President Maithripala Sirisena met a delegation of Board of Directors of  the Asian Development Bank at the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday (30).

The discussion was based on ADB grants to Sri Lanka and the progress of the ADB funded project in the country.

ADB representatives appreciated Moragahakanda-Kaluganga multipurpose project, that directly helps alleviation of poverty of those living in agro-economy based areas.The North Western Canal under the Moragahakanda project is constructed with the ADB's assistance.

Cooperation will be provided specifically to the agricultural sector aiming to develop rural areas, ADB directors said.

President said the government was willing to work with the ADB on areas such as uplifting the economic capacity of farmers, reducing poverty and development of the SME sector with an agro-economic bias.  

President also said poverty levels in the North and East must soon be addressed and more programmes were necessary to uplift their living conditions.

The government pays special attention in order to uplift the small and medium scale entrepreneurs, with a focus on increasing technology adoption in the agro sector, and increasing the export-oriented products of the SME sector are priorities for Sri Lanka.