expansion in specific sectors can heighten the demand for child labour. This study makes a novel contribution by integrating socio-economic determinants with child labour within a regional framework, providing actionable insights while aligning with SDGs 3, 4, 8 and 8.7. Key policy recommendations include fostering regional collaboration, ensuring access to free education, enacting and enforcing new laws, improving healthcare infrastructure and promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth. These measures align with global SDG commitments but aim to secure a brighter future for the region's children by achieving these goals by 2030.
Embargo
Adverse Selection Effect for South Asian Countries in FTA Formation: An Empirical Study on the Determinants of FTA among the Bilateral Trading Partners
(SAGE Publications, 2009-01) Jayathilaka, R; Keembiyahetti, N
This study examines the economic and non-economic factors governing the decision of forming Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) between two non-zero trading partners by estimating a Probit model using 9,178 country pairs having 705 active and operational bilateral FTAs. This study works on the implied hypothesis that FTA is an endogenously determined variable dependent on a number of economic and non-economic factors which are usually omitted from gravity type trade models. The study finds economically important and statistically significant evidences that the likelihood of forming an FTA by a pair of countries is positively related to the economic mass of the partners, similarity in economic size, differences of relative factor intensity, political stability, past import tariffs and the existence of FTAs in the close neighbourhood, whereas it is negatively related to the distance, economic remoteness and geographic continuity. Based on these findings, this study provides a good explanation as to why South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries are still far behind the FTA negotiation process and how SAARC countries are subject to adverse selection effect by rest of the world.
Open Access
Ageing affecting the Americas?: exploring the growth direction: the relationship between the elderly population and economic growth in the American context
(Springer Nature, 2025-02-13) Jayawardhana, T.; Jayathilaka, R; Karadanaarachchi, R.; Nimnadi, T; Anuththara, S
The main aim of this study is to explore the relationship between the elderly population and economic growth in 25 North and South American countries use annual secondary data from 1961 to 2021. Instead of focusing on the conditional mean, this study tests for Granger causality in the entire conditional distribution of the elderly population and economic growth through wavelet coherence analysis. The study fndings indicated a unidirectional Granger causality running from per capita gross domestic product (GDP) to the elderly population for Bolivia, Colombia, Guyana, Peru and Puerto Rico and also from elderly population to per capita GDP for Costa Rica, Ecuador and Honduras. However, there is no causal relationship between the elderly population and economic growth for the rest of the countries. Wavelet coherence analysis depicted that economic growth positively led the elderly population in North America during the early 21st century. Furthermore, economic growth had been negatively leading the elderly population in South America throughout the period under consideration. This empirical study shows that policymakers of these economies need to analyse the transformation in the elderly population-economic growth causality robustness throughout the year when devising policies
Open Access
Alcohol and Poverty: Are they Related? Empirical Study from Sri Lanka
(Sri Lanka Economic Association (SLEA), 2007-06) Jayathilaka, R
The relationship between alcohol and poverty in Sri Lanka is an important area to study to formulate better policies to eliminate poverty in Sri Lanka. The study used the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) of 2001/02 that covered 16,924 households (71,293 individuals) in seven provinces in Sri Lanka. This study identified the poor by the Sri Lankan official poverty line base which is calculated by the Department of Census and Statistics, Sri Lanka. The probit model was applied to measure the impact on alcohol and poverty. The findings reflect some facts which merit careful attention in the task of Sri Lankan poverty alleviation policies. Illegal alcohol consumption is prevalent in the rural and estate sector poor households. Developing the Sri Lankan alcohol policy would have positive impact towards the society, particularly in addressing poverty reduction issues
Open Access
Alcohol brings burdens: A global and continent wise study on alcohol consumption and global burden of diseases
(researchgate.net, 2022-07) Jayathilaka, R; Athukorala, o; Ishara, S; Silva, D; Pathirageid, T
This article investigates alcohol consumption attributable burden of diseases. The present study considers the overall effect of Human Development Index (HDI), Socio Demographic Index (SDI) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for income to measure how these variables impact Global Burden of Diseases (GDB), bringing a different perspective to the results. Data from over 177 countries mainly including European, Asian, North American, South American, African and Australian regions were analysed from 2000 to 2019. A Panel regression technique was applied, and Fixed Effects (FE) and Random Effects (RE) estimations were chosen to derive outcomes of the Hausman test. The findings reflected that alcohol consumption (wine, beer, spirit and other alcohol) has a positive significant relationship with the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) globally and in the African continent excluding North America and South America. Human Development Index (HDI) have a negative impact on GBD on all countries. Particularly HDI have a negative impact on GBD in African continent except other continents. Also, in the African continent and globally, GBD has a significant positive and in Europe, a significant negative impact on the Socio Demographic Index (SDI). The findings demonstrate the overall picture of the impact of alcohol consumption and other variables on GBD and provide suggestions on how these variables should be tackled in the future to reduce GBD. This is the initial empirical study that investigates the impact of alcohol consumption, analysing the combined effect of HDI, SDI and income on the GBD of continent wise and globally.
