Govt. received international funding owing to clear economic policy : Finance Minister

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera today (Jun 18) said the government has received international funding due to the country's clear economic policy and not because of personal friendships.

Addressing Parliament, he pointed out that funding received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Millenium Challenge Corporation, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) were some examples to this.

Mr. Samaraweera further stated that developing entrepreneurs, empowering the people, encouraging exports, and strengthening the country's health and education sectors while developing infrastructure were vital for a country's progress.

Accordingly, the Finance Minister noted that the Treasury would provide grants of Rs 100 million for each electorate under the Gamperaliya (Rapid Rural Development) programme in future.

He also said that Rs 8 billion will be allocated to develop 800 religious places of worship.

On the same lines, Mr. Samaraweera noted that the government would strive towards preventing the propogation of extremist ideologies, while also eliminating hate and animosity between communities.