IMF assures continued support for tourism sector

by Anjana Gamage

The International Monetary Fund has assured continued support for the Sri Lanka's Tourism sector which was badly hit by the recent tsunami while also pledging to boost the country's economy in general.

This assurance was given by an IMF delegation when they met Industries, Investment Promotion and Tourism Minister Anura Bandaranaike at Visumpaya yesterday.

The discussions were based on the investment opportunities for tourism and industries, industrial development and policies. The head of the delegation Thomas Rambog addressing the meeting assured Minister Bandaranaike that Sri Lanka had received rapid progress in the local tourism sector after the tsunami tragedy.

Minister Bandaranaike gave a vivid picture of the tsunami tragedy and brought the IMF delegation up to date on Sri Lanka's current political situation.

At the end of the discussion, the IMF delegation requested that a suitable solution to be worked out to overcome the present power crisis emphasizing that electricity played a key role in industrial development.

The IMF delegation comprised Thomas Rambog, Luvi Valowiso, Additional Director of IMF, Doctor Uthum Herath, Erick Fernandez, Marti Davis and Ms. Olin Lieu. Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism Dr. P. Ramanujam, Additional Secretary George Michael, Secretary to the Ministry of Industries Dr. U. Vidanapathirana and the Chairman of BOI Saliya Wickremasooriya also participated.