Browsing by Author "Kesavarajah, M."

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    A Multivariate Cointegration Analysis of Inflation in Sri Lanka
    (2011) Kesavarajah, M.
    This study attempts to analyze the experience of inflation in Sri Lanka for the period 1978 to 2010 using the econometric framework of Johanson and Juselius cointegration approach, vector error correction model(VECM) and Granger causality analysis. The Annual time series data drawn from various annual reports of Central Bank of Sri Lanka were used in this study. The empirical results of the study indicate the existence of long run dynamic relationships among the variables. Vector error correction model shows that money supply growth, budget deficit, and exchange rate depreciation have significant positive effects on inflation. Evidence from Granger causality analysis suggests the existence of unidirectional causality from money supply to inflation, exchange rate to inflation and budget deficit to inflation is significant, while the causal relationship from inflation to money supply, exchange rate and budget deficit is insignificant. Hence, the results of this study emphasize the need to put in place a stable macroeconomic policy environment relating to these variables in an effort to maintain price stability, since low inflation would enhance economic growth.
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    Causality between Public Expenditure and Economic Growth in Sri Lanka: A Time Series Analysis
    (University of Kelaniya, 2012) Kesavarajah, M.
    This paper examines the causality between public expenditure and economic growth in Sri Lanka using time series annual data over the period of 1977-2009. In particular, this study keeps a special focused on various selected components of public expenditure by applying a multivariate cointegration and Vector Error Correction Modeling (VECM) techniques. The empirical evidence suggests, in long run, public expenditure on education, agriculture, health and transport and communication have positive and statistically significant effects on economic growth while defense expenditure shows a negative but a statistically significant effect on economic growth. Granger causality analysis confirms that there is a unidirectional causality running from education expenditure to economic growth, defense expenditure to economic growth, and agriculture expenditure to economic growth, which supports the existence of Keynesian hypothesis in Sri Lanka. Analysis also indicates that existence of bidirectional causality between health expenditure and economic growth, transport and communication expenditure and economic growth. Therefore, the findings of this study provide an important implication to policy makers to improve the efficiency of public expenditure by reallocating among sectors in a growth context.