ADB launches partnership book

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) reaffirmed its commitment to Sri Lanka following the completion of a 50 year partnership that is detailed in a new coffee table book “Sri Lanka – ADB Partnership : 1966-2016” launched on Wednesday.

ADB Vice President Wencai Zhang addressing the gathering said that they would continue to assist the country to achieve their development goals.

Highlighting Sri Lanka’s partnership with the ADB as one of the founder countries, he said that the country was the beneficiary of the bank’s second loan made in 1968 that was intended to modernize the tea factories.

The book highlights details of the partnership between the two and their work in Sri Lanka over the past five decades.

Mr. Zhang also reminisced the role that Sri Lanka played in estab- lishing the ADB before 1966 by hosting meetings in Colombo in this regard.

Finance and Mass Media State Minister Eran Wickramaratne said that the ADB had worked hand-inhand with the governments to drive development in Sri Lanka.

He pointed out that since the loan to modernize the tea factories in the country the ADB had granted around one hundred loans and in diverse fields like education, finance, environment, transport, natural resources and even public sector management.

Mr. Wickramaratne pointed out that the bank had played a role in reconciliation and rehabilitation with assistance in post war era considered valuable.

During his visit Mr. Zhang met with President Maithripala Sirisena, Finance and Mass Media Minister Mangala Samaraweera and other key government officials to discuss the newly approved Country Partnership Strategy for 2018-2022.