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Lanka sought IMF assistance 16 times during Mahinda’s presidency

Published

4 years ago

2022/02/23

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government had not ruled out seeking IMF support although it expected the economy to turn around in the coming months, Co -Cabinet spokesman and Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said yesterday during the post-Cabinet press briefing.

“We have a clear understanding of the challenges we face, and we are ready to consider any option to resolve our issues. In fact, we constantly communicate with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other international lending bodies. The government has not ruled out IMF support. During the Mahinda Rajapaksa presidency Sri Lanka went to the IMF for assistance several times,” Minister Pathirana said.

During the Mahinda Rajapaksa presidency Sri Lanka sought IMF assistance 16 times, he said. The Minister added that remittances from Sri Lankans working outside were now increasing along with tourist arrivals.

“We have saved a lot of forex by restricting vehicle and non-essential imports.

However, the rapid rise in fuel prices is a big dent in our resources.

Sri Lanka needs to increase its exports,” he said.

Sri Lanka has a widening trade gap, the Minister said. In 2021, Sri Lanka imported goods in excess of US$ 4.1 billion compared to its exports.

“We need to minimise the trade gap in the short term and we need to have a positive trade balance in the long run. This is the only way out,” Minister Pathirana said.

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Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum

Published

22 mins ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.

This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.

The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.

Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.

News

Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed

Published

8 hours ago

2026/05/5

Priyan

The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.

The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:

Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage

The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.

The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.