ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake discussed the new government’s policy priorities with visiting World Bank Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer on Wednesday (04) including key sectors and Clean Sri Lanka project, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
During the meeting Iyer affirmed that all ongoing World Bank-backed projects in Sri Lanka will continue uninterrupted, the PMD said.
“President Dissanayake emphasised the government’s primary focus areas, which include advancing the agriculture, fisheries, tourism, education, and health sectors. He underscored the importance of these sectors in fostering national development and improving livelihoods,” the PMD said in a statement.
“In response, Mr. Iyer stated that the World Bank is prepared to convene an advisory group to explore initial steps for supporting the government’s development priorities. He also commended the President’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.”
The PMD said the meeting also provided an opportunity for President Dissanayake to outline his administration’s future development agenda and the key topics of discussion included efforts to alleviate rural poverty, plans for economic digitalization, highlighted by the Digital Identity Card initiative.
“A comprehensive discussion was held on addressing the longstanding challenges faced by the people in the North and East, with a particular focus on resolving land and housing issues affecting the plantation community.”
The meeting with the World Bank’s Executive Director comes a week after Dissanayake had a virtual meeting with the World Bank Group chief Ajay Banga in which he stressed on raising the government revenue through key sectors including tourism and energy with the help of investors.
Banga highlighted the World Bank’s commitment to promoting job creation and addressing critical development challenges. (Colombo/December 04/2024)
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