1 September 2016 12:00 am
The World Bank states that Sri Lanka has been rapidly achieving its development goals, which were set at the time the loans were granted.
World Bank South Asian Region Vice President Annette Dixon said that the financial disciplines practiced by the incumbent government are the reasons for such achievements.
Dixon stated this during a special meeting she had with Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake on August 30 at the Finance Ministry.
Dixon is currently in the island on an official visit to assess how Sri Lanka has utilized the World Bank loans in development projects in the country. “Sri Lanka has achieved its development goals speedily, therefore the World Bank is pleased to extend further assistance,” Dixon said. In addition, she hailed Sri Lanka for speeding up the development drive.
Meanwhile, Karunanayake told Dixon that Sri Lanka has embarked on a long journey of economic development on the guidance of President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The country’s financial disciplines have been strengthened while transparency is assured. The aim of this government is to further speed up these development projects and the assistance extended by international financial institutions such as the World Bank is much appreciated, Karunanayake said.
World Bank Sri Lanka Country Director Dr. Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, Deputy Treasury Secretary S.R. Artigala and External Resources Department Director General Priyantha Rathnayake were also present on the occasion.