Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2021-08-23

Obtaining an additional Financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the 'Health System Enhancement Project' (AF-HSEP)

- In view of implementing the 'Health System Enhancement Project' for generating a healthy community with access to a wider Primary Health Service System, the Asian Development Bank has granted funds of US$ 50 million including a loan of US$ 37.5 million and a grant of US$ 12.5 million, to Sri Lanka. Taking into consideration the COVID 19 pandemic situation in the country, US$ 15 million has already been allocated for the COVID 19 related activities out of the said sum, at the request of the Government. In addition, the Asian Development Bank has agreed to provide an additional financing of US$ 125 million under the 'Health System Enhancement Project' to provide facilities required for the management of the increasing number of patients due to COVID 19 pandemic situation. As such, the proposal made by the Minister of Health, to conduct negotiations with the Asian Development Bank to secure the said funds, was approved by the Cabinet.