Sri Lanka shows mixed results in Millennium Development Goals

Sri Lanka is facing a mixed score card with regard to its progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), according to the latest Asian Development Bank (ADB) report released here.

Out of the 21 broader goals, Sri Lanka has progressed to an "early achiever" on 11 of those whilst being on track on four goals, reported Xinhua.

However on the two aspects of forest cover and CO2 emissions, Sri Lanka is regressing and on four goals Sri Lanka's progress is slow, it added.

From the total amount of funds approved, 21 percent has been assigned for water supply and sanitation in Sri Lanka while the progress on this front has also been on-track, according to the report.

The Sri Lankan government often uses the MDGs as a measure for putting the island ahead of its neighbours and to show sustainable and equitable development.

However, poor education, better nutrition among children under five years of age and environmental conservation has placed fresh challenges in recent years.

Adoption of the MDGs, which the UN announced in 2001, by governments in Asia and the Pacific offered great promise for focusing attention on the poor and accelerating socioeconomic development.

Among the eight MDGs are targets to halve the number of people living in extreme poverty, attain universal primary education, and promote environmental sustainability.