Prez. pays tribute to three women instrumental in helping SL during crisis

President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing the International Women’s Day national celebration held yesterday said three women were instrumental in helping Sri Lanka during its troubled period.

According to him, those three women were India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

“When reflecting upon those who contributed to freeing the people from the sufferings experienced during the past, I think it is important to mention the names of three women who played a significant role.  I would like to acknowledge Nirmala Sitharaman, the Finance Minister of India, who played a vital role in providing a US $ 3 billion loan to Sri Lanka, after the country was declared bankrupt last April. Her decision to discuss the matter with the prime minister and Cabinet and to provide the loan to a country in such a dire financial state was a remarkably courageous act.

Without the availability of those funds during those three to four months, the current situation in the country would be far more challenging and for that, we must express our gratitude to her,” Wickremesinghe said. 

“Additionally, a crucial role was played by several key countries in supporting us during this challenging time. Notably, our talks with the United States, led by Janet Yellen, the Treasury Secretary, were instrumental in securing aid for our country. I extend my sincere gratitude to her for her efforts in this matter,” he added.

“I must also mention that Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, made a personal sacrifice for Sri Lanka by taking the lead to negotiate with the countries, the Paris Club, the World Bank and others. If these three women had not supported us, we would have been in a dire situation,” Wickremesinghe stressed.