Govt. will seek IMF assistance, if necessary: Cabinet Co-Spokesman

• Matter was not taken up at this week’s Cabinet meeting
• Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana asserts Govt. open for discussions with IMF and other multilateral lenders – WB, ADB

By Charumini de Silva

The Government will seek the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), if necessary, Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Plantation Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday.

“Whether or not IMF assistance will be sought was not discussed during the Cabinet meeting on Monday,” he said, during the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

However, Dr. Pathirana said the Finance Minister has continued to keep the Cabinet of Ministers informed on the state of the economy.

The Cabinet Co-Spokesman reiterated that the Government is keeping an open mind on seeking IMF assistance, citing that Sri Lanka on many occasions has sought assistance from the IMF.

“We are keeping lines of communication open with the IMF and other multilateral lenders such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB),” he added.