Politics

The newly appointed Country Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for Sri Lanka, Shannon Cowlin, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at her office for discussions. The Prime Minister welcomed the ADB team and congratulated Cowlin on her new role, highlighting the long-term partnership between Sri Lanka and the ADB, as stated by the Prime Minister’s Media Division. She also expressed gratitude for the ongoing support from the ADB that aligns with Sri Lanka’s national development goals. The Prime Minister recognized the ADB’s prompt assistance following Cyclone Ditwah, emphasizing how crucial this help is for managing the effects of natural disasters. The ADB team confirmed their commitment to support Sri Lanka during the recovery phase after the cyclone, particularly in rebuilding efforts and enhancing the education sector. The meeting included several notable attendees: Sona Shrestha, OIC/Deputy Director General of SARDMs; Cholpon Mambetova, Head of Country Operations at the ADB Sri Lanka Resident Mission; Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Samantha Bandara, Director General of the External Resources Department at the Ministry of Finance; and Ranjith Gurusinghe, Director of the ADB Division in the External Resources Department at the Ministry of Finance.