PM begins talks with 10-member visiting IMF delegation

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday (20) morning started discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation, now in Colombo.

Issuing a press statement, the PM’s Media Division said that a 10-member IMF delegation was in Sri Lanka for 10 days.

The IMF is here for talks on a bailout programme for Sri Lanka who is facing its worst financial crisis since independence in 1948.

A few days ago, the IMF reaffirmed its commitment to support Sri Lanka at this difficult time, in line with the IMF’s policies.

Wickremesinghe has earlier said he hopes that the IMF visit will result in a quick staff-level agreement.

Wickremesinghe added that an IMF programme is crucial to access bridging finance from institutions such as the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

Representatives from Sri Lanka’s financial and legal advisors, Lazard and Clifford Chance, are also in Colombo.