Apr 30, Colombo: Rejecting the media reports Sri Lanka Central Bank today announced that there was no any delay in the process of a US $1.9 billion loan sought from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Issuing a special statement Central Bank said Sri Lanka government and IMF has now reached the an advanced level of finalization of the loan.

A Safeguards Assessment mission from the IMF is now in Colombo having discussions with senior officials of the Government and the Central Bank as a part of the process, the Central Bank said.

According to the Central Bank, IMF team is still remaining in Sri Lanka to finalize this process.

However some international media today reported that the US had decided to delay the loan to apply pressure on Colombo to do more to help civilians caught in the fighting between the government and the LTTE.