ADB Increases 2026 Disbursement to US$ 480 Mn Amid Recovery š
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has surged its 2026 financial commitment to Sri Lanka, following high-level talks between ADB President Masato Kanda and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. ā¢ Overall Funding Update: The ADB increased its 2026 allocation from US$ 380 Mn to US$ 480 Mn. Notably, US$ 200 Mn is slated for immediate release to mitigate supply shocks linked to the Middle East crisis. ā¢ Sector Breakdowns & Reforms: Cabinet recently approved US$ 620 Mn across five sub-programs to accelerate the national reform agenda: - MSMEs: US$ 220 Mn to bolster inclusive financial environments. - Trade & Industry: US$ 100 Mn for the Trade, Investment and Industrial Development Program. - Water & Agriculture: US$ 100 Mn each for water supply rehabilitation and agricultural value chain commercialization. - Resilience: US$ 100 Mn for inclusive recovery programs. ā¢ Disaster Recovery & Long-term Outlook: The ADB reaffirmed support for infrastructure restoration following Cyclone Ditwah, specifically targeting water system protection in the central highlands. Looking ahead, the bank signaled readiness to provide over US$ 1 Bn annually from 2026 to 2029 to support macroeconomic stability.