Cabinet not notified of IMF staff level agreement: Speaker confirms

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana today informed Parliament that the cabinet of ministers have not been briefed about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff level agreement and that he will brief the cabinet, the opposition and the House once the additions and amendments are added to it.

“The President informed me that discussions have to be held with creditors and reports of these discussions are added to the agreement before it is presented to IMF board for its approval,” the Speaker said.

“The cabinet will be briefed soon and the Speaker, opposition and others will be called in for a briefing on the IMF agreement once the discussions with creditors are held, a complete report of these discussions will be added,” the Speaker added.

Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella who responded said details of the IMF agreement should be presented to Parliament before it is approved by the cabinet.

“ It cannot be approved by cabinet without presenting it to Parliament,” Mr. Kiriella said. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)