Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday Mar 24, 2026
Tuesday, 24 March 2026 02:32 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday for a three-day official visit aimed at deepening economic cooperation, reviewing development priorities, and assessing Cyclone Ditwah-related damage in affected districts.
The ADB Chief and the visiting delegation, including South Asia Regional Department Director General Sona Shrestha, Chief Adviser in the Office of the President Keiichiro Inui, and other senior ADB officials, were received at the airport by Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando.
Kanda is due to meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (24) at the Presidential Secretariat. Discussions are anticipated to centre on macroeconomic stabilisation, development financing needs, and strengthening bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and the ADB as the country works to consolidate fiscal reforms and restore growth momentum.
On his first day, the ADB President toured the Colombo Port, including its control tower operations, underlining the strategic importance of maritime infrastructure to the island’s trade-dependent economy.
He was also scheduled to meet private sector representatives before visiting the ADB’s Sri Lanka Resident Mission, where discussions are expected to focus on ongoing projects, pipeline financing, and implementation progress.
Kanda and his delegation travelled to Aranayaka in the Kegalle District to conduct aerial and ground assessments of areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah.
A drive-through inspection of the Ambalankanda area is also planned, alongside a brief on-site program enabling direct engagement with local stakeholders and officials overseeing recovery operations.
