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Former IMF Department Director Sharmini Coorey
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The Government must effectively communicate the reforms intended to address via the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility for the broader population without limiting it to the English-speaking elite crowd in Colombo, former IMF Department Director and Presidential Advisory Group on Multilateral Engagement and Debt Sustainability Member Sharmini Coorey said.
Joining a panel discussion organised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Serendipity Knowledge Program focused on Sri Lanka’s economic crisis via video conference technology on Tuesday, she noted that if the Government require public support to implement the IMF reforms without hindrance, effective communication is a must.
“The Government must convey the messages again and again in Sinhala and Tamil languages without limiting it to the English language as the crux of the matter for reforms must be understood by all citizens,” she said.
She also emphasised maintaining a transparent process, especially for the reforms and privatisation of the State-owned enterprise (SOE), as the public has lost trust in all politicians.
“An open process for the publication of the corporate and personal taxes, public borrowing and service expenses extended to the public such as health must be made available. This way the people will also know that such reforms in the institutions are necessary and will benefit them in the long term,” she pointed out.
Coorey added that through the necessary reforms, Sri Lanka will get its institutions and economy strengthened forever.
Highlighting the importance of the Anti-Corruption Act, she said it would be a game changer to bring in governance and boost public confidence.
She also said improving the social safety net and protecting the poor and vulnerable was critical for sustainable development.
