Govt. to seek flood rebuilding assistance from WB and IMF

Thursday, 22 June 2017 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Based on a report compiled by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka evaluating the impact of the recent natural disasters, the Government has decided to seek help from the international community to bring the nation back to where it was.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday told Parliament that the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank were at the top of the list of requests that were sent.

“The Central Bank compiled a report on the economic impact of the recent natural disasters while the National Planning Department compiled an assessment report on the damages. The reports on post-damage assessment and economic impact of the recent floods and landslides were submitted to the IMF and the World Bank. We seek their assistance. Our biggest challenge is to confront the natural disasters without losing the current pace of economic growth,” he said.

“The Government did its best, providing some relief and assistance to the people affected by a prolonged dry spell, floods and landslides and to curb the spread of the dengue epidemic. The compensation payment of property damages and agricultural crop damages will be expedited. We have taken the dengue epidemic situation seriously and all steps are being taken to bring the situation under control,” he added in response to UPFA Joint Opposition group leader MP Dinesh Gunawardena. (AH)