In the midst of Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis since gaining independence, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is seeking help from India to turn things around. In a recent meeting with an Indian delegation, the President discussed policy reforms, governance, capacity building, digitalization, and public service delivery, expressing his admiration for India's successful management of socio-economic development.
President Wickremesinghe shared his vision for Sri Lanka and his strategy to address the recent economic challenges and achieve high economic growth. He also urged the Indian delegation, led by the director general of the National Centre for Good Governance, Bharat Lal, to help establish a university of governance and public policy in the country.
The Sri Lankan government is keen to learn from India's policy-driven governance model and its use of digital technology in planning, executing, and monitoring various programs and projects. The Indian delegation met with senior civil servants of Sri Lanka, who expressed their appreciation for India's sustained assistance during the country's economic crisis.
The National Centre for Good Governance, an autonomous institution set up by the Indian government in 2014, focuses on good governance, policy reforms, training, and capacity building of civil servants of India and other developing countries. The NCGG has partnered with the Ministry of External Affairs to provide capacity building for civil servants in several developing countries. The Indian delegation assured Sri Lanka of their support in establishing policy reforms, governance, capacity building, digitalization, and public service delivery.
