Though Sri Lanka leads it’s neighbours on the human development index and has the highest literacy rate in the region with over 90% of all adults literate. Yet, teachers are paid the lowest of all government officials in the country, which has led to low teacher morale forcing them to take second jobs, the report said. Even in the provision of health, water and sanitation services again Sri Lanka leads the region but 22 per cent of its population still remains without access to safe drinking water. Creeping user fees at public health facilities as well as the inadequate health facilities in the plantation areas keep out the poorest of the poor from accessing basic facilities.

Key recommendations include ensuring teacher salaries are increased to at least three and a half times the national per capita GDP.

"Sri Lanka has shown immense commitment in the past to social development. What it needs now is to renew that strong commitment by improving access to basic services for the plantation workers, the tsunami and conflict affect people in the country" said Joan Summers, Country Programme Representative, Sri Lanka "The Sri Lankan government can priorities and stem regional disparities in delivering the essential services with a mixture of right policies and sincere political commitment".

Economist and social activist Jean Dreze, in his foreword to the report, said, "Essential services are fundamental rights of all citizens, rather than a form of State largesse.