Insert photo here PHOTO CREDIT: SDGAP STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT (SDGAP) IN SRI LANKA QUARTERLY REPORT: 2019, QUARTER 2 JANUARY 1, 2019- MARCH 31, 2019 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by DAI Global LLC. The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. Cover photo: SDGAP STAFF REGISTER PARTICIPANTS OF A WORKSHOP USING THE FULCRUM APPLICATION. Photo credit: Cane Mario for USAID SDGAP This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by DAI Global LLC. The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. STRENGTHENING DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT (SDGAP) IN SRI LANKA QUARTERLY REPORT: 2019, QUARTER 2 JANUARY 1, 2019- MARCH 31, 2019 PROGRAM TITLE: USAID SDGAP IN SRI LANKA DAI PROJECT NUMBER: 1002967 SPONSORING USAID OFFICE: USAID/SRI LANKA & MALDIVES IDIQ NUMBER: AID-OAA-1-12-00003 TASK ORDER NUMBER: AID-383-TO-16-00002 CONTRACTOR: DAI GLOBAL LLC DATE OF PUBLICATION: MAY 7, 2019 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT: 2019, QUARTER 2 USAID.GOV CONTENTS ACRONYMS 1 PROGRAM OVERVIEW 3 PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 4 PROGRESS IN ACHIEVING CONTRACT DELIVERABLES 5 SUMMARY OF PROGRESS 6 TASK 1: STRENGTHENING PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEMS 6 CURBING BRIBERY AND CORRUPTION 6 GREATER PARLIAMENTARY OVERSIGHT AND LEGAL REFORM FOR STRENGTHENED DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE 9 STRENGTHENED PARLIAMENT SECRETARIAT: CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVES & TECHNICAL EXPERTISE 10 SDGAP’S PUBLIC FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (PFM) REFORM TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 12 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE (NAO): WIDENING THE PFM NET 12 OTHER AREAS OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 14 TASK 2: IMPROVING STRATEGIC PLANNING AND COMMUNICATION, POLICY REFORM AND IMPLEMENTATION PROCESSES 15 GOOD GOVERNANCE BY INSTITUTIONALIZING THE USE OF EVIDENCE IN PARLIAMENTARY FUNCTIONS 16 CAPACITY STRENGTHENING OF THE STATE SECTOR IN PLANNING FOR RESULTS 19 A DIGITAL PLATFORM TO MONITOR PROGRESS TOWARDS THE SDGS AND THE 2030 AGENDA 19 THE OPEN GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP (OGP) 20 A MODERN PARLIAMENTARY MEDIA CENTER 20 TASK 3: INCREASING POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN AND UNDER REPRESENTED GROUPS IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE 22 AN ACTION PLAN FOR THE WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS’ CAUCUS 22 LOBBYING: SOCWG & MALE GENDER CHAMPIONS FOR POLICY REFORM THROUGH PRIVATE MEMBER BILLS23 LAUNCH OF A NATIONAL LEVEL CAMPAIGN TO CELEBRATE SRI LANKAN WOMEN CHANGEMAKERS AND REDEFINE PUBLIC PERCEPTION 24 THE DIAMOND LEADERSHIP MODEL (DLM) STUDY - A RESEARCH INITIATIVE TO ASSESS WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION GOVERNMENT 25 GRANTS 26 CHALLENGES AND REMEDIAL ACTIONS 31 ACTIVITY MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING PLAN (AMELP) 33 COLLABORATING, LEARNING, ADAPTING (CLA) 37 FINANCE AND OPERATIONS 39 RECRUITMENT 39 PROCUREMENT 40 FINANCE 41 PLANS FOR QUARTER 3, YEAR 3 42 ANNEX 1 – RESULTS SUMMARY 44 SDGAP PERFORMANCE MONITORING INDICATORS, YEAR 3 QUARTER 2, JANUARY–MARCH 2019 44 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT: 2019, QUARTER 2 USAID.GOV SDGAP RESULTS FRAMEWORK INDICATORS (19) 44 ANNEX 2 – PROJECT ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 59 ANNEX 3 – SUCCESS STORIES 60 USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT: 2019, QUARTER 2 USAID.GOV ACRONYMS AGDSL Auditor General’s Department of Sri Lanka AFRIEL Association of Friendship and Love AMELP Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan AWAW Association of War Affected Women CDF Community Development Foundation CLA Collaborating, Learning, Adapting CIABOC Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption COPA Committee on Public Accounts COPE Committee on Public Enterprises CoPF Committee on Public Finance CPA Center for Policy Alternatives DLM Diamond Leadership Model DMS Data Management Systems EIGR Evidence Informed Governance for Results GoSL Government of Sri Lanka GRB Gender Responsive Budgeting IDIQ Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity JSAC Jaffna Social Action Center KII Key Informant Interviews MfDR Managing for Development Results MoF Ministry of Finance MMDA Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act MONPEA Ministry of National Planning and Economic Affairs MOWCA Ministry of Women and Child Affairs MP Member of Parliament MSDW Ministry of Sustainable Development and Wildlife MWRAF Muslim Women’s Research Action Forum NAO National Audit Office NAP National Action Plan NAPCC National Action Plan for Combatting Corruption NEP National Evaluation Policy NPC National Police Commission NPC National Procurement Commission OGP Open