The World Bank has agreed to provide US$ 10 million immediately for the purchase of required pharmaceutical drugs, Finance Minister Ali Sabry, PC said.
Joining a television programme of a private channel yesterday night, the Minister said he held a lengthy discussion with the World Bank representatives in Colombo yesterday and the above measure was agreed during that meeting.
He also added that the Government expects about US$ 400-500 million emergency funding from the World Bank and that he expects to meet the World Bank’s South Asian Region Vice President when he reaches Washington next week.
He said the World Bank’s emergency funding would be to reintroduce the fertilizer subsidy and provide seeds to the farmers to revive agriculture and protect the farmers, and to implement a social safety net for vulnerable groups such as Samurdhi beneficiaries and other low income earning families for at least 6 months.
courtesy dailynews
