UN to help Sri Lanka address current economic challenges
COLOMBO –The United Nations (UN) has assured Sri Lanka its fullest support in securing international assistance to address the shortages of essential supplies and also the concerns relating to issues such as unemployment and malnutrition.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement issued on Tuesday (24), said the UN assurance had been extended by its Resident Coordinator in Colombo, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, when she met Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris on Monday (23) and discussed the multiple impacts arising from the current economic situation in the country, including supply of essential items, concerns regarding food security and livelihood matters.
It said the UN official had said the world body would make a multi-sectoral appeal in this regard and would continue its cooperation with the Government of Sri Lanka.
The statement said Minister Peiris had underscored that the government has anticipated the difficulties that may arise in the times ahead and is taking precautionary measures to mitigate the impact. He had also outlined the steps taken by the government to ensure political and economic stability in the country, including the ongoing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
He had said a central mechanism with the participation of key government agencies as well as the UN and donor countries was under consideration in order to address the urgent needs of the people, with particular focus on the most vulnerable sectors of the society, and ensures measures were being taken by the government to address the shortage of essential supplies as well as issues encountered by the agricultural sector in consultation with bilateral partners.
-ENCL