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President Ranil returns after attending Berlin Global Dialogue

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has returned to the island this morning (Oct. 01), after concluding his official visit to Germany to attend the ‘Berlin Global Dialogue’.

The Sri Lankan head of state left for Germany on Friday (Sep. 27) in order to attend the dialogue which was held on September 28 and 29, 2023 in Berlin.  The global high-level forum, was a gathering influential decision-makers and leaders from the realms of politics, business and society, alongside young visionaries.

The Sri Lankan leader delivered the opening remarks on the first day of the two-day event in the German capital, during which he underscored the need for a comprehensive international dialogue to address global challenges in 2024.

Meanwhile speaking during the “Berlin Dialogue” Roundtable, the President also claimed that debt restructuring discussions with China so far have been positive and that they have to talk with the Paris Club and India once again.

However, President Wickremesinghe also engaged in bilateral talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on the sidelines of the Berlin Global Dialogue.

President Wickremesinghe was accompanied by Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President, Sagala Ratnayaka; President’s Senior Adviser on Economic Affairs, Dr. R.H.S Samarathunga; and Secretary of the Foreign Ministry, Aruni Wijewardhena.

He also joined the Leaders Dialogue session on “The Role of Kazakhstan in the Transition of the Global Economy” led by the Kazakhstan President.

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IMF grants waivers despite obligation breach & erred reporting

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The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviewed non complying purchases made by Sri Lanka under the 2023 Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) as well as inaccuracies of information reported to the IMF.

However, the IMF has decided to grant waivers and not pursue further action, citing corrective measures and a commitment to reform by Sri Lankan authorities.

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair – Mr. Kenji Okamura, has issued the following statement:

“The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviewed non complying purchases made by Sri Lanka under the 2023 Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (“EFF”), as well as a breach of obligations under Article VIII, Section 5. The noncomplying purchases arose as a result of the provision of inaccurate information by the authorities on the stock of expenditure arrears at the first, second, and third reviews under the EFF.

“The inaccuracies in information provided to the IMF were inadvertent and arose because of weaknesses in the timely reporting of arrears by line ministries to the Ministry of Finance, as well as a misunderstanding by the authorities of the definition of “arrears” under the Technical Memorandum of Understanding. 

“The Executive Board positively considered the authorities’ corrective actions, the fact that arrears repayments will be accommodated within the existing fiscal envelope, and the authorities’ commitment to improving public financial management procedures in line with the new PFM law, to reduce the risk of accruing arrears or inaccurate reporting of information going forward. In view of the above, the Executive Board agreed to grant waivers for the nonobservances of the quantitative performance criterion that gave rise to the noncomplying purchases and decided not to require further action in connection with the breach of obligations under Article VIII, Section 5.”

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Abdul Wazeeth appointed to Parliament from SLMC national list

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Abdul Wazeeth of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has been appointed as a Member of Parliament, the National Election Commission has announced.

His appointment comes following the resignation of former MP M. S. Naleem, who had entered Parliament through the SLMC National List after the 2024 parliamentary election.

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Tense situation in Kahawatta as residents clash with police

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Police had been compelled to use tear gas to control a tense situation that erupted between residents and police in Kahawatta following the funeral of a youth who was shot dead recently.

The funeral was held today (July 03) and the clash had broken out shortly afterwards.

Residents had expressed anger over the handling of the and had hurled stones at the police, reports say.

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