World Bank reaffirms its commitment to Sri Lanka

World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region, Annette Dixon said the Bank would partner with the government to help shape and implement policies to reduce poverty, improve shared prosperity and promote sustainable growth.

During her visit, Dixon met President Maithripala Sirisena, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe, the Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and the Deputy Minister, Ministry of Policy Planning and Economic Affairs.

President Maithripala Sirisena outlined his priorities for Sri Lanka's development agenda and said that the Bank's ongoing portfolio and pipeline of projects were in line with the country's development priorities.

Dixon said the Bank would support the implementation of reforms to strengthen good governance, transparency and accountability as outlined in the government's 100-day plan.

"The Government has laid out an ambitious reform agenda aimed at improving governance, transparency and accountability and setting up strong institutions within its first 100 days," said Dixon.

"This is no small feat and the Bank stands ready to provide support to the government to help achieve these goals," she said as she concluded her first visit to Sri Lanka since her appointment as a World Bank Vice President in December 2014.

Dixon visited rural Sri Lanka to observe one of the many successful Bank-financed community-based development and livelihood improvement interventions.