- Secretariat presently creating thematic subject cluster links
One of the key challenges faced by the authorities when it comes to managing the country’s non-governmental organisations (NGO) is NGOs obtaining legal registration under various laws, which make it difficult to properly work with and monitor them. Although laws are currently being formulated to address this issue, among others, support from NGOs would be instrumental to overcome this challenge.
The National Secretariat for NGOs Director General Sanjeewa Wimalagunarathna made these remarks to The Daily Morning while speaking about the Doing Good Index 2024, which has upgraded Sri Lanka from its 2022 ‘Not Doing Enough’ status to ‘Doing Okay’ status this year. He stressed that the country has achieved this status by addressing several inadequacies that were present in 2022, one of them being the need to have an easily accessible mechanism.
“At present, various initiatives such as the digitisation programme are in progress. If these are continued until 2025 (next year when the next assessment would be carried out), Sri Lanka would be able to reach the next level, i.e. Doing Better,” Wimalagunarathna opined, adding that the Secretariat is currently engaged in a number of activities including creating clusters linking NGOs working for particular causes, such as social welfare, health, and reconciliation, with the government entities engaged in similar activities to improve coordination, assistance, and outcomes.
The Index, which examines the readiness of Asia’s social sectors to thrive, said that when it comes to the ease of setting up a social delivery organisation (SDO), one clearance is required and around 60 days is required to obtain clearance. The report said that around 48% of SDOs feel trusted by society, 31% by the Government, and 41% by corporates. In Sri Lanka, SDOs receiving government procurement contracts have increased from 10% in 2022 to 12% in 2024.
In addition, with regard to the tax and fiscal policy, the report noted that tax incentives are available for individual charitable donations and corporate charitable donations in Sri Lanka. While SDOs are not eligible for tax exempt status, companies are not mandated to engage in corporate social responsibility activities.