Weerasinghe urges risk-sharing to unlock regional investment
Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor P Nandalal Weerasinghe urged development financiers to mobilize private capital at the 49th annual meeting of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP), Colombo, September 23, 2026.
Finance beyond traditional lending
Weerasinghe urged development finance institutions to use guarantees, blended finance, project development and risk-sharing to mobilize private investment and support smaller firms.
He cited the Asian Development Bank's Asian Economic Integration Report 2026: intraregional investment remains resilient, but financial integration is less developed.
Sri Lanka's National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030, launched October 24, 2025, identifies twelve financing instruments and mechanisms.
It targets climate-resilient infrastructure, sustainable agriculture and renewable energy.
The central bank's Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0 for 2025–2029 complements it.
He linked regional resilience to stronger supply chains, digital connectivity and wider access for women, youth and underserved communities.
Payments connect regional markets
Sri Lanka links LANKAQR with UnionPay, India's UPI, Alipay+, WeChat Pay and NepalPay so tourists can pay local merchants.
LANKAQR and GovPay expand digital access, while the National Payment System Roadmap 2026–2027 guides secure, inclusive and globally connected payments.
Weerasinghe cited ASEAN cross-border QR and real-time payment links, stressing security and consumer protection.
He also reported that Fitch Ratings had upgraded Sri Lanka to B- from CCC+, with a Stable Outlook, the previous day, recognizing stabilization and reforms.
From discussion to delivery
Weerasinghe urged partnerships to deliver projects rather than discussions alone.
Established in 1976, ADFIAP comprises 97 institutions from 42 countries, with DFCC Bank PLC a founding and charter member.
He called for joint financing and shared expertise to turn stability into investment and growth.