Prime Minister Meets with President of the World Bank Group

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with Mr. Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, at the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss Sri Lanka’s development priorities and the continuation of strategic collaboration.

The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s support during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis and reiterated the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. Mr. Banga commended the government’s reform agenda and emphasized the importance of job creation and enhancing employment quality as key drivers of economic recovery.

Discussions focused on investment in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, tourism, and production industries. Mr. Banga also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to transform key sectors, particularly agriculture, and encouraged Sri Lanka to explore its application for innovation and productivity.

The Prime Minister noted ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare policy and expand technical and vocational education to better align with the demands of emerging industries.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Trevor Kincaid, Special Advisor; Mr. David Sislen, Country Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka; Mr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Country Manager for Maldives and Sri Lanka; and Mr. Imad Fakhoury, Regional Director for South Asia at the International Finance Corporation. Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Dr. P.K.G. Harischandra, Alternate Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund for the constituency of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Sri Lanka; Mr. Dharshana Perera, Senior Director General of the Economic Affairs (Bilateral) Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism; and Mr. Dammika Premarathna, Additional Director General of the External Resources Department.