PM says country yet to receive any foreign financial aid for COVID-19

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa today told former MPs that the Government was yet to receive any foreign financial aid that had been pledged so far. 

During a meeting of former MPs held at Temple Trees today, Mr Rajapaksa directed Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle to explain the situation regarding foreign aid given that various allegations are being raised over the matter. 

Mr Attygalle said that the World Bank had agreed to provide an aid package amounting to USD 127 million to Sri Lanka given the current global situation. An agreement on this had already been signed. The Treasury Secretary said that the aid had not yet been provided to Sri Lanka but that it was expected in the coming weeks. 

He further said the World Bank aid package will be used to settle financial expenses incurred by the Health Ministry and other sectors when fighting COVID-19. He added that the Health Ministry has also received foreign aid by way of goods. 

Mr Rajapaksa had called the meeting of former MPs to explain the steps taken by the Government to counter COVID-19 in the country. 

While a number of political parties represented in Parliament attended today's meeting, it was boycotted by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, Samagi Jana Balavegaya and the United National Party.