Norwegian Ambassador Trine Jøranli Eskedal called on Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday. 

The discussion focused on the ways to increase Norwegian investments in Sri Lanka, economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as pathways for economic recovery in the coming years.

The ambassador congratulated the minister on Sri Lanka’s successful vaccination drive and expressed hope that tourism could resume as soon as the COVID situation permits. 

She also highlighted the challenges of negative economic growth and high unemployment faced by many countries in light of COVID-19 and how Norway has tackled these challenges.

The discussion also focused on the President’s plans to increase investments in renewable energy in Sri Lanka and pathways to achieve this. 

Norwegian Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Hilde Berg-Hansen, Foreign Ministry Acting Additional Secretary P.M. Amza, Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation Co-Secretary Anton Perera and Media Centre for National Development Director General Milinda Rajapaksa were also present at the meeting.