On Monday, Sri Lanka’s foreign minister Ali Sabry met with a delegation led by the director of Saudi Fund Development (SFD) Mohammed Almasoud, during which Sabry expressed his gratitude of Saudi Arabia’s “continuous assistance despite challenges” as well its support for an extension of an International Monetary Fund loan.
On Twitter, Sabry stated:
It was good to meet with the Saudi Development Fund delegation. We are grateful to the Fund for continuous assistance despite challenges & the support extended towards IMF assistance.
— M U M Ali Sabry (@alisabrypc) February 27, 2023
The longstanding Sri Lanka-Saudi bilateral relationship will grow from strength to strength. pic.twitter.com/Ei2OFBuRua
Arab News reports that the SFD has granted at least 15 development loans worth $425 million to Sri Lanka, which have financed various projects in water, energy, health, roads, and education. This has included support for the development of the PBC Highway, which connects the country’s central and eastern provinces.
The SFD reported expressed support for the financing of a bridge in eastern Sri Lanka, which cost around $5.4 million.
Read more here.