May 31, Colombo: Kenji Okamura, the Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting with the Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena in Parliament Wednesday said that the IMF expects to provide the maximum support for Sri Lanka and its people.

During the meeting held with the Speaker and Members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business the Deputy Managing Director of IMF praised the many positive groundworks being carried out in order to get the economy of Sri Lanka back on the right track.

During the discussions, the Speaker expressed his gratitude to all directors led by Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the IMF on behalf of the Sri Lankan Government and its people, for giving leadership to support the island nation to overcome the difficulties faced during hard times.

Furthermore, the Speaker pointed out that in order to emerge out from the current crisis, tough decisions pertaining to economic stabilization had to be taken and necessary steps on that regard have been taken through the Parliament.

He also pointed out that many positive steps have been taken, such as the establishment of a Budget Office in Parliament, the introduction of an Anti-corruption Bill, and the introduction of the Central Bank Act paving way for a new economic vision with transparency.

Mr. Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, who visited the Parliament this afternoon, was received by State Minister Shehan Semasinghe, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary General of the Parliament Tikiri K. Jayathilaka, Assistant Secretary General Hansa Abeyratne and Serjeant-at-Arms Mr. Narendra Fernando.

Following the discussion with the Speaker, Mr. Okamura visited the Parliament chamber. He then engaged in a cordial discussion with the members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business.