Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2024-01-29 (Subject to Confirmation at the next Meeting)

Proposed Policy Support to the Presidential Secretariat by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

- The Presidential Secretariat plays an important role within the ongoing reform programme by providing guidance on policy matters and monitoring government programmes. In performing this task, coordination with number of multilateral agencies suh as International Monetary Fund's Extended Fund Facility, World Bank's Development Policy Operation Programme, Asian Development Bank's policy assistance programme as well as engaging with various government and private sector stakeholders are carried out. Global Health Strategies, an international organization established by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest charitable foundation in the world and Connect to Care, the local partners of Global Health Strategies have agreed to act as on-ground partners for the Government of Sri Lanka, establishing a Programme Support Unit dedicated to assist the Presidential Secretariat with related to above programmes. An Executive Committee consisting of Senior officials will be established to create required coordination for proper implementation of various programmes carried out to assist the Government of Sri Lanka by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The matters presented by the Hon.President on the proposed policy support to be given to the Presidential Secretariat by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation were considered by the Cabinet and it was decided to grant the concurrance of the Cabinet to take future actions in that regard.