Chathurga Karunanayake

Researcher in Economics | Guest Lecturer in Consumption Behaviour and Luxury Consumption Patterns | Part-time Pianist | Opinions are my own.

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

Increasing & simplifying excise taxes are the most cost-effective tools that governments can employ to reduce smoking rates.
To learn more, read blog by @harini_wee & @hrathilanka.
👉https://t.co/EoSHvr7tUf
#WorldNoTobaccoDay2021 #WNTD2021 #NoTobaccoDay #CommitToQuit #SriLanka

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

Smokers are more prone to adverse to #COVID19 outcomes than non-smokers & represent a higher healthcare burden.
Blog by @SunimaleeM calls for a temporary ban on cigarette sales in #SriLanka.👉https://t.co/MbIgtXRQki
#WorldNoTobaccoDay2021 #WNTD2021 #NoTobaccoDay #CommitToQuit🚭

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

Today is #WorldNoTobaccoDay2021!🚭
New IPS study calls for strengthening & expanding Tobacco-Free Zones to end smoking in #SriLanka.
To learn about the issues around TFZs & how they can be addressed, read Policy Brief by @SunimaleeM
👉https://t.co/xbMGXo0rZn
#WNTD2021 #LKA

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

Tobacco cultivation can threaten #foodsecurity during #COVID19 & beyond. It also incurs huge environmental costs. Read blog by @Nimesha_91 to find out more.👉https://t.co/CErupiQ1nY
#WorldNoTobaccoDay2021 #WNTD2021 #NoTobaccoDay #CommitToQuit #LKA #SriLanka🚭

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

Smoking & #COVID19 is a deadly combination!
As the pandemic continues to claim thousands of lives & disrupt economic activities, quitting can save lives & livelihoods. Read blog by @ChathurgaK
👉https://t.co/aR20VUGTTA
#WorldNoTobaccoDay2021 #CommitToQuit #WNTD2021 #NoTobaccoDay

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

🔊New blog by @ChathurgaK written ahead of #WorldNoTobaccoDay2021 advocates strengthening existing Tobacco Free Zones & creating new ones as a long-term policy measure to promote smoking cessation.

https://t.co/Y9zkgAspWA

#WNTD2021 #NoTobaccoDay #CommitToQuit

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

🔊New Release!

#SriLanka has made important strides in reducing the overall smoking prevalence rate over time. To bring down the rate further, targetted measures are needed to reduce smoking among ‘Last Mile Smokers’.
To learn more, read full report: https://t.co/9MawJ2QN0A

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

#DYK
➡️52% of current smokers have attempted to quit.
➡️35% of smokers have been advised to quit.
➡️26% of current smokers have sought smoking cessation support.

To learn more, read IPS' report on Tobacco Smoking Cessation: Lessons and Policy Options: https://t.co/9MawJ2zc92

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

#SriLanka’s returning migrants need more than plane tickets and quarantines; bringing migrants home during the pandemic is not only a health concern but a social and economic one as well, writes @bilesha_w in her new article for @opendemocracy.
For more⬇️ https://t.co/C0b17gdgkw

[Sunimalee Madurawala @SunimaleeM]

@TalkEconomicsSL @ChathurgaK #MentalHealth is one of the main areas that needs more attention during a #pandemic. People suffer immensely from the #lossofemployment, the physical effects of infection and the mental trauma and fear and the deaths of friends and family. #LKA @TalkEconomicsSL #SLBudget21

[Kithmina Hewage @khewage1]

The most important caveats about the budget are, implementation, policy stability, & fiscal discipline. Sri Lankan govts across the spectrum have historically done poorly with regards to implementing budget proposals and maintaining policy stability. #SLBudget21 @TalkEconomicsSL

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

Q: The government has pledged to construct of 50,000 urban housing units and grant ownership of a house to shanty dwellers. Is this sufficient to improve their living conditions?

@ChathurgaK

#SLBudget21

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

Q: The Government has pledged to improve the technology sector. How will this help our young women and men?

@ChathurgaK

#SLBudget21

[IPS Sri Lanka @TalkEcon_IPS]

Q: The Budget 2021 offers programmes for prevention and control of #NCDs and aims to expand the health services to safeguard people from pandemics.

Are there any areas the government should prioritise in this regard?

@ChathurgaK

#SLBudget21

[Chathurga Karunanayake @ChathurgaK]

@TalkEconomicsSL In #SriLanka more than 20,000 people are #Killed every year by #tobacco-related #NCDs. Taking measures to reduce smoking prevalence in Sri Lanka will be beneficial in the control of non-communicable diseases and avoiding the burden on the #publichealth care system.#SLBudget21

[Chathurga Karunanayake @ChathurgaK]

@TalkEconomicsSL As the #WHO points out, most of the #NCDs are caused through #smoking. As such, it is important that these programs include targeted and effective tobacco smoking
#cessation programs and #policies.

#SLBudget21

[Bilesha Weeraratne @bilesha_w]

@TalkEconomicsSL Our studies show that often #migrantworkers use informal channels due to low forex rate in formal channels. Hopefully, this move can encourage a shift from informal to formal #remittance channels.

https://t.co/Va0LNOufQU

[Nisha Arunatilake @ArunatilakeN]

@TalkEconomicsSL It is important to develop the #vocational training sector. But investing in facilities is not sufficient. A holistic set of reforms are necessary for the sustained development of the sector. The National policy on TVEC sector discusses these.

[Chathurga Karunanayake @ChathurgaK]

@TalkEconomicsSL The organization and #Governance of the #education system will need to change in the long run, so that young men and women are able to #adopt to #futureofwork. The #education system will need to take this into account and offer opportunities for lifelong learning.
#SLBudget21

[Chathurga Karunanayake @ChathurgaK]

@TalkEconomicsSL According to #IPS research 70.25 per cent of workers in #SriLanka, are involved in #Jobs that have more than a 70 per cent chance of getting outdated – meaning those jobs are potentially getting outdated with #technological #development.

#SLBudget21