The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $100 million in financing to strengthen social protection, expand economic opportunities and improve care services for vulnerable communities in Sri Lanka.
The financing comprises a $50 million policy-based loan and a $50 million project loan under the Promoting Resilience and Opportunity for Inclusive Recovery Sector Development Program.
According to the ADB, the programme will support government efforts to improve livelihood and employment opportunities for low-income households, enhance eldercare services and strengthen the effectiveness of the country’s social protection system.
“Sri Lanka’s economic recovery must translate into meaningful improvements in the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people,” said ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin.
She added that the programme would help expand economic opportunities for poor households, improve social care services for an ageing population and establish a more inclusive and resilient social protection system.
30,000 Households to Receive Livelihood Support
Despite Sri Lanka’s continued economic recovery, poverty and vulnerability to economic and other shocks remain significant challenges, particularly for women, young people, older persons, persons with disabilities and communities in rural and disadvantaged areas.
The programme will address these issues through policy reforms, institutional improvements and investments in livelihood development and care services.
As part of the initiative, 30,000 households identified through the Aswesuma social registry across six districts will receive support under the government’s National Empowerment Program.
The assistance will include livelihood grants, employment and business development support, skills training, financial literacy programmes and improved access to reliable markets. Women and young people will be among the targeted beneficiaries.
Five Elderly Day Care Centres Planned
The programme will also focus on improving care services for Sri Lanka’s ageing population by strengthening the policy and regulatory framework for eldercare.
Five model elderly day care centres will be established in poorer districts to provide integrated care and support services.
The centres will also serve as demonstration sites to develop and refine eldercare models that could be expanded across the country.
Digital Improvements to Strengthen Social Protection
Further measures will focus on improving the delivery of social protection services through stronger monitoring and evaluation systems, digital platforms, case management processes and data governance.
The ADB said the programme would also strengthen the country's ability to respond to emergencies and other unexpected shocks, including those associated with climate change.
Institutional arrangements and coordination mechanisms will be improved to help ensure that assistance reaches vulnerable communities in a timely and effective manner during emergencies.
The initiative aims to make Sri Lanka’s social protection system more responsive to the needs of vulnerable groups while supporting inclusive economic recovery and long-term resilience.
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