Confidential files on IMF bailout loan missing from PM’s office

Confidential files with important documents and reports relating to recent discussions with the representatives of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Sri Lankan authorities have gone missing from the Prime Minister’s Office following the invasion and takeover of the building by protesters of the struggle.

All relevant reports and minutes of discussions between then Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe and IMF team of officials were kept under lock and key at the PM’s office for future reference due to its importance of obtaining a bailout loan from the IMF, a spokesman of the PM’s office said.

He added that these files with important documents have gone missing during the period of forcibly occupation of invaders and protesters at the PM’s office who took over the office in a mass raid four days ago (last week).

At the moment top-level talks with the IMF on a multibillion-dollar bailout has been stalled due to the political impasse, a senior Finance Ministry official said.    

He said that the country urgently needs political stability and a stable administration to progress discussions with the IMF on key structural reforms, as well as to secure short-term bridge financing from other countries and multilateral agencies to help pay for key imports like fuel, pharmaceuticals and fertilisers. (Bandula)