The Government of Sri Lanka has secured financial assistance amounting to USD 50 million from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to support the additional financing of the General Education Modernization (GEM) Project.
The Financing Agreement for this operation was signed on December 19, 2025 by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury, on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, and Mr. David N. Sislen, Division Director for Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka of the World Bank Group, on behalf of the IDA.
The General Education Modernization Project has been implemented from 2018 until June 2025, with the objective of improving the quality, relevance, and equity of general education in Sri Lanka. Building on the achievements of the initial phase, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has identified the need for further financial support to advance the next phase of education reforms. This additional financing will facilitate the implementation of new curriculum reforms and support key modernization initiatives aligned with national priorities. These include integrating global education standards while enhancing quality through curriculum modernization for the subjects English, Mathematics, digital learning, teacher development, quality assessments and school improvements.
The World Bank has provided USD 50 million as an Additional Financing Facility to continue and expand the objectives of the GEM Project, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to transforming general education in Sri Lanka.
This press release is issued by the Department of External Resources on December 22, 2025.