State Secretary Olav Kjørven is visiting Sri Lanka 17-20 February for talks on the development co-operation between Norway and Sri Lanka. In addition to talks with the authorities, Mr Kjørven will visit Norwegian-supported projects in the southern part of the country and have meetings with representatives from the World Bank, the IMF, the UN and other multilateral organisations, as well as representatives of civil society.

The main focus for these talks and meetings will be how long-term development co-operation with Sri Lanka can support the peace process and contribute to the development of the private sector in the country. Sri Lanka has been selected as one of the pilot countries in the Norwegian Government’s strategy for private-sector development in the South.

Press contact: Susan Eckey, tel.: 91 11 59 93.