IMF deal Paris Club of creditor nations to support SL - Foreign Minister

• SL currently remains engaged with China to get more redress  
• US assured the fullest support to expedite the process to unlock the IMF arrangement

By Kelum Bandara   

The United States assured that the Paris Club of creditor nations will assure support for Sri Lanka to secure the US 2.9 billion programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a Minister said yesterday.    

 Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told Daily Mirror yesterday that he, along with Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, held talks with US Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland on Wednesday and discussed the IMF programme .   

The Minister said the US assured the fullest support to expedite the process to unlock the IMF arrangement. He said the Paris Club nations of creditors would support Sri Lanka as assured by the US official. However, he said Sri Lanka should work out equal treatment to all the creditors.   

China is the largest bilateral creditor to Sri Lanka. It has offered a two-year moratorium for loans obtained. However, Ms. Nuland, who addressed the media on Wednesday after her visit, said the Chinese offer was not enough.   

Sri Lanka currently remains engaged with China to get more redress.

• China has offered a two-year moratorium for loans obtained