FINANCIAL CHRONICLE — During a meeting at the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) headquarters in Manila, ADB President Masato Kanda reaffirmed the robust development partnership between ADB and Sri Lanka to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.
“We are committed to helping Sri Lanka rebuild after Cyclone Ditwah, while also investing in the country’s future by empowering women entrepreneurs and strengthening education and essential skills,” Kanda stated in an ADB press release.
He highlighted ADB’s proactive response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, noting that the bank is expediting an emergency assistance loan aimed at restoring damaged infrastructure and supporting affected livelihoods, building upon previously mobilized emergency financing.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya served as the keynote speaker at ADB’s International Women’s Day event. Furthermore, ADB has announced its readiness to provide over $1 billion annually to Sri Lanka from 2026 to 2029. This financial commitment will focus on enhancing macroeconomic stability, fostering private sector-led growth, advancing education and skills development, and developing resilient infrastructure.
Key initiatives include a significant digital transformation program designed to catalyze Sri Lanka’s digital economy. Additionally, ADB will support Sri Lanka’s accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, which aims to deepen the country’s integration into regional trade and investment networks.
