ADB assistance essential for Northern development - President

"Assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is essential once the Northern region is liberated from the clutches of terrorism," said President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday.

He made that observations at a meeting with ADB's Vice President (Operations) Xiaoyu Zhao at the President's House.

The President also appreciated the Bank's support towards the country's development.

Sri Lanka has shown progress in every sphere over the last three years and the interest of the President in ensuring the success of the projects carried out by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is laudable, observed the ADB's Vice President Zhao.

The ADB Vice President promised to continue support of the Bank to uplift the living standards of the poor by assisting to develop infrastructure facilities in rural areas.