FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – Officials from the Sri Lankan treasury have been honored with a Commonwealth award for their exemplary efforts and innovative strategies in public debt management.
According to commonwealth.org, Sri Lanka has been granted the Regional Debt Management Office Award for the Asia-Pacific region due to its initiatives aimed at restructuring public debt and steering it toward sustainable levels, which included the adoption of novel financing methods.
In a notable recognition, debt managers from Barbados, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania were awarded the inaugural Commonwealth Public Debt Management Awards for their significant contributions and innovative practices in managing public debt.
Dr. Ruth Kattumuri, Senior Director of the Secretariat’s Economic, Development, Trade and Investment Directorate, praised these officials for their commitment to fostering sustainable debt management, which serves as a crucial driver of economic resilience in their respective nations.
Tanmaya Lal, the Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General (Programmes), emphasized the critical nature of debt management, particularly for developing economies within the Global South that are facing increasing demands to fulfill the developmental needs of their populations.
The awards highlight efforts to enhance the management of public debt, including improving integration with broader government financial frameworks and facilitating better access to financing for development initiatives.
An independent panel selected the award recipients based on criteria of innovation, resilience, and sustainability, following a review of submissions from various Commonwealth nations.
The Commonwealth Public Debt Management Forum serves as a platform for debt managers from member countries to engage in peer learning, exchange experiences, and discuss contemporary strategies related to government borrowing, management, and repayment of public debt. This forum also features high-level discussions focused on innovative policy frameworks that promote sustainable and inclusive debt management. (Colombo/Mar30/2026)
