IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura, yesterday said that Sri Lanka’s economic reform programme has produced significant outcomes and deserves praise. He added that the current ties between Sri Lanka and the IMF will be further strengthened. The visiting IMF Deputy Managing Director said that Sri Lanka will be able to expand investment opportunities with the assistance extended by the IMF.  

Sri Lanka will be able to make progress in its path to success through the economic stabilization programme implemented so far, IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura made these remarks when he met Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe at the latter’s Ministry yesterday. Semasinghe, said that the people have provided their support for the challenging measures required to revive the country’s economy.

The State Minister made these remarks during a meeting with IMF delegation led by IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura at the Finance Ministry yesterday.

The Government has implemented a transparent social welfare empowerment programme to empower the people while providing welfare to the people, he said.

The State Minister said that the IMF delegation was also apprised of this mechanism too. Semasinghe added that the country is in a challenging moment and a number of reforms programmes were implemented with an objective of stabilising the economy in a macroeconomic environment.

He conceded that the country has to do many things to achieve long-term economic growth. “The economy should be diversified. It is very important to develop the business environment, strengthen financial management and introduce anti-corruption laws,” he said.

Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, Central Bank’s Economic Research Department Director Dr. P.K.G. Harischandra and IMF’s Asia Pacific Deputy Director Anne-Marie Gulde and IMF Country representative Sarwat Jahan were present.