The Governments of Sri Lanka and the Republic of Korea convened the 2026 Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) Policy Dialogue on April 28 at the Randora Auditorium of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, strengthening bilateral development cooperation and financial coordination.
The high-level meeting, jointly chaired by both governments, reviewed ongoing infrastructure partnerships, assessed Sri Lanka’s economic recovery trajectory, and advanced collaboration in line with recent debt restructuring efforts.
A key outcome of the dialogue was the formal exchange of signed debt restructuring amendment agreements covering 18 EDCF loans, amounting to approximately USD 267 million. The move reflects both countries’ commitment to sustaining development assistance while supporting Sri Lanka’s evolving fiscal framework.
Officials from Sri Lanka’s Department of National Planning and Department of External Resources presented updates on the National Development Plan and the status of debt restructuring. Meanwhile, the South Korean delegation outlined its 2026–2030 international development framework and mid-term operational strategy, aligning its official development assistance with Sri Lanka’s recovery priorities.
Discussions also focused on major infrastructure projects financed through EDCF, alongside deliberations on extending the existing framework arrangement signed in 2018, which underpins concessional lending from South Korea to Sri Lanka.
The dialogue concluded with the signing of the Minutes of Dialogue, reaffirming a shared commitment to future cooperation.
The South Korean delegation was led by officials from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, including Byoungseok Choi and Myeonghui Hwang, along with representatives from the Export-Import Bank of Korea. The Sri Lankan delegation was headed by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, with participation from senior government officials and project stakeholders.
