By Sandun A Jayasekera  

The cabinet had an extensive discussion on the merits and demerits of obtaining a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and a decision would be taken pretty soon on whether to opt for an IMF loan to bail out Sri Lanka from the current economic mess, Cabinet Spokesman, Mass Media Minister Dulles Alahapperuma said yesterday.  

 He told the weekly cabinet news briefing that cabinet Ministers expressed their views for and against obtaining an IMF loan at the cabinet meeting held a fortnight ago.   “President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will take a final decision after consulting all members of the cabinet, the Finance Minister and other stakeholders to the subject,” he added.  The government has not ruled out the possibility of obtaining a loan or turning to the global financial body for a financial package at this crucial time, he noted.