Opposition leader holds meeting with IMF delegates

Friday, 8 September 2023 00:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A group of representatives from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held a meeting with the opposition leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday in parliament. The purpose of the meeting was to engage in a discussion concerning the agreement reached between the IMF and the current government.

During the meeting, the opposition leader highlighted the importance of evaluating the progress of the agreement Sri Lanka has established with the IMF and identifying the imminent tasks that the government must accomplish.

Premadasa also underscored the importance of ensuring equitable treatment for all creditors and emphasised the need for the government to exercise special care when undertaking debt restructuring activities for at-risk groups.

There was a notable emphasis on closely monitoring short-term economic indicators to ensure the sustainability of economic well-being. Additionally, the importance of adhering to principles of fairness in the legal system and promoting good governance, as highlighted in the IMF's report, was a key point of discussion.

It was also announced that discussions will take place between the government and opposition groups during the upcoming visit of a special delegation from the IMF, scheduled to commence next week. These discussions will focus on the measures being implemented to establish and enhance economic stability within the country.

Opposition MPs Lakshman Kiriella, Eran Wickramaratne, Prof. G.L Peiris, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, and Kabir Hashim were also present at the meeting. The IMF was represented by Dr. Sarwat Jahan, the resident representative of the International Monetary Fund, and Manavi Abeywickrama, who served as an economic analyst and held the position of permanent resident representative for the IMF.