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Govt repays loan of USD one billion: Harsha

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15 January 2019 05:40 pm - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister Harsha de Silva said today the government had settled the one billion US dollars borrowed by the previous regime in January, 2014 by way of international sovereign bonds.

“We paid back this loan today. Unlike what we are used to, these bonds have to be repaid in one go. We have several such bonds to be repaid,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera confirmed that this debt had been settled in full and that Sri Lanka had maintained the record of re-paying its debts on time.

He said the government was hoping to build up its external reserves through swaps, term loans from friendly countries, international sovereign bonds and through credit lines. (Yohan Perera)


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  Comments - 18

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  • Unchikun Tuesday, 15 January 2019 06:03 PM

    Cheers! That is a relief after 50 days on government standstill.

    Punchi Banda Tuesday, 15 January 2019 06:23 PM

    Borrowing from peter to pay paul

    YOU CANNOT FOOL US Wednesday, 16 January 2019 07:32 AM

    If it is our hard earned money only then you can crow about. In this instance you are just making book entries on loans "IN" and loans "SELLED" (out) . Do you think we are fools to to be praising you for this "loan settlement"

    Tax-Payer Tuesday, 15 January 2019 06:32 PM

    These fellows must be happy at having paid part of a loan.Now they may be having ideas of importing luxury Duty-Free vehicles for their use.

    das Tuesday, 15 January 2019 06:36 PM

    Well done!! I hope the MR apologists making snide comments here have the decency and the humility to appreciate this.

    nsathees Tuesday, 15 January 2019 06:41 PM

    Repaid from reserve! Should I say, Bravo?

    aa Tuesday, 15 January 2019 06:46 PM

    well. lets forget then what was lost from bond scam..

    mimslanka1@yahoo.com Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:02 PM

    Cheers for maintaining a clear record of debt repayment. But when do we recover the part of that booty the clan you-know-who enjoyed.

    Nalin Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:11 PM

    That’s a great news, first time I hear that SL government paid a loan.

    concern Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:17 PM

    We have heard how the admin blames the past regime for almost 4 years on the loans. However they have done some development but the present admin has done a lot to their own politicians.

    NIHAL Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:29 PM

    MR HARSHA SAID GOVERNMENT PAID ONE BILLION LOAN FROM LOANS WE BORROWED HOW MUCH MILLIONS BUREAUCRATS STEAL FROM THAT

    ME Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:34 PM

    Well done! You didn't mention where the one billion $ came from.

    Hari M Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:34 PM

    You talk about previous governments borrowing, wasting etc. Why don't you investigate and punish them if them have misused the funds, like in Hambantota ports project? where you keep screaming it was not economically viable. Absolute worthless criminals just talk and have jolly at poor man's expense.

    tommy Tuesday, 15 January 2019 07:39 PM

    So when are you planning to repay the loans taken by the present government?

    Ghoste Tuesday, 15 January 2019 08:05 PM

    It is worth publishing the figures to public when the loan was borrowed and from where, so that people know clearly these loans were borrowed during MR corrupt regime.

    lanka Tuesday, 15 January 2019 09:15 PM

    I think most of these loans had a 5 year grace period. So this could be a repayment of loan taken at MR era. However, we should not forget about loans taken by the present government too.

    nalaka Wednesday, 16 January 2019 07:31 AM

    all politician should be responsible for this .since all are robbers of bublic..they have destroyed our beautiful country.If they love to our country and peoples,they can dedicate their comfortable life..no needs luxury vehicle permit..no needs more security..borrowing money is not the matter. matter is using that money in efficency..it should be capital expenses..people should identify good people for political.

    Jude Wednesday, 16 January 2019 07:35 AM

    When SL $87 Billion Economy(GDP) there's opportunities to raise few Billion dollars DEBT from world financial markets!!! Notta big deal !!!huh!!


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