Sri Lanka holds the highest proportion of public servants as a percentage of total employment in Asia, with public sector employees making up 15% of the workforce. In comparison, the figure stands at 9% in India and 5% in Bangladesh.
Presidential Advisor Duminda Hulangamuwa recently highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that the current number of public servants is excessively high. He warned that unless the workforce is reduced by approximately 700,000 in the near future, the strain on the economy could become unsustainable.
This statement underscores growing concerns about the financial and structural challenges posed by Sri Lanka’s bloated public sector.
