ADB Chief arrives in Sri Lanka on official visit

The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Masato Kanda, arrived in Sri Lanka on an official visit this morning (23).

The ADB Chief arrived on a three-day official visit aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, engaging with key stakeholders, and assessing cyclone-related damage in affected areas.

Masato Kanda stated that he arrived in Colombo at a “critical moment” as the country transitions from crisis response toward recovery and sustainable economic growth.

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Kanda noted that he was warmly received at the airport by Sri Lanka’s Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance, Anil Jayantha Fernando.

He emphasized that the visit provides an opportunity to engage with government representatives, the private sector, and local communities to better understand priorities for the next phase of development.

Kanda further highlighted that the Asian Development Bank continues to support Sri Lanka’s transition by strengthening infrastructure and connectivity, while mobilizing investment to enable private sector-led growth.

He added that he looks forward to working closely with stakeholders in the coming days to advance these priorities.

The ADB President’s first day in Colombo included a visit to the Colombo Port, where he toured the control tower, underscoring the strategic importance of maritime infrastructure to Sri Lanka’s economy.

He is also expected to meet representatives of the private sector, followed by a visit to the ADB’s Sri Lanka Resident Mission (SLRM), the President’s Media Division said.

Tomorrow (24), Kanda and his delegation are scheduled to conduct aerial and ground assessments of areas impacted by Cyclone “Ditwah” in Aranayaka, in the Kegalle District.

Kanda will also undertake a drive-through inspection of the cyclone-affected Ambalankanda area. A brief on-site programme is scheduled, allowing the ADB President to observe the damage and engage directly with local stakeholders.

ADB Chief Kanda is also scheduled to meet Anura Kumara Dissanayake tomorrow (24) at the Presidential Secretariat. The meeting is expected to focus on economic recovery, development financing, and strengthening bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and the ADB.

The visiting delegation includes several senior ADB officials, including Sona Shrestha, Director General of the South Asia Regional Department, Keiichiro Inui, Chief Advisor to the Office of the President, along with other senior officials of the ADB, it said.

This visit comes at a critical time for Sri Lanka as it navigates economic recovery while facing increasing climate vulnerabilities.

The ADB’s engagement, particularly the site visits to cyclone-affected areas, signals a continued commitment to supporting resilient infrastructure and sustainable development in the country, the PMD added.