The Data Validation Workshop for the Finance, Planning and Statistics Thematic Group was successfully conducted in a virtual format on 8 July 2026

The Data Validation Workshop for the Finance, Planning & Statistics Thematic Group was successfully conducted on 8 July 2026 in virtual format. The workshop focused on reviewing the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators relevant to the thematic area, with particular emphasis on indicators related to public finance, macroeconomic performance, domestic resource mobilization, official development assistance, sustainable financing, national planning, governance and access to information and technology. Discussions centered on revisiting selected indicators and targets to ensure better alignment with national priorities and relevant international commitments.

The session also facilitated the identification of localized/proxy SDG indicators to better reflect the national context, ongoing government initiatives and areas where Sri Lanka demonstrates comparatively strong performance in SDG implementation. Key discussion areas included assessing the current availability and quality of data, identifying data gaps and clarifying institutional responsibilities for data reporting. In addition, the proposed SDG targets were reviewed primarily by the mandated agencies responsible for the respective indicators, particularly for indicators derived from key surveys conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, to ensure that the targets are realistic and aligned with national priorities.

The session was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Digital Economy, Ministry of Energy, Department of External Resources, Department of National Budget, Department of National Planning, Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka, Right to Information Commission of Sri Lanka, Department of Labour, National Water Supply and Drainage Board and the Water Resources Board. The representative of the Department of Census and Statistics also attended as an observer to provide technical assistance in validating the data.