Government Partnership PBO Parliamentary Budget Office PFC Public Finance Committee PFM Public Finance Management PMC Parliamentary Media Center PRU Parliamentary Research Unit PPP Public Private Partnerships RTI Right to Information RTIC Right to Information Commission SDG Sustainable Development Goals SDGAP Strengthening Democratic Governance and Accountability Project SG Secretary General SLIDA Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administrators SLPFE Sri Lanka Parliamentarians Forum for Evaluation SLPI Sri Lanka Press Institute SO Standing Orders SOC Sectoral Oversight Committee 1 | USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT: 2019, QUARTER 2 USAID.GOV SOCED Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development SOCIR Sectoral Oversight Committee on International Relations SOCLAM Sectoral Oversight Committee on Legal Affairs and Media SOCWG Sectoral Oversight Committee on Women and Gender SPSS Statistical Package for Social Scientists TISL Transparency International Sri Lanka TOR Terms of Reference ToT Trainer of Trainers UNCAC United Nations Convention against Corruption 2 | USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT: 2019, QUARTER 2 USAID.GOV PROGRAM OVERVIEW In early 2019, the fledgling post-war democratic state of Sri Lanka remained on shaky ground as it began to resume key functions and cope with the repercussions of the previous quarter. The former Defense Secretary and former Speaker of Parliament signaled their presidential candidacy for Presidential elections just days into the new year. These uneasy alliances; a previous regime trying to regain its power and a loss of accountability, transparency and democratic governance structures represented a concrete threat to this post-war democracy. SDGAP’s support to the Parliament of Sri Lanka, other government counterparts, and civil society became more important than ever. Key government functions slowly began to resume. The presentation, debate and passing of the 2019 budget began in March. It is expected that the budget will be passed by April. Work toward holding provincial council elections, which have already faced several delays with several terms having come to an end, also commenced. The call for greater representation at various levels was renewed by efforts such as amendments to the Companies Act by Member of Parliament (MP) Tharaka Balasuriya, who proposed the mandate that at least one third of a company board be represented by a female member, where practically possible. SDGAP was involved in this initiative, helping the MP secure expert advice on the subject through consultations with several subject specialists. As a means of ensuring greater transparency and accountability, especially within various levels of government, on February 28th, five parliamentarians representing various political groups released details of their Asset Declarations. The disclosure of documents pertaining to the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities took place at a media event organized by Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) - an SDGAP grantee. This marked the first time a group of MPs from multiple political parties came together to make this information public. The asset declarations of these MPs can be viewed at: www.tisrilanka.org/MPassets. Such actions demonstrated that the Parliament of Sri Lanka recognizes the importance of transparency and accountability and is taking steps to move forward, starting with its own members. While this is a positive step towards bringing not only political stability but also overall progress and development, the breakdown of political relations also means that challenges in governance do still lie ahead. As a return to a more stable political and economic environment slowly gathered momentum, SDGAP remained focused on forging and strengthening its relationships with key partners and revived previously delayed activities. The quarter involved a lot of work directed towards the areas of anti-corruption; supporting Parliament’s Sectoral Oversight Committees (SOCs) in opening key areas of work to both the public and civil society; and, subsequently, a greater focus on outreach, improved awareness and advocacy to ensure greater representation and accountability. As it edges to closer to the project end date, SDGAP continues to ramp up activities and work with a range of partners to secure its contribution to strengthening public accountability, improved strategic communication and policy, and the increased political participation and representation of women and under-represented groups. SDGAP continues these efforts so it can leave behind longer lasting institutional frameworks and a legacy of having contributed to Sri Lanka’s sustained and strengthened democratic governance. 3 | USAID SDGAP QUARTERLY REPORT: 2019, QUARTER 2 USAID.GOV PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 4 | USAID SDGAP