The Asian Development Bank approved a $100 million results-based loan to transform Sri Lanka’s technical and vocational education and training system. The programme aims to develop skills aligned with labour-market needs, strengthen links between training providers and employers, and expand job opportunities for young people.

Scheduled for 2027–2031, the programme is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 young people. Plans include a hub-and-spoke training model across all nine provinces, an automotive technology centre of excellence, new industry-aligned courses and workplace-based learning. ADB’s package consists of a $50 million regular loan, a $50 million concessional loan and a $500,000 technical assistance grant; increasing women’s access to nontraditional occupations is also a goal.