IMF and SL second week talks on economic programme to end soon

IMF spokesman Gerry Rice, speaking at a virtual IMF briefing in Washington, said on Thursday that the IMF is monitoring political and economic developments in Sri Lanka very closely.

“We remain committed to help Sri Lanka in line with the IMF policies and we’ll engage with stakeholders in support of a timely resolution of the crisis that is being faced there,” he added.

Sri Lanka and the IMF discussed the macro-fiscal programme and the country's Finance Minister who is to be appointed soon will have to endorse the policy document in concluding the ongoing technical talks in the second week of negotiations, Central Bank Governor Dr.  Nandalal Weerasinghe disclosed.

An IMF team led by its Sri Lanka Mission Chief Masahiro Nozaki  has been continuing discussions with Sri Lanka’s Central Bank and Finance Ministry officials on policy changes to tackle the government's balance of payment issue, he said adding that those second week negotiations were about to conclude.

He revealed that the Sri Lanka team has already put forward the country’s fiscal and monetary policy reform plan including the present details of current policies. (Bandula)