January 22, Colombo (LNW): Martin Raiser, the Vice President for the South Asia Region of the World Bank, recently met with Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, in a cordial meeting at the Sri Lankan Parliament to discuss the country’s pressing development priorities.
The two leaders explored a range of critical issues that are central to Sri Lanka’s future growth, with particular focus on education, gender equality, and regional inclusivity.
The talks highlighted the necessity of addressing the country’s current challenges and advancing sustainable solutions. A key topic was the enhancement of the education sector, with both Raiser and Dr. Amarasuriya underscoring the importance of improving access to quality education across the country.
There was a specific emphasis on the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector, which the Prime Minister’s office noted as a crucial element in creating diverse and viable career options for young people.
The leaders agreed that integrating TVET more effectively with mainstream education systems would provide students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing job market.
Gender equality also emerged as a central theme of the discussions. Both parties acknowledged the significant barriers women still face in entering the workforce and the broader economic sphere.
They agreed that targeted policy reforms and support systems are essential to ensuring greater female participation in economic activities and achieving gender equity in the workforce.
In addition to these vital topics, the dialogue reaffirmed the strong commitment of Sri Lanka and the World Bank to work together on sustainable development initiatives.
Both sides expressed a shared dedication to fostering long-term solutions that promote education, economic inclusion, and balanced regional development across Sri Lanka.
The meeting was attended by several senior officials from both the World Bank and the Sri Lankan government. David Sislen, the Regional Country Director for Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, was present alongside other key figures, including Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Samantha Bandara, Director General of the Department of External Resources; Dharshana M. Perera, Senior Director-General for Economic Affairs (Bilateral) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Lashinka Dammullage, Director of the Southeast Asia & Central Asia Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
