Colombo, October 03 (Daily Mirror) -  A high-level delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) held discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo today. 

The meeting, reported by the President's Media Division (PMD), is part of the IMF's ongoing engagement with Sri Lanka to discuss the progress of the ongoing IMF programme.

The IMF delegation included Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the Asia Pacific Department, and Dr. Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief.

The President was accompanied by key Sri Lankan officials, including Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Secretary to the Treasury Mahinda Siriwardena, Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma, Senior Advisors to the President Prof. Anil Jayantha, and Duminda Hulangamuwa.

During the meeting, President Dissanayake reaffirmed the government's broad agreement in principle with the objectives of the IMF programme but emphasized the importance of achieving these objectives through alternative means that alleviate the burden on the people. 

He noted that the government plans to provide relief to those struggling with high VAT and income taxes.

According to the PMD, the IMF appreciated President Dissanayake's commitment to the programme’s goals and agreed to discuss the alternative approaches proposed by the Sri Lankan government.

In addition, the two parties discussed the initiation of the third review of the programme. While there have been delays due to the upcoming General Elections, President Dissanayake assured the IMF of the government's dedication to continuing the programme without disruption and facilitating the third review process.