The controversy surrounding Sri Lanka's privatising education system is one of the most pressing social and political issues facing the country today. This paper explores the history of this debate by drawing connections to broader processes of colonialism and neoliberalism. Particularly, this paper traces the shifting sociocultural functions of…

Patterns of college admission, attendance, fields of study, student background, and employment for women in Sri Lanka are examined. Sex stereotypes and lifelong sex-based socialization there are found to account for the lack of progress in women's employment and participation in higher education. (MSE)