Australia and Sri Lanka signed a Subsidiary Arrangement for grant assistance to work together on strengthening governance in Sri Lanka, through a four-year program valued at up to AUD 31 million (LKR3,850 million).
The Governance for Growth Program aims to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to increase economic growth and spread the benefits of that growth to reduce poverty and inequality in the country. The program will support activities that improve the policy formation and delivery capabilities of government at national, provincial and local levels to bring about inclusive economic growth.
Some of the activities under the program include a partnership with the World Bank to support the Sri Lankan Government’s implementation of national economic reforms, and work with The Asia Foundation to strengthen public sector service delivery at the subnational level, including for women and people with disabilities.
The program will also provide opportunities for research collaboration and building of institutional linkages to support the quality of Sri Lanka’s economic decision-making and public service delivery, for example, by funding a national State of the Cities report to support urban planning and development decision-making.
The Ministry of Finance and Mass Media will act as the Sri Lankan counterpart of the Governance for Growth program overall, with a key role in contributing to strategic management of the program.
Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson said, “Australia places great importance on these types of arrangements, which sit under our broader Development Cooperation MOU, as a means of ensuring our programs are aligned fully with Sri Lanka’s national objectives and reflect a shared vision for development.”
Secretary to the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media, Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga, signed the Arrangement on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka and High Commissioner Mr. Hutchesson signed on behalf of the Government of Australia at the Ministry of Finance and Mass Media on 30th January 2018.