24 June 2023 06:30 am Views - 1353
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President Ranil Wickremesinghe with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at Summit for A New Global Financing Pact, in Paris, this week |
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President Ranil Wickremesinghe with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva at the summit in Paris |
President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen this week, where he provided an update on the efforts taken towards the revival of the national economy.
He extended an invitation for her to visit Sri Lanka.
The duo met on Thursday (22) on the sidelines of the Paris Summit for a New Global Financing Pact.
According to the President’s Media Division, during the discussion, Yellen reaffirmed the United States’ backing for Sri Lanka’s reform agenda and requested an update on the country’s progress with the International Monetary Fund procedures.
Accordingly, Wickremesinghe provided a brief on the current situation in Sri Lanka while highlighting the challenges faced in the debt restructuring process.
He pointed out that Sri Lanka had chosen to take control of the situation and move forward with determination. An update on the on-going discussions with the bilateral creditors was also shared. During the meeting,
Wickremesinghe expressed appreciation to the United States for its support in Sri Lanka’s debt relief measures and increased financial assistance for sustainable development and commended Yellen’s leadership in this regard.
Yellen was also briefed on the Sri Lankan government’s economic objectives and climate prosperity plan. Wickremesinghe emphasised Sri Lanka’s intention to involve the private sector in this process.
The US delegation was also updated on the upcoming visit and the engagement between the two countries. Meanwhile, Wickremesinghe also met with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva at the summit. Taking to Twitter, the IMF chief said she strongly welcomes the strong ownership by the Sri Lankan government to address the economic challenges.
“We are committed to support Sri Lanka’s economic reforms to improve the living standards of its people,” she tweeted.