Colombo, Sri Lanka – November 28, 2024 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) Sri Lanka Office met with the newly elected Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Hon. Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at the Prime Minister’s Office. The discussions focused on advancing green growth and sustainable development through ongoing and future collaborations.

During the meeting, GGGI Sri Lanka Country Representative, Dr. Sonali Senaratna Sellamuttu, presented the Sri Lanka Country Planning Framework (CPF) 2021–2025. This comprehensive framework developed through a consultative process with key government stakeholders, focuses on key national priorities, including climate resilience, e-mobility and green energy, and innovative financing instruments, offering a roadmap for addressing Sri Lanka’s climate challenges.

Dr. Senaratna Sellamuttu highlighted GGGI’s pivotal work in climate adaptation and resilience. She elaborated on GGGI’s role working in close collaboration with the Climate Change Secretariat, Ministry of Environment, in the development of an updated National Adaptation Plan (NAP) for 2025–2034, which outlines strategies for 13 vulnerable sectors. Sri Lanka’s first set of Provincial Adaptation Plans (PAPs) for all nine provinces has also been developed, using a bottom-up, participatory consultative approach, to ensure localized approaches to building climate resilience. She also emphasized the importance of the Gender and Social Action Plan that is being prepared to align with the National Adaptation Plan to ensure that the needs of vulnerable communities are taken on board.

The discussions further explored sustainable finance as a critical component of Sri Lanka’s green growth agenda. The Sovereign Green Bond Framework and other innovative financing tools were highlighted as essential to mobilizing climate finance and driving sustainable development across the country. GGGI’s efforts in sustainable transport were also a key focus of the meeting. E-mobility solutions and the integration of smart and electric transport systems were discussed as essential components of Sri Lanka’s transition to low-carbon urban development.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya acknowledged GGGI’s efforts and emphasized the importance of translating these strategies into tangible benefits for communities. She expressed a strong interest in extending these initiatives to grassroots levels to foster inclusivity and resilience, aligning closely with the government’s operational priorities.

This meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of GGGI and the Government of Sri Lanka to work collaboratively in addressing climate challenges, setting the stage for impactful and sustainable green growth initiatives.

Sri Lanka joined GGGI as Member in 2019. Sri Lanka currently serving as the Vice President and Vice Chair of GGGI’s Assembly and Council respectively (2022–2024), and reelected to continue to serve for another two years (2025-2026) in this role.

For more information about GGGI’s work in Sri Lanka, visit https://gggi.org

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