Ms. Isabel Guerrero, Vice President for South Asia of the World Bank called on President Mahinda Rajapaksa this morning (July 23) together with Ms Naoko Ishii, Country Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives at Janadhipathi Mandiraya.

The discussion with the President was centered on the development assistance by the World Bank to Sri Lanka, especially on the post-conflict development initiatives of the Government and possible support of the World Bank to finance major infrastructure development projects.

Currently Sri Lanka is drawing funds only from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank and receives additional funding required for the major infrastructure development from the IBRD financing.

Ms. Guerrero is on a three day official visit to review the World Bank funded development projects in Sri Lanka. She visited a number of World Bank funded projects in Mannar and Kilinochchi.The Vice President of the World Bank has positively responded to Sri Lanka’s request to obtain IBRD funds.

Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga, Treasury Secretary, P. B. Jayasundara and Central bank Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal were also present during the discussions.