The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to provide financial, technical, and advisory assistance for Sri Lanka’s digitisation projects, according to a statement from the President’s Media Division (PMD). This announcement comes following a meeting between Chanditha Samaranayake, an independent consultant representing the foundation, and Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, in Colombo.
The discussions between the two focused on a range of critical areas for Sri Lanka, including the development of the agriculture sector, improving children’s nutrition through initiatives such as school lunch programs, and strengthening human resources in both the public and private sectors. The topics of livestock management and climate change were also addressed during the talks.
A key point raised by Samaranayake was the importance of digitisation in implementing the new government’s anti-corruption policies. He affirmed that the Gates Foundation is ready to support these efforts by offering both technical expertise and financial backing to ensure successful digitisation of government processes, which would help enhance transparency and efficiency.
The foundation’s involvement is expected to contribute significantly to Sri Lanka’s ongoing modernization efforts, particularly in sectors crucial for the country’s long-term development.
