Comparative discussion on the pre and post COVID-19 situations faced by the Sri Lanka and

Japan
Pre and Post situation of Sri Lanka

manufacturing industry:
Before
Sri Lanka's manufacturing industry is varied, encompassing electronics, food processing, rubber-based
goods, textiles and clothing, and more. The creation of exports and jobs made the manufacturing sector a
significant contributor to economic growth. Sri Lanka was well-known for exporting high-quality clothing
and had become a center for the manufacture of clothing.
After
The manufacturing industry, which comprises the textile, apparel, and electronics industries, encountered
difficulties as well. Production and export capacities were hampered by lockdown measures, reduced
demand, and supply chain interruptions. However, the industry has shown resilient and adaptable, as
manufacturers have added safety precautions and expanded their product offerings.

Agriculture:
Before
Since it employs a large section of the workforce and helps to provide food security, agriculture is an
important industry in Sri Lanka. Rice, tea, rubber, coconuts, spices, and fruits are just a few of the various
agricultural goods that are produced in the nation. Both domestic consumption and exports were
significantly influenced by Sri Lanka's agriculture industry.
After
Both favorable and unfavorable effects were seen by the agriculture sector. The supply chain and market
access were initially impacted by the lockdowns, but import limitations and an emphasis on self-sufficiency
encouraged demand for local produce. Farmers were forced to adapt new practices, including selling their
produce online. The industry still has issues with access to markets and a lack of available workers, though.

Information Technology (IT):

Before
The IT industry in Sri Lanka had been expanding strongly before the outbreak. The nation had established
itself as a location for the outsourcing of IT and software services. Sri Lankan IT firms provide contact
center operations, business process outsourcing, software development, and IT consulting services..
After
There has been a movement toward remote work and digital solutions in the IT and BPM industries. The
pandemic led to a greater dependence on technology, which raised demand for software development,
digital marketing, and e-commerce services. The effective adoption of remote work by many businesses
helped to fuel the expansion of the industry.

Construction:
Before
Before the epidemic, the building industry in Sri Lanka had great expansion and development. Investments
were made in infrastructure projects, such as roads, ports, airports, homes, and office buildings, by both the
public and private sectors. Economic expansion, employment creation, and urban development were all
influenced by the building sector.
After
Due to labor shortages, supply chain problems, and project delays, the construction industry experienced
disruptions. The government's efforts to enhance infrastructure, including as housing projects and road
building, continued to fuel the sector's revival, nonetheless.

Education sector:
Before
The Sri Lankan educational system encountered a number of difficulties and underwent certain
modifications prior to COVID-19. With a high percentage of literacy and a large number of schools, Sri
Lanka has achieved considerable progress in terms of access to education. Urban regions frequently had
superior resources and amenities than rural ones, therefore there were differences between the two. It's
critical to remember that even prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the education system was still facing
problems and had room for improvement. The literacy rate in Sri Lanka for 2020 was 92.38%, up 0.13%
from 2019. The literacy rate in Sri Lanka for 2019 was 92.25%, up 0.54% from 2018. 2018 had a 0.19%
decrease from 2017 in Sri Lanka's literacy rate, which was 91.71%.
After
Education: As schools and universities shuttered, the education industry was severely disrupted, which
prompted the growth of online learning platforms. For pupils who had limited access to technology and the
internet, the digital divide presented difficulties. While this pushed the use of technology in education, it
also emphasized the need for infrastructure upgrades. Institutions had to adjust to online teaching
techniques.
Health sector:
Before
Prior to COVID-19, Sri Lanka's health industry faced a number of obstacles and chances. With a nationwide
network of hospitals, clinics, and health centers, Sri Lanka has a rather well-developed healthcare system.
Particularly in the fields of maternity and child health, vaccination, and disease management, Sri Lanka had
developed a number of effective public health projects. Doctors, nurses, and other allied health personnel
might be found in Sri Lanka in reasonably large numbers. A significant number of healthcare graduates are
produced annually thanks to the nation's investments in medical education and training.
After
Due to the pandemic, the demand for medical services, testing, and treatment increased dramatically in the
healthcare industry. The crisis was successfully managed with the help of hospitals, clinics, and
pharmaceutical firms. The industry saw a growth in infrastructure investments for the healthcare system as
well as the adoption of digital health technologies.

Pre and Post Situation of Japan

Manufacturing:
Before
Japan's manufacturing industry is sizable and renowned for its cutting-edge technologies and superior
goods. However, prior to COVID-19, Japan's industrial industry experienced difficulties because of things
like an aging labor force, a lack of available workers, and competition from other Asian nations. The
industry was gradually embracing automation and digitalization to increase production and efficiency.
After
A key component of Japan's economy, the manufacturing sector, had difficulties as a result of supply chain
disruptions, decreased demand, and production slowdowns. Particularly impacted were the automobile,
electronics, and equipment industries. Some businesses, however, adjusted by refocusing their
manufacturing on necessities like medical gear and personal protective equipment (PPE). As the worldwide
demand grows, the sector is gradually recovering.

