World Bank VP commends Sri Lanka’s achievements

Tuesday, 28 January 2014 00:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Phillippe Le Houerou, World Bank Vice President for the South Asian Region, who is in town commended Sri Lanka for its economic and other achievements when he met President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday. During the discussion Sri Lanka’s development process and the present and future cooperation between the World Bank and Sri Lanka were highlighted. Houerou said that after his arrival he had visited the north, the east and several other parts of the country and spoken to government officials and people of all walks of life. “The level of development I have witnessed is highly impressive,” he noted. Houerou specially commended the high quality of roads that have been recently constructed. Focusing his attention to Sri Lanka’s private sector he said that he had met with many bright people with valuable ideas and concepts. He also appreciated services provided by the Government hospital in Trincomalee which he had visited.

“Within the short period of less than five years since the end of the conflict we were able to reach a high level of development. In spite of that certain forces and groups are trying to distort the ground situation and apply pressure on the country,” President Rajapaksa observed. However, the development process will not be abandoned the President said. "The level of development I have witnessed is highly impressive – Phillippe Le Houerou, World Bank Vice President for the South Asian Region after his visit to north and east " Responding to Houerou’s question “what is your next challenge?” President Rajapaksa pointed out that securing more investments is one of his priorities. With political stability, attractive incentives and simplified procedures there is a favourable environment for investment in the country, noted President Rajapaksa. “The country has a clear vision and directions. What is now needed is to streamline programs,” Houerou observed. He assured World Bank’s continued partnership with Sri Lanka. Information technology, tourism and ports were named as some of the potential areas for investment during the discussion. Ministry of Finance Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera briefed the visiting World Bank Vice President on urban development activities in Colombo and other development projects in the rest of the country.