Colombo, October 4, 2024 – Bill Gates, the billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is expected to visit Sri Lanka soon to hold discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This anticipated meeting aims to strengthen ties between the Sri Lankan government and the Gates Foundation on key development initiatives.
The visit follows a meeting between Chanditha Samaranayake, an independent consultant of the Gates Foundation, and Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President. Held earlier today, the discussion centered on several critical projects currently being supported by the Gates Foundation.
The main focus of the talks was the ongoing digital agricultural transformation program in Sri Lanka, particularly aimed at smallholder farmers. The program is designed to modernize agricultural practices, enhance productivity, and provide better access to resources through technology.
Another significant topic discussed was Sri Lanka’s school feeding program, which is part of a broader initiative to combat the growing malnutrition crisis in the country. The Gates Foundation is expected to provide financial, technical, and advisory support to improve the program’s reach and effectiveness.
In addition to agriculture and nutrition, the two parties explored potential collaborations on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), livestock development, and climate change initiatives, all of which are seen as crucial areas for Sri Lanka’s sustainable development.
The Gates Foundation has indicated its commitment to supporting these efforts and has expressed its intention to formalize the partnership with the Sri Lankan government in the near future. Bill Gates is expected to meet President Dissanayake soon to finalize these collaborations, which could bring much-needed financial and technical assistance to Sri Lanka’s digitization and development projects.
This potential partnership marks a significant step in Sri Lanka’s efforts to enhance its public infrastructure, agricultural productivity, and overall socio-economic development with the backing of one of the world’s most influential philanthropic organizations.
