The World Bank’s Vice President for South Asia, Martin Raiser, announced that the organization will provide both financial and technical assistance for Sri Lanka’s priority projects. This commitment was made during a meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and World Bank representatives at the Presidential Secretariat on January 21.
During the meeting, it was agreed that the World Bank would support Sri Lanka’s key initiatives, including the Youth Employment Generation Program, Clean Sri Lanka, Rural Poverty Eradication, and Digitalization projects. Further discussions were held regarding the provision of assistance for new projects in the sectors of education, energy, digitalization, and development in the Northern region.
Martin Raiser emphasized that the World Bank would ensure the timely disbursement of loan assistance to Sri Lanka as previously approved.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, speaking at the event, highlighted the importance of advancing the education sector to eradicate rural poverty. The President also requested the World Bank’s assistance in supporting the government’s education reform initiatives and the development of the public transport sector.
While acknowledging that the agricultural sector employs 28% of Sri Lanka’s workforce, President Dissanayake pointed out that its contribution to the country’s GDP remains low, at just 6%. He stressed the need for a comprehensive approach to increase the sector’s impact on the economy.
The President further discussed the government’s efforts to provide necessary facilities based on Sri Lanka’s population density. Additionally, plans for youth employment generation and new programs aimed at boosting tourism by 2025 were also covered during the discussions.
President Dissanayake outlined the government’s focus on the development of airports and ports, emphasizing the rapid progress of port development initiatives. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to the development of the Northern region, including the establishment of three investment zones.
Additionally, the President assured that the government would prioritize the development of the tourism sector in the North, improve water facilities, and address the region’s social challenges while preserving its cultural heritage.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Labor and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, World Bank Regional Country Director (Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka) David Sislen, World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Country Manager (Sri Lanka and Maldives) Gevorg Sargsyan, and Special Assistant to the Vice President Kishan Abeygunawardena.
