The World Bank’s Executive Director, Parameswaran Iyer, along with David Sislen, the Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, is currently visiting Colombo, as announced by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance.

The ministry stated, “The visit provided an opportunity to review ongoing World Bank-supported initiatives in Sri Lanka and explore ways to enhance their impact, ensuring alignment with the country’s national development objectives.”

During the visit, Iyer emphasized the World Bank’s focus on priority sectors that drive job creation and economic growth in emerging markets. These sectors include infrastructure (energy and transport), agribusiness, healthcare, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.

Additionally, discussions with Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma centered on topics such as economic resilience, sustainable growth, social development, and institutional capacity building, according to the statement.

(Colombo/Feb 6/2026)