The World Bank has provided USD 160 million to Sri Lanka to pay for essentials, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told the parliament today.
He said the funds received from the World Bank cannot be utilized to import fuel.
However, discussions are underway to consider if the funds could be used for petroleum purchases, PM Wickremesinghe added.
According to the Premier, Sri Lanka is also expecting a similar amount from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Addressing the House, the prime minister said: “Just to clarify some of the matters. The World Bank money cannot be used for fuel. At the moment they have given us the money which is for cash transfer. There is some more to come. So we want to ask them whether it is possible at this stage to use some of the money urgently to get petrol. Whether it succeeds or not, I do not know.”
“There is a World Bank team in Colombo at the moment. I will also be meeting them today so we will pursue it. If you’re like we’ll have it otherwise we won’t have that money. That’s about all we want to do,” he added.
