NO request from Sri Lanka for financial support - IMF

COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund stated that it had not received a request for financial support from Sri Lanka, from the Government.

"We stand ready to discuss options if requested and we continue to closely monitor economic and policy developments," said Gerry Rice, the Director of the Communications Department of the IMF on Thursday (11).

"On Sri Lanka, what I can tell you is that we had a staff team from the IMF in Colombo toward the end of next year, finished up just before the end of the year; and that was related to the Article IV Consultation. Then, that, we expect to be discussed by the Executive Board," he said in response to a question.

Gerry Rice said that the IMF had a mission that was aiming to strengthen, technical assistance mission, aiming to strengthen the macro-fiscal unit at the Ministry of Finance as part of its capacity development activities, and that was conducted virtually.