Harsh reforms vital to stabilise Sri Lanka's economy: Central Bank Governor
The Hindu
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Gov. Nandalal Weerasinghe has said that tough policy measures adopted to overcome the economic crisis were vital to stabilise economy
Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe has said that tough policy measures adopted by the government to overcome the ongoing economic crisis were vital to stabilise the island nation’s economy.
“The difficult and painful policy measures implemented by the Government and the Central Bank thus far have helped to stabilise the economic conditions, compared to the unprecedented socio-economic tensions witnessed in 2022,” Mr. Weerasinghe said.
Sri Lanka introduced painful economic measures such as tax hikes and utility rate hikes to unlock the $2.9 billion IMF bailout programme to help it overcome its economic crisis and catalyse financial support from other development partners.
“Despite these reforms have resulted in significant adjustment costs, causing hardship to the people and businesses in the near term, they were necessary to restore stability, which will accrue benefits to the people and businesses in the period ahead,” he said in a statement last week.
Trade unions and Opposition groups have organised protests against such tough measures and have vowed to carry on with mass-scale agitation to seek personal tax reductions.
The IMF, which approved a $2.9 billion bailout on March 20, said in a statement on April 8 that all must join in the recovery effort to pull the country out of the crisis.
The IMF further added that Sri Lankan authorities had committed to an ambitious reform programme to stabilise the economy.
As Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu is all set to take oath as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh for the fourth time, at Kesarapalle IT Park located near Vijayawada on June 12 (Wednesday), arrangements are underway for a live telecast of the ceremony at eleven places across the Nellore district.
Governor S. Abdul Nazeer has invited the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), to form the government in the State. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at Kesarapalle near here on June 12 (Wednesday). Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of national leaders will take part in the event
Ambassador of Finland to India Kimmo Lähdevirta on Tuesday said Finnish companies “face issues” in Tamil Nadu due to regulations that prevent their participation in tendering processes. Interacting with senior journalists of The Hindu at its head office in Chennai, he said certain regulations imposed by the State government were limiting.