World Bank reaffirms commitment to support Sri Lanka

State Minister Shehan Semasinghe with World Bank Managing Director, Operations Anne Bjerde (left) and IMF Executive Director Dr. Krishnamurthy Venkata Subramanian 

• World Bank Managing Director Operations Anna Bjerde discuss with State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe, Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana and Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe
• Sri Lanka’s delegation meets IMF Executive Director Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian

The World Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to assisting Sri Lanka in stabilising the economy, stepping up social protection and reviving growth.

Taking to Twitter the World Bank Managing Director Operations Anna Bjerde noted that she had a discussion with the State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe, Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana and Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on the sidelines of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group.

She said they discussed how the World Bank can support Sri Lanka as it implements economic stabilisation, steps up social protection and revives growth.

The State Minister-led Sri Lankan delegation is currently in the US to attend the Spring Meetings in Washington DC.

The delegation also interacted with the World Bank team specialising in social safety net interventions, cash transfer programs and developing effective delivery systems.

State Minister Semasinghe also met with IMF Executive Director Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian to discuss Sri Lanka’s ambitious reform agenda and its commitment to successfully completing the IMF program. 

He said the participation was a great opportunity for Sri Lanka to enhance cooperation with international partners of Sri Lanka to ensure debt sustainability and to further the progress the country has made towards economic recovery.