The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) have formalised the second phase of a continued partnership on financial literacy, the two organisations said in a joint statement reported by Ada Derana on Tuesday.
The renewed collaboration falls under Sri Lanka’s National Financial Literacy Roadmap (2024–2028), itself a pillar of the country’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy. The Phase 2 framework was symbolically marked on Monday at a meeting between CBSL Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe and UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka Azusa Kubota.
The work builds on UNDP technical support extended to the Central Bank during 2024 and 2025 and is structured around three focus areas:
- Capacity building. Strengthening Development Officers across all districts so they can deliver financial literacy training to rural communities and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) using the CBSL’s existing Financial Literacy Curriculum. UNDP will support an update of the modules to incorporate climate-resilient financial management.
- National advocacy. A public awareness campaign to widen financial literacy messaging and promote responsible financial behaviour.
- Programme integration. Embedding financial literacy into UNDP’s own inclusive economic growth and MSME support programmes.
The Roadmap is being delivered with support from a wider partner group that includes the Government of Japan, Chrysalis, VISA and Hirdaramani-Lacoste.
“We particularly welcome the focus on strengthening financial resilience, climate-related financial preparedness, public awareness campaigns, and capacity building through Training-of-Trainers programmes,” Governor Weerasinghe said in the joint statement. He framed the renewed engagement as a contribution to inclusive and sustainable economic development.
Kubota said financial literacy was a critical foundation for inclusive and resilient economies, and that UNDP’s partnership with the Central Bank had focused on giving the most vulnerable households the knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions.
The Phase 2 announcement extends a wider donor push to lift Sri Lankan MSME financial capability following the country’s recent macroeconomic crisis. Australia’s S4IE programme is separately supporting CBSL on MSME financial literacy, while LB Finance recently received a US$15 million credit line from Enabling Qapital to expand its MSME lending book.
