United Nations Assistant Secretary General (ASG), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Assistant Administrator and Director of the UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, Kanni Wignaraja expressed appreciation over Sri Lanka’s plans for sociopolitical development. “We appreciate Sri Lanka is heading back in right direction,” she said and assured UNDP’s continuous support.
Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena congratulated her for her recent promotion as Assistant Secretary General when she called on him at the Temple Trees in Colombo today (Jan 3). She called on to discuss Sri Lanka’s development programmes related to Sustainable Development Goals, green economy, social cohesion and social protection.
The Prime Minister briefed her on the steps taken for economic recovery and the programmes for long tern infrastructure development. He also outlined the progress of the reconciliation process. He pointed out most of the detainees have been released, landmines removed and agricultural and fisheries livelihoods have returned to normalcy.
ASG Kanni Wignaraja said her aim is to get a better understanding of country priorities and exploring new avenues of support from UNDP to Sri Lanka—particularly focusing on follow up on agreed programs for socio-economic recovery.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Malin Herwig and Secretary to the Prime Minister, Anura Dissanayake also took part in the discussion.