• Stresses it is time for everyone to work together to strengthen economy via reforms

State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe yesterday said President Ranil Wickremesinghe will address the nation today on the major breakthrough of securing $ 3 billion support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday.

An elated Semasinghe said the background required to obtain IMF approval was prepared in patience and trust of the people of the country, as well as the unpopular but necessary reforms in the country that were carried out by President Ranil Wickramasinghe.

“At the end of a huge process of eight months, with the irrepressible courage and commitment of the President, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and other institutions, as well as the support of the International Monetary Fund, the official creditors of our country and other countries, we got the opportunity to access the extended loan facility of the International Monetary Fund. This approval was essential for the country at this time,” he said.

“Now is the time when all of us should work together to strengthen the country’s economy. Further, we have to work patiently in these reforms,” Semaasinghe said, adding that the duty assigned to him by the President was well fulfilled not only as a public representative but also as a Sri Lankan.

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