'Lanka needs more WB support'

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the US Jaliya Wickramasuriya called for World Bank (WB) support to implement the Government’s plans for reconciliation and economic expansion under the Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dakma.

He made this plea when he met the WB’s newly-designated country Director for Sri Lanka Diarietou Gaye prior to her departure to Sri Lanka.

He said it was necessary for Sri Lanka to get the support from development partners such as the WB to achieve the development targets set under the Government’s program for future development.

Gaye reaffirmed the WB’s strong and expanding support to Sri Lanka as it moves to a peaceful, middle-income country.

She also briefed the Ambassador of the successful meetings held during the recent visit of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director of the World Bank to Sri Lanka.

During the discussions, Amit Dar, former acting Country Director, said that with Sri Lanka’s new eligibility for financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), there is potential to double the amount of resources available to Sri Lanka every year, which is also in recognition of Sri Lanka’s middle income country status.

The meeting at the official Sri Lankan Residence was also attended by the World Bank’s Manager/Sustainable Development, G. Padmanathan, Acting Country Program Director Rajashree Paralkar and Alternate Executive Director to the International Monetary Fund Dr P.N. Weerasinghe.