Sri Lanka is seeking financial assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to support agricultural and rural development programmes planned for the 2028–2030 period.
According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), discussions in this regard were held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (03), chaired by Secretary to the President Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
The meeting focused on identifying priority areas for IFAD assistance, including increasing the income of small-scale farmers, improving agricultural productivity, strengthening rural livelihoods and developing rural infrastructure.
During the discussion, the Secretary to the President emphasised the importance of integrating the proposed development initiatives with the government’s existing Praja Shakthi programme, which aims to improve the living standards of rural communities.
The need to identify government priorities in line with Sri Lanka’s development requirements for the 2028–2030 period was also highlighted.
Officials further discussed strengthening coordination between IFAD and relevant government institutions to identify potential development projects and take the necessary steps towards their implementation.
Senior Assistant Secretary to the President Dhanushka Perera, IFAD Country Representative Sherina Tabassum, and IFAD representatives Bodhi Wanniarachchi and Janaka Amarasinghe attended the meeting. (Newswire)