Open Access
Alcohol Consumption and Stroke Mortality: Global Patterns, Risks and Public Health Implications
(Springer Nature 2025, 2025-05-07) Kolonne, T; Mudalige, K; Dissanayaka, G; Rathnayake, K; Jayathilaka, R; Rajamanthri, L; Wickramaarachchi, C
Globally, stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and disability, while alcohol consumption continues to vary widely across regions, prompting concern over its health impacts. This study examines the association between different alcoholic beverages and stroke mortality, using secondary data from 1990 to 2020. Alcohol consumption and stroke death rates across 189 countries were categorized into five levels, from very high to very low, and averaged over two periods (1990–1999 and 2011–2020). Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was applied to assess relationships among four categorical variables. The findings indicate a significant association between very high alcohol consumption and increased stroke mortality, with eight countries showing elevated death rates. Conversely, moderate beer consumption was linked to reduced stroke mortality, suggesting nuanced effects based on beverage type and quantity. These insights offer a foundation for targeted public health policies and emphasize the need for further investigation into the mechanisms driving alcohol-related stroke risks.
Open Access
Alcohol Consumption and Stroke Mortality: Global Patterns, Risks and Public Health Implications
(Springer, 2025-05-07) Kolonne, T; Mudalige, K; Dissanayaka, G; Rathnayake, K; Jayathilaka, R; Rajamanthri, L; Wickramaarachchi, C
Globally, stroke remains a leading cause of mortality and disability, while alcohol consumption continues to vary widely across regions, prompting concern over its health impacts. This study examines the association between different alcoholic beverages and stroke mortality, using secondary data from 1990 to 2020. Alcohol consumption and stroke death rates across 189 countries were categorized into five levels, from very high to very low, and averaged over two periods (1990–1999 and 2011–2020). Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was applied to assess relationships among four categorical variables. The findings indicate a significant association between very high alcohol consumption and increased stroke mortality, with eight countries showing elevated death rates. Conversely, moderate beer consumption was linked to reduced stroke mortality, suggesting nuanced effects based on beverage type and quantity. These insights offer a foundation for targeted public health policies and emphasize the need for further investigation into the mechanisms driving alcohol-related stroke risks.
Open Access
Asian ageing: The relationship between the elderly population and economic growth in the Asian context
(PLOS ONE, 2023-04-24) Jayawardhana, T; Anuththara, S; Nimnadi, T; Karadanaarachchi, R; Jayathilaka, R
The elderly population and economic growth have been a contentious topic among researchers. Regardless of the economic growth rate, the population and its growth have a stimulating influence on economic development. This study aims to explore the relationship between the elderly population and economic growth in 15 Asian countries, based on secondary data gathered from the WDI (World Development Indicators) from 1961 to 2021. This research contributes to filling the empirical gap, capturing the Granger causality concerning the relationship between the elderly population and economic growth in the Asian context in a single study. The empirical findings highlighted a one-way Granger causality from economic growth to the elderly population for India, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore while vice versa for Bangladesh, China, and Pakistan. Furthermore, for Nepal, there is a two-way Granger causality, while there is no Granger causality for remaining countries. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study has been the first to investigate the relationship between the elderly population and economic growth for Asian nations, using a lengthy data series and a Granger causality test. The main findings will assist the governments, policymakers, and foreign investors in effective decision-making in this regard.
