External review is an important mandated activity of Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy (SLCARP) to measure research performances of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS) institutions. Main objectives of these external reviews are to evaluate the performances; to recognize good practices; to facilitate continuous improvements; and to inculcate the research culture into the NARS. The main features of external review are self-evaluation by the institution, including a review visit and perusal of evidence culminating in a review report with judgment and commentary. The overall purpose of external review is to achieve research goals, and by using a peer review process to promote sharing of good practices and to facilitate continuous improvement. This overall purpose can be
sub-divided into five specific aspects. 
 

1. Confidence - to inculcate self-confidence within the capacity of institution to safeguard standards, both internally and externally, through a transparent process which involves and is owned by staff throughout the institution.  
    
2. Accountability - to achieve accountability through external review and public report of an institution's evidence of its own to the mandate given and actions taken to improve and be responsive the national agricultural research system.  
    
3. Information - to provide systematic, clear, and accessible information on the standards that are relevant to the national agricultural research system.  
    
4. Improvement - to promote improvement by identifying and sharing strengths and weaknesses through external review, comply with national the standers of the national agricultural research system.  
    
5. Innovation - to showcase innovative agricultural practices, community extension, management, linkages or income generation to meet national or regional needs that could be recognized by the external review panel.  

External Review Reports

 

2017
National Institute of Post-harvest Management – NIPHM	Fruit Research and Development Institute - FRDI

2018
National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency - NARA	Veterinary Research Institute - VRI
Palmyrah Research Institute - PRI	Field Crop Research & Development Institute - FCRDI
Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research & Training Institute - HARTI	Sugarcane Research Institute - SRI

2019
Coconut Research Institute - CRI	National Plant Quarantine Service - NPQS

2020
Sri Lanka Council for Agricultural Research Policy - SLCARP	Department of National Botanic Garden - DNBG
Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation - SLCC

2022
Natural Resources Management Centre - NRMC