ADB Sri Lanka Country Director Shannon Cowlin officially assumed duties in Colombo today, marking a significant leadership transition for the Asian Development Bank as Sri Lanka continues its economic recovery and resilience-building efforts.
ADB Sri Lanka Country Director role taken up by Shannon Cowlin
The appointment of ADB Sri Lanka Country Director Shannon Cowlin signals continuity and renewed engagement by the Asian Development Bank as Sri Lanka advances along its recovery path following recent economic and environmental challenges. The global lender confirmed that Cowlin formally assumed office in Colombo today, reinforcing its long-standing partnership with the country.
Commenting on her appointment, Cowlin said ADB remains firmly committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s rebuilding efforts and strengthening national resilience. She highlighted the importance of addressing the impacts and damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, noting that climate-related events continue to pose serious risks to development gains.
“As Sri Lanka continues on its path to recovery, ADB remains firmly committed to assisting the nation in rebuilding and strengthening its resilience,” Cowlin said, underscoring the institution’s ongoing engagement with both immediate recovery priorities and long-term development goals.
ADB has played a key role in Sri Lanka’s development landscape for decades, supporting the country through periods of structural reform, public health crises, and economic instability. Cowlin noted that the bank has been a trusted partner during some of Sri Lanka’s most challenging moments, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent economic crisis that strained public finances and livelihoods.
Looking ahead, she emphasized collaboration as a central pillar of ADB’s strategy. The bank plans to work closely with the Government of Sri Lanka, development partners, and local communities to promote sustainable growth, enhance institutional capacity, and create new economic opportunities. This approach aligns with ADB’s broader regional focus on inclusive development and climate-responsive investment.
Cowlin brings more than 26 years of professional experience to the role, including 13 years with the Asian Development Bank. Her career spans investment project operations, policy engagement, and knowledge-driven initiatives across a wide range of sectors. These include energy, climate change, environmental management, air quality, public health, and the interconnected energy–food–water nexus.
Most recently, Cowlin served as Country Director of ADB’s Mongolia Resident Mission, where she led national strategy and operational oversight from 2023. In that role, she was responsible for guiding development priorities, managing complex project portfolios, and strengthening partnerships with government institutions and stakeholders.
Before joining ADB, Cowlin worked as a manager at the United States National Renewable Energy Laboratory. There, she led regional energy cooperation efforts between the United States, India, and South Asia, gaining extensive experience in cross-border collaboration and clean energy policy frameworks. This background is expected to be particularly relevant as Sri Lanka accelerates its transition toward sustainable and climate-aligned development pathways.
As a national of the United States, Cowlin brings a global perspective shaped by both technical expertise and on-the-ground leadership experience in emerging economies. She holds a master’s degree in environmental health sciences and a bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering sciences from the University of California, Berkeley.
Market analysts and development observers note that her appointment comes at a critical juncture for Sri Lanka. With economic stabilization underway and structural reforms continuing, the role of multilateral development partners such as ADB remains vital in supporting fiscal sustainability, infrastructure investment, and social protection initiatives.
The appointment of the new ADB Sri Lanka Country Director is expected to strengthen strategic alignment between Sri Lanka’s national priorities and ADB’s development agenda. As the country navigates recovery while managing climate risks and reform commitments, Cowlin’s experience positions her to play a key role in shaping the next phase of cooperation between Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank.