Dynamics of Trade Openness in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, even it was verbally confirmed that the trade openness occurs the wonder on the economy of Sri Lanka, which was not statistically proofed. This study was to test the trade openness dynamics of the economic growth in Sri Lanka using annual time series data over the period of 1975 to 2014. In this study the following variables were used as variables gross domestic product, which was the proxy variable of the economic growth, the trade openness and the money supply. Furthermore, in order to test the long run relationship between the variables, the Johansen cointegration technique was employed while, the VECM technique was employed to test the short run behaviour of the trade openness. In this study, both techniques confirmed that the trade openness negatively and significantly had the long run relationship with the economic growth. While, the lag values of the trade openness in short run period, jointly had not impacted on the economic growth over the sample period. Finally, this study recommended to the government of Sri Lanka that the export should be increased when they formulate the trade development policy.