IMF Approves $3 Billion Bailout for Sri Lanka
2023-03-22
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1The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a nearly $3 billion financial assistance plan for Sri Lanka Monday.
2The IMF also said it will carefully study Sri Lanka's governing practices including possible corruption as part of the program.
3About $333 million will be immediately provided to help solve the country's humanitarian crisis.
4The approval will also open up financial support from other international institutions.
5The South Asian country suspended repayment of its debt last year when it lacked foreign currency needed to pay for imports of fuel and other important goods.
6The shortages led to street protests that forced out the country's president.
7The economic situation has improved under current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
8But his plans to privatize state companies have brought opposition.
9Peter Breuer is the top IMF official in Sri Lanka.
10He said the IMF would study corruption and governance weaknesses in Sri Lanka and provide suggestions.
11Since last year, Sri Lankans have protested in the street demanding punishment and recovery of money allegedly stolen by members of a former ruling family.
12Critics of the government say corruption has been the main factor behind the country's economic crisis.
13Kristalina Georgieva is IMF's managing director.
14She said in a statement that Sri Lanka's institutions and governance "require deep reforms."
15The IMF's approval means Sri Lanka will no longer be considered a bankrupt nation.
16The country can also restart its normal dealings, Wickremesinghe said in a statement on Tuesday.
17The approval will unlock financing of up to $7 billion from other international financial institutions.
18Wickremesinghe said that as Sri Lanka's foreign currency improves, the country will slowly lift import restrictions.
19He said, "we will bring in essential goods, medicines and goods needed for the tourism industry."
20He added that he expects to present the agreement with the IMF to Parliament Wednesday.
21Earlier this month, the last step for the approval was cleared when China joined Sri Lanka's other lenders in providing promises for debt restructuring.
22China owns about 10 percent of Sri Lanka's total foreign debt.
23The IMF required Sri Lanka to raise income taxes and remove government support for electricity and fuel.
24But Breuer said the impact of the reforms on the poor needs to be limited.
25Officials must now discuss with Sri Lanka's lenders how to restructure its debt.
26Sri Lanka's foreign currency ran short as tourism and export earnings fell during the COVID-19 pandemic.
27Sri Lanka also faced heavy debt payments to Chinese and other lenders for large projects that did not create enough earnings.
28Sri Lanka also used its foreign currency holdings to try to strengthen Sri Lankan money, the rupee.
29Since Wickremesinghe became president, shortages have eased and hours-long daily power cuts have ended.
30The central bank says its currency holdings have improved and the black market no longer controls the foreign currency trade.
31However, workers' organizations oppose Wickremesinghe's plans to privatize state companies as part of his reform plan.
32And public anger may spread if he fails to act against the Rajapaksa family, who people believe were responsible for the economic crisis.
33Wickremesinghe's critics accuse him of protecting the Rajapaksa family in return for their support for his presidency.
34I'm Jill Robbins.
1The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a nearly $3 billion financial assistance plan for Sri Lanka Monday. The IMF also said it will carefully study Sri Lanka's governing practices including possible corruption as part of the program. 2About $333 million will be immediately provided to help solve the country's humanitarian crisis. The approval will also open up financial support from other international institutions. 3The South Asian country suspended repayment of its debt last year when it lacked foreign currency needed to pay for imports of fuel and other important goods. The shortages led to street protests that forced out the country's president. 4The economic situation has improved under current President Ranil Wickremesinghe. But his plans to privatize state companies have brought opposition. 5Peter Breuer is the top IMF official in Sri Lanka. He said the IMF would study corruption and governance weaknesses in Sri Lanka and provide suggestions. 6Since last year, Sri Lankans have protested in the street demanding punishment and recovery of money allegedly stolen by members of a former ruling family. Critics of the government say corruption has been the main factor behind the country's economic crisis. 7Kristalina Georgieva is IMF's managing director. She said in a statement that Sri Lanka's institutions and governance "require deep reforms." 8The IMF's approval means Sri Lanka will no longer be considered a bankrupt nation. The country can also restart its normal dealings, Wickremesinghe said in a statement on Tuesday. The approval will unlock financing of up to $7 billion from other international financial institutions. 9Wickremesinghe said that as Sri Lanka's foreign currency improves, the country will slowly lift import restrictions. He said, "we will bring in essential goods, medicines and goods needed for the tourism industry." He added that he expects to present the agreement with the IMF to Parliament Wednesday. 10Earlier this month, the last step for the approval was cleared when China joined Sri Lanka's other lenders in providing promises for debt restructuring. China owns about 10 percent of Sri Lanka's total foreign debt. 11The IMF required Sri Lanka to raise income taxes and remove government support for electricity and fuel. But Breuer said the impact of the reforms on the poor needs to be limited. 12Officials must now discuss with Sri Lanka's lenders how to restructure its debt. 13Sri Lanka's foreign currency ran short as tourism and export earnings fell during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sri Lanka also faced heavy debt payments to Chinese and other lenders for large projects that did not create enough earnings. Sri Lanka also used its foreign currency holdings to try to strengthen Sri Lankan money, the rupee. 14Since Wickremesinghe became president, shortages have eased and hours-long daily power cuts have ended. The central bank says its currency holdings have improved and the black market no longer controls the foreign currency trade. 15However, workers' organizations oppose Wickremesinghe's plans to privatize state companies as part of his reform plan. And public anger may spread if he fails to act against the Rajapaksa family, who people believe were responsible for the economic crisis. 16Wickremesinghe's critics accuse him of protecting the Rajapaksa family in return for their support for his presidency. 17I'm Jill Robbins. 18Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by The Associated Press. 19___________________________________________________________________ 20Words in This Story 21institution - n. an established organization 22currency - n. the money that a country uses 23alleged - adj. accused of having done something wrong or illegal but not yet proven guilty 24factor - n. something that helps produce or influence a result 25bankrupt - adj. unable to pay debts 26essential - adj. extremely important and necessary 27tourism - n. the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure 28income - n. money that is earned from work, investments, business, etc.