Open Access
Board gender dominated sectors and financial performance in sri lanka
(University of Jaffna, 2019) Hameed, Z; Senavirathna, N; Weerasooriya, S; Yasarathna, D; Jayathilaka, R
The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between percentage of women on board and firm financial performance. In order to investigate this relationship, the gender composition of corporate boards of the 20 sectors classified by the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) is compared against its financial performances using Return on Assets (ROA) as a proxy. Data collected was analyzed using Pearson correlation technique. The results revealed new insights: The percentage of women directors in Information and Investment sectors has both a positive and significant correlation with the ROA. Moreover, the Information sector has the strongest positive relationship between the women director’s percentage and ROA, while the Telecommunication sector has the strongest negative relationship.
Open Access
Brain drain or economic gain? Untangling the global migration-growth puzzle through causality and time-frequency lenses
(Elsevier, 2025-07-22) Dissanayake, P.; Chloe, L; Azmi, Y; Landersz, S; Jayathilaka, R
This study investigates the complex causal relationships between net migration and economic growth at the global, income group, and country levels, framing these dynamics within the evolving landscape of global economic integration and disparities, thereby addressing the enduring “brain drain or economic gain” debate. The analysis is conducted employing the latest available panel data from 1990 to 2023 for 154 countries. Additionally, several advance analytical techniques including Juodis, Karavias and Sarafidis non-causality test and Wavelet Transform Coherence is utilised to investigate relationships across multiple scales and time frequencies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior research has examined these dynamics using these methods. Additionally, a novel visualisation technique called Lucius Jesper Chloe heatmap, was utilised to depict the Granger causalities. The findings confirm a relationship between migration and economic growth on a global scale. Further analysis reveals bidirectional and unidirectional relationships within income groups and countries. Finally, implications are made for policymakers to develop economic policies that leverage the economic potential of migration and vice versa.
Open Access
Breaking the cycle: long-term socio economic determinants of child labour in SAARC countries
(BioMed Central Ltd, 2025-11-19) Magammana, T; Muthugala, H; Bandara, A; Perera, A; Jayathilaka, R
Background: Child labour remains a critical issue in SAARC countries, driven by various socio-economic factors. While previous studies have explored individual determinants, limited research has been conducted on their collective long-term impact. Understanding how structural and economic conditions shape child labour trends is essential for designing effective policy interventions. Methods: This study engages panel cointegration techniques to examine the long-term relationship between child labour and key socio-economic drivers in SAARC countries. It assesses the impact of education, access to healthcare, economic conditions, labour market dynamics, foreign investment, and urbanisation on the prevalence of child labour. Results: The findings confirm a stable, long-term relationship between child labour and these determinants in each SAARC country. Improvements in education and health significantly reduce child labour. However, economic growth and urbanisation have complex, country-specific effects. Higher unemployment and increased FDI may also influence child labour, emphasising the need for targeted policy responses. Conclusions: The study highlights the significance of ongoing investments in education and healthcare. Labour market reforms are crucial to mitigate the impact of unemployment, while inclusive economic policies ensure that growth benefits vulnerable populations. Targeted strategies for FDI and urbanisation are necessary to prevent unintended consequences on child labour. Combating child labour in SAARC countries requires a multi-sectoral approach. Regional collaboration is crucial for sharing best practices, developing unified strategies, and enhancing cross-border initiatives. Holistic policies integrating education, health, and economic planning are key to reducing child labour.
Open Access
Can visual impairment impact your income potential?
(PLoS ONE, 2023-04-20) Wickramaarachchi, C; Jayathilaka, R; Suraweera, T; Thelijjagoda, S; Kollure, L
People’s quality of life (QOL) has been disrupted globally in the wake of the pandemic in recent times. This was mainly due to global economic crises fuelled by the coronavirus (COVID– 19) and other related factors. Sri Lanka, too, was facing major social and economic constraints in the period 2021–2022. Thus, all communities islandwide have been economically disturbed. Among others, people with Visual Impairment and Blindness (VIB) have been pushed to severely disadvantageous positions, financially and otherwise. A sample from three geographical locations in Sri Lanka; and eleven individuals representing diverse cadres in Sri Lankan society were purposively selected for the study based on the existence of the majority of the visually impaired community using a mixed approach. Descriptive statistics were utilised to analyse the identified socio-economic characteristics. Ordered probit regression was employed to determine the mediating effect of socio-economic status on income levels. Word Cloud illustrates the factors affecting the QOL. Most severely impaired individuals are more likely to earn a lower rate of income. This situation has degraded their lives and poor QOL. Participants’ responses elucidate that facilities, resources, education, opportunities, income, employment, and government activities would enhance their QOL. The study adds value to society by recognising VIB people, helping them gain financial independence and strengthening them without marginalising the impaired community. The proposed policies in this study would be valuable for these social groups to address their wealth concerns.
