World Bank ED holds talks in Colombo

World Bank Group Executive Director Parameswaran Iyer visited Sri Lanka this week as the island nation seeks to deepen development cooperation and attract investment into priority sectors to support job creation and long-term growth.
Accompanying him was World Bank’s Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka David Sislen. 
Iyer represents Sri Lanka and other regional countries on the World Bank’s Executive Board, bringing extensive expertise in development policy, governance, and international cooperation.
During the visit, Iyer held discussions with Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma.
lyer highlighted the World Bank’s priority sectors for driving job creation and economic growth in emerging markets, including infrastructure (energy and transport), agribusiness, health care, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.
Dr. Suriyapperuma emphasised the need for strategies to attract investment, promote inclusive growth, and strengthen cooperation in sectors critical to Sri Lanka’s economic and social development. Key focus areas include economic resilience, sustainable growth, social development, and institutional capacity building.
The visit provided an opportunity to review ongoing World Bank-supported initiatives in Sri Lanka and explore ways to enhance their impact, ensuring alignment with the country’s national development objectives, the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.