Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has issued a clarification on the news report circulating pertaining to a request by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with regard to State Owned Enterprises in Sri Lanka.
He made the clarification on the report, citing Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella, claiming that the IMF has requested for 40 state institutions to be privatized as part of its conditions to provide financial assistance to crisis-hit Sri Lanka.
According to Lankadeepa, MP Kiriella had said the opposition will provide its support for the proposition when the matter is presented in Parliament.
Commenting on the matter, Dr. Harsha de Silva said he had inquired in this regard and it has come to light that no such direction or request has been made by the IMF.
He further pointed out that, however, the reform of State Owned Enterprises is crucial to dealing with the Sri Lanka crisis.
The opposition MP said, however, that the story making rounds on the IMF request in this regard is “more fiction than fact”. (NewsWire)