Sept 06, Colombo: The World Bank's new Vice President for South Asia, Isabel Guerrero, wrapped up her first visit to Sri Lanka with a strong re-affirmation of her institution’s commitment to expand economic opportunities for all Sri Lankans and to reach those excluded by poverty and conflict.

"Sri Lanka clearly has so much potential which is being held back by conflict," said Guerrero.

"I was really impressed to see that our new strategy to assist the nation’s development has broad-based support built on consultations we carried out across the island. It is so important for all Sri Lankans to have a stake in the island’s growth," she added.

The Country Assistance Strategy proposes US$900 million in lending to Sri Lanka over the next four years. It focuses on improving connectivity through infrastructure, especially roads and irrigation, to spread economic opportunity across this small but divided nation, some parts of which have been battered by decades of conflict.