April 16, Colombo (LNW): During the IMF-World Bank Group (WBG) Spring Meetings 2024 in Washington, D.C., Sri Lanka’s Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe met with Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Okamura commended Sri Lankan authorities for their robust programme implementation and remarkable progress in reforms.
Semasinghe led the Sri Lankan delegation, accompanied by Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana.
They discussed recent socio-economic developments and reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to maintaining the gains achieved under the IMF programme while ensuring strong ownership and policy consistency.
In a productive exchange, Okamura emphasised the importance of preserving these achievements and maintaining momentum in reforms.
Semasinghe shared insights into Sri Lanka’s macroeconomic landscape and investment opportunities during a roundtable with the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU).
Discussions focused on sectors like education, tourism, renewable energy, agriculture, and technology, highlighting their potential for sustainable economic growth.
Furthermore, Semasinghe engaged in discussions with Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian, IMF Executive Director for India and Sri Lanka, and Parameswaran Iyer, World Bank Executive Director for India and Sri Lanka.
Iyer assured Sri Lanka of his full support, updating Semasinghe on internal restructurings within the World Bank and their potential benefits for the country.