Automotive Industry:
Before
Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are just a few of the well-known vehicle manufacturers in Japan. Prior to
COVID-19, the automobile sector was confronted with a number of difficulties, including weak local
demand and diminishing global sales. To stay competitive, the industry was making investments in EVs and
autonomous driving technology.
After
Should add

Technology and Innovation:

Before
For its developments in robotics, electronics, and telecommunications, Japan has a strong technology and
innovation industry. In order to keep on the cutting edge of technological advancement, the nation's tech
corporations were spending money on R&D. Government measures were helping to fuel the growth of
startups and entrepreneurship.
After
The epidemic hastened the introduction of digital technology across a range of industries. Online services,
teleconferencing, and remote work all increased in popularity. The IT sector in Japan expanded in fields
including digital payments, contactless technology, and e-commerce. The administration has highlighted
innovation and digital transformation as important forces behind the resurgence of the economy.
Agriculture:
Before
The necessity for technology and an aging farming population were two issues that Japan's agriculture had
to deal with. Prior to COVID-19, the industry worked to raise awareness of sustainable practices, increase
production, and strengthen the marketability of Japanese agricultural goods.
After
Should Add

Health sector:
Before
The medical device and healthcare industries in Japan were early adopters of technological improvements. A
robust ecosystem for medical research and development exists in the nation, and as a result, breakthroughs
in fields like robotics, telemedicine, and diagnostic imaging have been made. These developments were
made to enhance the quality of patient care and healthcare delivery.
After
The rise of Covid-19 cases placed a heavy burden on the healthcare industry. The vanguard of the crisis
management was led by hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals. An surge in the demand for medical
services, tests, and immunizations necessitated resource allocation and infrastructural changes. The
epidemic also made telemedicine and digital health solutions more important than ever.
Education System:
Before
The educational system in Japan is highly developed and places a premium on academic success. The nation
has a system of compulsory education that guarantees all children have access to school. The educational
system is quite regimented, putting a lot of emphasis on standardized testing and demanding admission
exams for graduate school. Japan is renowned for its top-notch educational system, and PISA results show
that Japanese pupils routinely outperform students from other countries in this regard. The emphasis in the
education sector was on fostering academic achievement in disciplines like science, literature, and
mathematics.
After
In Japan, traditional classroom-based education had to be disrupted as schools and colleges had to adjust to
remote learning during lockdowns. Students had difficulties as a result of restricted access to technology and
internet connectivity, and institutions created online teaching approaches. The epidemic hastened the
adoption of technology in education, resulting in long-lasting modifications to instructional strategies.

Food and Beverage:

Before
Restaurants, bars, and cafés had to deal with operating-hour limitations, capacity restrictions, and temporary
closures. Both consumer traffic and tourism-related activity fell off, which hurt the industry. However, total
sales and revenue fell. Delivery and takeout services grew increasingly popular. As limitations loosen, the
industry is steadily rebounding.

After Should Add

 SL
Tourism:
Before
COVID-19, Sri Lanka's tourist sector was prospering. The number of tourists entering the country increased
significantly, with an increasing number of foreign tourists drawn to its beaches, cultural landmarks,
wildlife, and legacy. The economy benefited greatly from the tourist industry's contribution of income and
job possibilities..
After
The suspension of all passenger flights and ship arrivals as of March 18, 2020, together with the issuing of
tourist visas, resulted in a dramatic fall in tourism-related earnings in 2020. The total number of tourists who
visited during the year was only 507,704; they were made up of 507,311 visitors who came during the first
three months of 2020 and 393 visitors from the Ukraine who came as part of a trial project based on the idea
of "bio bubbles" in December 2020. Therefore, compared to the previous year, there was a 73.5 percent
decrease in visitor arrivals. Estimated tourism earnings for 2020, which are based on visitor arrivals, showed
a drop of 81.1% to US$682 million. The epidemic had a serious impact on the Sri Lankan tourist sector.
International and domestic tourism were severely impacted by travel restrictions, lockdowns, and border
closures. Due to the sharp decline in visitor numbers, hotels, resorts, restaurants, and tour companies
suffered severe losses. Even if travel restrictions have been eased, it will still take some time for the sector
to return to its pre-pandemic levels.
Economic Sector
Before
Should add
After
The COVID-19 outbreak, a previously unheard-of worldwide health emergency that surfaced in late 2019,
has had a number of negative social and economic repercussions that have forced governments to
implement new economic and strategic plans in order to deal with the resulting problematic scenario. Global
commercial and trade activity have been disrupted as a result of the lockdown measures taken in response to
the COVID-19 outbreak, which have limited cross-border movement of people and products. Additionally,
declining remittances and investment, namely foreign direct investment, have hurt emerging economies. As
a result, the rapid drop in global GDP during the COVID-19 epidemic can cause a lengthier economic
recovery than anticipated because the virus is still widespread and many outbreaks and spikes in infection
are still being recorded globally.

Japan
Tourism:
Before
Prior to COVID-19, the tourist sector in Japan was expanding significantly. Due in large part to occasions
like the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics (which were eventually postponed), the nation was luring a
sizable number of tourists from outside. Through purchases of lodging, transportation, and attractions, the
tourist industry boosted the national economy.
After
The epidemic had a significant impact on the tourist sector in Japan. International and domestic tourism
significantly decreased as a result of travel restrictions, quarantine procedures, and the delay of important
events like the Tokyo Olympics. There were huge losses for hotels, eateries, tour operators, and other
connected enterprises. Although the government has put in place measures to help the sector, recovery is
sluggish and depends on the general state of affairs.
Financial Services:
Before
Major banks, insurance companies, and securities firms make up the established financial services industry
in Japan. Prior to COVID-19, the industry had to contend with problems including low interest rates, an
aging population, and heightened competition from fintech and digital banking firms. The market was
adjusting to shifting customer tastes and legislative changes.
After
Economic uncertainty and its effects on firms and people presented difficulties for Japan's banking industry.
As a result of the epidemic, insurance firms saw a surge in claims and banks had to cope with issues in loan
repayment. To guarantee the stability of the financial system, the government, however, adopted stimulus
measures and offered assistance.]