How Equal is Access to Public Services? The Impact of Sociodemographic Background on Public Service Delivery in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Existing evidence strongly supports the thesis that sociodemographic variables, such as ethnicity, various forms of identity affiliation (religion, caste, and language), social norms, and level of education, tend to influence citizens’ ability to gain access to public services in developing societies. This article explores the extent to which ethnicity, social identities, and level of education influence access to public services in the Sri Lankan context, taking the plantation community as a case in point. The article finds that though there are constitutional mandates ensuring citizenry rights and entitlements to public services, sociodemographic factors considerably limit those rights for deprived communities. Based on the evidence, it is argued that improving the quality of governance and access to education for marginalized communities tends to reduce the discrimination suffered by these communities and to hold public institutions accountable. Thus, this study seeks to contribute to the existing literature on good governance and the delivery of public services to marginalized communities through focusing on the importance of sociodemographic conditions.