The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved US$100 million in financing to support low-income and vulnerable households through better jobs, livelihoods, skills, and social protection.
Under the programme, the ADB will support 30,000 households identified through the Aswesuma social registry across six districts to improve their livelihoods and income opportunities.
The programme will cover women and young people. Support will include livelihood grants, employment and business assistance, skills development, financial literacy training and access to reliable markets.
The US$100 million financing includes a US$50 million policy-based loan and a US$50 million project loan.
30,000 Households to Get Livelihood Support
The programme will support the Government’s National Empowerment Program, which aims to help low-income households build more stable sources of income.
Families identified through the Aswesuma social registry will have access to different forms of support based on the programme’s areas of focus.
These include grants for livelihoods, help with employment and businesses, skills training and financial literacy.
Access to reliable markets will form another part of the support. This can help people who develop products or services connect with buyers and build their income activities.
The programme also places attention on women and youth, who are among the groups facing greater economic challenges.
Five Elderly Day Care Centres Planned
The financing will also support better care services for elderly people.
Authorities plan to establish five model elderly day care centres in poorer districts. These centres will provide care and support services for older people.
They will also serve as model centres where different eldercare approaches can be tested and improved.
Successful models could later support the wider expansion of elderly care services.
Social Protection System to Get Digital Upgrade
Part of the financing will go towards improving how social protection services are managed and delivered.
Plans include better monitoring and evaluation systems, digital platforms, case management and data governance.
These changes are intended to help authorities manage social protection programmes more effectively and respond to people’s needs.
The programme will also strengthen arrangements for responding to economic, climate-related and other emergencies. Better coordination between institutions will support faster assistance when vulnerable communities face a shock.
ADB Country Director for Sri Lanka Shannon Cowlin said economic recovery should lead to improvements in the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people.
According to Cowlin, the programme will expand economic opportunities for poor households, improve care services for an ageing population and build a more responsive social protection system.
Overall, the US$100 million financing combines household livelihood support, elderly care and improvements to social protection services. The programme is expected to focus on helping vulnerable households build better income opportunities while improving support for people who need social protection.
Asian Development Bank (ADB) Ministerial Update
Last modified: October 22, 2026