Open Access
Carbon emissions across income groups: exploring the role of trade, energy use, and economic growth
(Springer Nature, 2025-07-10) Dharmapriya, N; Gunawardena, V; Methmini, D; Jayathilaka, R; Rathnayake, N
This study investigates the interplay of trade openness, energy consumption, and gross domestic product (GDP) on carbon emissions across different income groups, analysing data from 163 countries from 2000 to 2019. Using panel regression and multiple linear regression techniques, the findings highlight energy consumption as the principal driver of carbon emissions across all income categories, underscoring its central role in environmental sustainability challenges. High-income countries, despite technological advancements, continue to exhibit substantial emissions due to their reliance on fossil fuels. In contrast low-income nations face difficulties in balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability, often lacking the resources to adopt cleaner energy alternatives. The study emphasises the urgent need for income-specific strategies to reduce carbon emissions, advocating for the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources and tailored policy interventions. These insights align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action), by promoting the integration of economic development with environmental stewardship. By addressing disparities across income levels, this research offers actionable recommendations for policymakers to support equitable and sustainable practices globally.
Open Access
Carbon emissions and global R&D patterns: a wavelet coherence perspective
(Springer, 2025-03-23) Senevirathna, D; Gunawardana, H; Ranthilake, T; Caldera, Y; Jayathilaka, R; Rathnayake, N; Peter, S
This study examines the causality between Research and Development (R&D) and Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at the global level, utilising data gathered from 2000 to 2020 across various countries categorised as developed, developing, economies in transition, and least-developed. The data collected for the study are analysed using the Wavelet coherence methodology. The findings reveal both bidirectional and unidirectional causality between the variables, which have evolved over time. Globally, a bidirectional relationship is present in the short-term, no causality in the medium-term and unidirectional causality in the long-term. Developed countries exhibit a two-way causality in the short-term, while no causality exists in the medium-term and long-term. Developing countries show a bidirectional relationship across all time frequencies. In economies in transition, a bidirectional relationship appears towards the end of the period over the short, medium, and long-term. The least developed countries show no causality in the short and long-term, but a one-way causality in the medium-term. Governments and the policymakers can implement environmental policies to mitigate carbon emissions through R&D. The findings suggest targeted and strategic strategies to enhance the impact of R&D on emissions reduction. Policymakers can use this analysis to prioritize funding for clean energy innovations, establish incentives for low-tech technologies, and promote international cooperation in green technology research. Additionally, focusing on these carbon mechanisms and aligning R&D efforts to support development goals can increase the effectiveness of climate policies, ensuring a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability.
Open Access
CHALLENGES & PROSPECTS FOR ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF PERSONS WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENT & BLINDNESS ENGAGED IN SELFEMPLOYED VENTURES
(y Sri Lanka Forum of University Economists (SLFUE) Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, 2021-01-21) Dunuwila, V. R; Suraweera, T; Jayathilaka, R; Thelijjagoda, S
People with disabilities experience numerous barriers with regard to securing employment, thus, they are more likely to work for low wages, informally and precariously. Besides, some of them are entitled for a disability benefit which is often inadequate to cover their daily expenses (Global Disability Summit, 2018). Economic empowerment can be defined as a way of ensuring income security for people with disabilities to achieve income security, advance economically, enrich themselves through empowerment and autonomy to make economic decisions within and outside the home (Global Disability Summit, 2018). Self-employment is perceived as a viable option for empowering disabled individuals that facilitates achieving a balance between disability status and work life (Kitching, 2014; Pagán, 2009; Adams, et al., 2019). Pagán (2009) indicated the presence of a strong relationship between disability status and self-employment; thus, selfemployment rates were higher among people with disabilities compared to those who report no limitation in daily activities (Kitching, 2014; Pagán, 2009; Adams, et al., 2019). The Global Disability Summit (2018) indicates that obstacles to economic empowerment experienced by people with disabilities can vary depending on the nature of an individual’s impairment, their gender, socioeconomic status and the context in which they live. Adams, et al., (2019) further indicate that the decision to enter into self-employment for most disabled individuals were influenced by the ‘push’ factors such as lack of alternative employment opportunities, rather than the ‘pull’ factors such as passion or interest in a particular field, or the desire to work for themselves (Kitching, 2014; Adams, et al., 2019). Past research reveals that the disabled self-employed face significant problems in sustaining the business due to reasons such as consumer discrimination, inadequate training, poor access to information, absence of appropriate business support and challenges in accessing finance (Adams, et al., 2019; Kitching, 2014; Pagán, 2009; Vaziri, Schreiber, Wieching, & Wulf, 2014)
