German grant for energy-efficient buildings program has received Cabinet approval, paving the way for a €924,063 (approximately Rs. 314 million) initiative aimed at improving energy efficiency and climate resilience in Sri Lanka’s building sector.
German grant for energy-efficient buildings program supports climate-resilient development
The funding, provided by the Government of Germany, will support a new technical cooperation program designed to strengthen Sri Lanka’s capacity to develop sustainable building policies, institutional frameworks and technical expertise while promoting environmentally responsible construction practices.
The German grant for energy-efficient buildings program will be implemented under the existing framework agreement on technical cooperation between the Governments of Sri Lanka and Germany. The project will be carried out by the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) in partnership with Sri Lanka’s Energy Ministry and the Sustainable Energy Authority.
Cabinet approval for the initiative was granted during Monday’s meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers. Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, announcing the decision at the weekly post-Cabinet media briefing, said the program is intended to strengthen the country’s policy and institutional capacity in sustainable construction.
According to the Government, the initiative will focus on improving the design, construction and long-term maintenance of buildings that consume less energy while being more resilient to climate-related challenges.
The programme is expected to contribute to the development of modern building standards and encourage greater adoption of energy-efficient technologies across the public and private sectors. It will also help strengthen institutional capabilities by providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to relevant agencies.
The Sustainable Energy Authority will play a key role in implementing the project alongside the Energy Ministry, working with GIZ to introduce international best practices and technical expertise that support Sri Lanka’s transition toward more sustainable infrastructure.
Energy-efficient buildings are increasingly recognised as an important component of national climate strategies, helping reduce electricity consumption, lower operating costs and minimise greenhouse gas emissions. Improving building performance can also reduce pressure on national power systems while supporting broader energy security objectives.
The German grant for energy-efficient buildings program aligns with Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to promote renewable energy, improve energy efficiency and strengthen climate resilience across multiple sectors of the economy. The Government has placed increasing emphasis on sustainable infrastructure as part of its long-term environmental and energy policies.
Officials expect the initiative to assist in developing stronger regulatory frameworks while encouraging the adoption of internationally recognised standards for energy-efficient construction and building management.
The proposal for the programme was submitted to the Cabinet by Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake, reflecting continued cooperation between Sri Lanka and Germany in the field of sustainable development and technical assistance.
Germany has been a longstanding development partner for Sri Lanka, supporting projects across renewable energy, environmental protection, vocational training and climate adaptation. The latest grant further reinforces bilateral cooperation while providing technical and institutional support to advance sustainable urban development.
With the approval now in place, the German grant for energy-efficient buildings program is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s ability to design and maintain climate-resilient buildings, helping create a more energy-efficient built environment that supports the country’s long-term sustainability and climate goals.