President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, on Wednesday (10) for high-level discussions aimed at fostering strategic collaboration in agriculture, nutrition, digital public infrastructure, and rural technology integration.
Held at the Presidential Secretariat, the meeting centred on the Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation (IDAT) initiative, a programme that harnesses technology and data to support smallholder farmers in making informed decisions, enhancing rural livelihoods, and boosting climate resilience.
Welcoming the partnership, President Dissanayake said,
“We appreciate the continued support of the Gates Foundation as we work to build a healthier, more equitable, and digitally empowered Sri Lanka.”
He noted the Government’s broader goal of integrating rural communities with modern technology and expressed optimism that the Foundation’s global expertise would help Sri Lanka overcome economic challenges and implement national development priorities.
The Gates Foundation delegation reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s digital economy strategy, with special emphasis on modernising agriculture, improving livestock and dairy industries, and enhancing socio-economic development.
President Dissanayake also highlighted the importance of bridging the technological divide between urban and rural areas, stressing the need to ensure that all citizens benefit from digital transformation.
Dr. Elias responded positively, stating,
“Our continued discussions in agriculture, health and digital infrastructure reflect a shared interest in advancing impactful solutions. We thank the Government of Sri Lanka for its commitment to inclusive development.”
Gates Foundation representatives included Dr. Chris Elias, Jamal Khan, Archna Vyas, Thushan Wijesinghe, and Chandita Samaranayake.
The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Deputy Digital Economy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Chief Digital Economy Advisor Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, and Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President.
