Speaking at the 49th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) on 23 September 2026, Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe highlighted Sri Lanka's economic turnaround, headlined by a sovereign rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings.

A centerpiece of the Governor's address was the announcement that Fitch Ratings upgraded Sri Lanka's sovereign credit rating to 'B-' from 'CCC+', maintaining a Stable Outlook. Governor Weerasinghe noted that this rating upgrade reflects sustained progress in macroeconomic stabilization and structural reforms following the nation's severe economic crisis.

The restoration of macroeconomic stability has established a firmer foundation for Sri Lanka's next development phase. The country is now shifting its primary focus from crisis management toward transforming stability into sustainable investment, higher productivity, and long-term growth.

The 49th ADFIAP AGM, hosted in Sri Lanka under the theme "Partnerships for Prosperity: Unlocking Regional Potential," brought together representatives from 97 member institutions across 42 countries. Addressing the delegates, Governor Weerasinghe emphasized that while the Asia-Pacific region remains the key growth engine of the global economy, rising geopolitical tensions, trade fragmentation, and climate risks test economic resilience.

To counter these pressures, he urged deeper regional economic integration, resilient supply chains, and enhanced financial connections to support investments and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Highlighting Sri Lanka's evolving financial architecture, the Governor outlined key national frameworks aimed at long-term sustainability, including the National Climate Finance Strategy 2025–2030 and the CBSL’s Sustainable Finance Roadmap 2.0 (2025–2029). These strategies aim to mobilize domestic and international capital for climate-resilient infrastructure, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture.

In parallel, Sri Lanka has modernized its digital payment infrastructure by linking the national LANKAQR network with major regional and international platforms, including India's UPI, UnionPay, Alipay+, WeChat Pay, and NepalPay. Supported by the National Payment System Roadmap 2026–2027, these cross-border digital payment linkages are designed to facilitate tourism, reduce transaction barriers, and expand economic integration across South and East Asia.

Concluding his address, Governor Weerasinghe called on regional Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and private sector partners to move from discussion to active delivery, turning regional connections into shared prosperity.