World Bank Vice President in charge of the South Asian Region Annette Dixon said that the financial disciplines practiced by the incumbent government are the reasons for such achievements. Ms. Dixon stated this during a special meeting she had with Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake this afternoon (August 30) at the Ministry of Finance.

Ms. 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 World Bank is pleased to extend further assistance, Ms. Dixon said. In addition, she hailed Sri Lanka for speeding up the development drive.

Meanwhile, Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanayake told Ms. 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 World Bank is much appreciated, Minister Karunanayake said.

World Bank Sri Lanka Country Director Dr. Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough, Deputy Treasury Secretary S.R. Artigala and Director General of External Resources Department Priyantha Rathnayake were also present on the occasion.