ADB VP in Lanka

18 August 2010 09:42 am

Asian Development Bank (ADB) Vice President , Xiaoyu Zhao will visit Sri Lanka from 19-21 August  2010, where he will hold discussions with the Government  and visit ADB funded projects especially in the north of Sri Lanka.

Mr Zhao will review ADB support for the reconstruction and development of post conflict Sri Lanka as well as other ADB development programs. He will meet Sri Lankan President, His Excellency Hon Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa, Mr Basil Rajapaksa Minister of Economic Development, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Deputy Minister Finance & Planning, and  Mr Champika Ranawaka Minister of Power and Energy. He will also join the President of Sri Lanka in a foundation stone laying ceremony for a new ADB funded 'Highways Secretariat Building’ in Colombo.

Mr Zhao will discuss ADB's on going assistance for the country's infrastructure development, as well as support to the rehabilitation of the internally displaced due to civil war which ended in May 2009. He is also due to meet some Internally Displaces Persons (IDPs) now resettled in Kilinochchi, North of Sri Lanka. 

In his scheduled visit to Jaffna, he will visit ADB funded road and power projects under the Conflict Affected Areas Rehabilitation Project (CAARP) and will also inaugurate a medium voltage power project in Chavakachcheri.

Earlier this year, ADB approved a $150 million emergency assistance loan for Sri Lanka for the reconstruction of urgently-needed infrastructure and to restore essential services for people in the war-affected regions. (Daily Mirror online)