The World Bank will continue to partner with the government of Sri Lanka as it works for the well-being of the people and the country.
Sri Lanka can tap easily the vast global knowledge and expertise of this apolitical and non-partisan development institution for the nation’s development.
This was disclosed by the outgoing World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Idah Z. Pswarayi-Riddihough who shared her thoughts on the opportunities for Sri Lanka and wished the people of the country the very best as they contend with the impacts of the global pandemic.
Although Sri Lanka has many human development indicators that are well above its regional neighbors, COVID-19 poses a threat to some of these gains. The country will therefore need to continue its concerted focus in these areas, while adjusting to a new normal, she said.
With a population that is rapidly ageing and women living longer than men, there is need to re-evaluate the country's social security and pension systems.
Since the impacts of COVID-19 have led to a loss of overseas jobs - and hence lower remittances - replacement jobs that capitalize on the participation of both men and women will need to be rapidly created, she pointed out.
(LIN)