Vice President of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Shixen Chen said international monetary agencies are highly impressed with the strength of the Sri Lankan leadership and its commitment to achieve speedy economic revival through reforms in monetary sectors.

He stated this when he called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena today (Dec 5) at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo. He said the current visit is aimed at finalizing proposed ADB projects for next year and assured ADB’s support for the country’s development and its efforts to overcome economic and fiscal challenges.

Prime Minister briefed him about the steps taken by the government to revive the economy and to enact reforms in fiscal sectors as well as to restructure energy, electricity and petroleum sectors.

ADB Vice President stressed the need for controlling inflation and protecting vulnerable, underprivileged sections of the society. The Prime Minister explained the programmes aimed at protecting the vulnerable groups of the society and rural agricultural development plans to increase production and increase the export of surplus.

Shixen Chen said the ADB could provide technical assistance in addition to project support.

The Prime Minister thanked the ADB for emergency assistance loans and grants provided during Covid pandemic as well as during the current economic difficulties.

He said the ADB supported projects provide crucial support to the government in extending assistance to vulnerable groups and restoring the livelihood of the poor and vulnerable, including farmers.