mine. Low infant-mortality rates, hiqh average expectation of life at birth, hiqh adult-literacy rates for both men and women have been achieved in Sri Lanka with sensible social development policies adopted over some 40 years. While hard-earned gains were recently threatened by internal conflicts that now have been satisfactorily resolved, in order to revitalize growth and sustain development Sri Lanka has been followinq liberal economic policies since 1977 and now has possibly the freest economic regime in South Asia. JVM/12 A/S-18/PV.lO 41 (Mr ~·Perera,· Sri· Lanka) Being a small fsland-na tion not endowed with natural resources such as Petroleum and other minerals, Sri Lanka has depended far too long on Primary comnodi ties -tea, rubber and coconut -to earn foreiqn exchange. In a chanqinq international economic environment, Sri Lanka took steps to diversifv the economv and also make it broad-based, ensurinq that the benefits elicited from that exercise reached, as far as possible, the lower strata of society. Tourism and light export industries became major: sources of employment and foreiqrn exchanqe. Yet the narrc:Mness of markets limited the rate of q rc:Mth of these industries. Consequently there is the problem of providinq adequately Productive emPloyment opportunities to a healthv, hiqhly literate and voung work force. The resultinq position is a major challenge to all of us, especiallv at a time when the International Development Strateqv for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade is beinq written. The Government of Sri Lanka has undertaken two major and substantive programmes to alleviate the plight of the poor. The first is the Village Reawakening Programme, the aim of which is to Provide 1.5 million new houses. Some 80 per cent of our people live in rural areas and it is the imProvement of the housing and sanitation in these villages rather than qrandiose housing 
**Analysis**
The text discusses Sri Lanka's economic development, social policies, and challenges in providing employment opportunities to its young and literate workforce. It highlights the country's efforts to diversify its economy, improve living conditions, and alleviate poverty. While it touches on international trade and the impact of natural resources, the focus is primarily on the country's economic development and social policies.

**Category**
Economic development, Employment