Basil chairs ruling party meeting at Temple Trees; President overseas & PM in H'tota

COLOMBO (News 1st); Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa on Tuesday (14) chaired a meeting at Temple Trees on development projects planned by the government for 2022.

MPs and Ministers from the ruling party were informed of the government's rural development program at this meeting.

The 2022 Budget allocated Rs. 85 Bn for Rural Development and matters delated to the fund allocation were discussed at the meeting.

State Minister (Dr) Susil Premajayantha who attended this meeting hinted that the government is likely to speak with the International Monetary Fund to step out of the present economic crisis.

"This is my opinion. If I am an account holder and I encounter an issue I would visit my bank. Sri Lanka is a member of IMF. Therefore, there are instances of going to IMF for solutions. The government will make the necessary decision," he said.

He expressed faith the Central Bank Governor is steering Sri Lanka away from bankruptcy.

However, he stressed that Sri Lanka needs strong solutions and not micro solutions.

This meeting took place while the President was overseas and the Prime Minister was visiting Hambantota.