Open Access
Changing Patterns of Alcohol Use and Poverty
(Sri Lanka Economic Association, 2017-06) Jayathilaka, R
Concerns surrounding alcohol consumption and poverty have a long history, with both recognised to be important phenomena in current socio-economic policy analysis. In order to examine the impact of household level alcohol consumption on poverty, data from four micro-level surveys conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) was used. The main aim of this study is to measure the effects of alcohol consumption on the level of poverty in a systematic way. Using Sri Lanka as a case study, this paper demonstrates that consumption of alcoholic beverages has a significant positive impact on the incidence of poverty, particularly the illegal beverages. Although national poverty decreased to 8.9 per cent in 2009/10, if households consumed illegal alcoholic beverages, the probability of poverty increasing at the national level rose by 1 to 2 percentage points. This suggests the illegal alcohol consumption was also found to be highly sensitive to the changes in the incidence of poverty at the national level
Open Access
Cheers to anxiety: Granger causality insights on alcohol consumption patterns across 13 South American countries
(Springer, 2024-09-30) Palliyaguru, D; Senarathne, B; Jayathilaka, R; Rajamanthri, L; Wickramarachchi, C
Background The relationship between alcohol consumption and mental health is complex; drinking may exacerbate anxiety, and in turn, anxiety can lead to excessive drinking. This study explores the relationship between alcohol consumption patterns including wine, beer, and spirits, and anxiety prevalence in selected 13 South American nations. Methods This study utilises secondary data spanning 29 years from 1991 to 2019 obtained from the Our World in Data database. It investigates the causal link between the prevalence of anxiety and alcohol consumption in the selected countries using the Granger causality test. Results Anxiety was found to have a unidirectional effect on wine and beer consumption in Chile, Suriname, Uruguay, and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, drinking alcohol consumption appears to impact anxiety levels in Brazil. Argentina demonstrates a bidirectional relationship between anxiety and all three types of alcohol consumption, with similar patterns observed in Brazil (wine and beer), Chile (spirits), and Paraguay (spirits). Conclusion No significant causal relationships for alcohol consumption patterns were found in other nations. The identified Granger causal links follow four distinct directions in this study. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, governments, and international investors for informed decision-making regarding regulation and policy tools.
Open Access
Cherish your children: socio-economic and demographic characteristics associated with child mortality
(BioMed Central, 2021-12) Jayathilaka, R; Adikari, H; Liyanage, R; Udalagama, R; Wanigarathna, N
Background: The United Nations Interagency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNIGME) indicates that child mortality is the death rate of children between age zero to five. The importance of this area of research is high where worldwide a number of studies have been led on infant and child mortality, despite limited research discoveries with regards to Sri Lanka. The aim of this study is to investigate the socio-economic and demographic characteristics associated with child mortality in Sri Lanka. Methods: Using the context of Sri Lanka as a case study, this study carried out based on data gathered from the micro level national survey. Using the logit regression model through the step-wise technique, the study investigate the socio-economic and demographic characteristics associated with child mortality in Sri Lanka. Results: According to the generated results, place of residence province-wise, household head’s education level and source of drinking water have negative effect (lower risk) on child mortality in Sri Lanka. Exceptionally, the Western province has the highest negative effect on child mortality which demonstrates it as the least harmful region in Sri Lanka in child endurance. Household heads who owns private entities and Sri Lankan Moors has a positive effect on child mortality as well. Conclusion: This study is helpful to address the population health of local arena and results can be supportive to the government and policymakers to gain an overview of physical health status of the country and able to uplift their policies based on the new findings