June 12, Colombo (LNW): A high-level meeting took place at the Presidential Secretariat today, bringing together senior representatives of the Sri Lankan government and delegates from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
The discussion, led by Presidential Secretary Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, aimed to establish a collaborative framework for aligning international expertise with the country’s new development agenda.
The visiting delegation from the Tony Blair Institute arrived in Colombo as part of an ongoing initiative to support nations undergoing economic and institutional transformation. The dialogue focused on gaining a clearer understanding of the strategic priorities of the newly elected administration and exploring avenues for targeted support across key sectors.
During the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on evaluating current initiatives spearheaded by pivotal government entities including the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Export Development Board, and the Board of Investment.
The discussions aimed not only to identify the most pressing policy objectives within these institutions but also to consider how international partners might contribute through financial backing, technical expertise, and institutional support.
As part of a broader programme of engagement, the visiting officials from the Institute expressed their intention to undertake field-level assessments of ongoing government projects. These site visits will enable the team to gather first-hand insights into operational challenges and institutional capacities, with a view to tailoring their assistance to practical needs.
The delegation was led by Jaleel Rashid, Managing Director for the Asia Pacific Advisory Division, accompanied by Anna Aden, who oversees governmental liaison efforts for the region. They were joined by a range of local senior officials, including Senior Additional Secretaries to the President Roshan Gamage and Russel Aponso, who helped facilitate the discussion and outline the broader reform trajectory envisaged by the administration.
Also participating were sectoral heads from the Digital Economy, Agriculture, and Investment portfolios. Among them were B.M.V.S. Basnayake, who directs agricultural technology initiatives; Janaka Geekiyanage, representing the Ministry of Digital Economy; Renuka M. Weerakone, Director General of the Board of Investment; and Mangala Wijesinghe, Chair and CEO of the Export Development Board.
