Title: Fertility Transition in Sri Lanka:Programme and Non-Programme Factors
Description: During the past four decades, Sri Lanka has experienced significant changes in the level and pattern of fertility. The total fertility rate has declined from about 5 children per woman in the early 1960s to near replacement level by the end of 1990s. Undoubtedly, there have been in operation a host of programme and non-programme factors which have facilitated the development of the social environment in which reduced fertility has emerged as an important demographic trend. The programme factors are examined under the following areas: policy environment and strategies, institutional development managerial processes and contraceptive services.

A unique feature of the managerial process of Sri Lanka's population programme is that both health professionals and population planners have worked in close collaboration to face challenges and find solutions to the emerging population issues that confronted Sri Lanka during the latter half of the past century.

The non-programme factors that discussed are: participation of NGOs,Socio-economic development, rise in age at marriage, induced abortion, breastfeeding, and decline in infant mortality.

From the discussion of the paper it is evident that a host of programme and non-programme factors have contributed to fertility decline in Sri Lanka during the past four decades. What has been unique in the Sri Lankan experience is that enlightened social development policies and programmes have been accompanied by the commitment and dedication of health personnel and population planners who made the right choices at the right time to bring about the desired changes in fertility.