Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced that the Government will establish a National Industrial Planning Think Tank aimed at revitalising the rural economy. The proposed body will provide essential technical, scientific, and advisory support to strengthen businesses across the country.
The Prime Minister made this announcement while attending the 40th Anniversary celebrations of the Regional Development Bank (RDB) at the BMICH on Thursday (25).
As part of the anniversary event, the Prime Minister launched the ‘RDB Quick App’, a new online banking facility, and opened a three-day business product exhibition. A commemorative stamp issued by the Department of Posts to mark the milestone was also officially presented to her.
In her address, Dr. Amarasuriya praised the RDB’s role in empowering small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas.
“The hand extended by the Regional Development Bank to small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in uplifting the rural economy is highly commendable,” she said. “The Bank’s engagement with rural communities—offering not just capital but also technical guidance and marketing support—has helped elevate local talent to international standards.”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the significant role of women in the Bank’s operations and customer base, noting that most small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Sri Lanka are women-led. She emphasized the importance of RDB’s support in empowering these women and called for continued collaboration in realising the Government’s vision of ‘A Prosperous Country, A Beautiful Life’.
Also present at the event were Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar, RDB Chairman D.M.T.S. Kumara, and senior officials from the Bank.
