Mr. Hari Menon, Country Director for India and Southeast Asia Policy Lead at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office during a courtesy visit.
The discussion centered on the Foundation’s contributions to Sri Lanka, with Mr. Menon outlining its focus areas, including health, nutrition, agriculture, urban sanitation, and women’s economic empowerment. Highlighting ongoing efforts, the Foundation emphasized its initiatives in “digital agriculture” and “digital public infrastructure,” which include funding projects and providing technical assistance for digital development.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya reaffirmed the government’s dedication to digital transformation and tackling malnutrition as key national priorities.
The meeting included senior officials from the Gates Foundation and prominent Sri Lankan representatives, such as Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mr. Mahinda Gunaratna, Additional Secretary for Development; and Mr. Thanuja Meegahawatta, Assistant Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Europe and North America Division.
