Government prepares to celebrate Avurudu with loans
Sri Lanka is seeking two loan facilities to purchase essential goods for the upcoming Avurudhu season and the next few months; USD 1 Bn from India and USD 200 Mn from Australia.
Minister of Trade Bandula Gunewardana told the Sunday Times newspaper that the Treasury has commenced discussions on these loan facilities to enable the purchase of essential goods such as rice, dhal and medicine.
“The two loan facilities would be sufficient for the import of essential goods for about six months,” he said.
The Australian loan is earmarked for dhal and barley with the rest for other essential goods whilst the Indian loan is to cover onions, potatoes, dhal and medicine.