The World Bank has agreed to provide Sri Lanka with $600 million in financial aid to help cover the cost of essential imports as the country’s economic crisis deepened, the Sri Lankan President’s Media Division said Tuesday.
The first tranche of $400 million would be released “shortly,” it stated, adding that the World Bank had expressed intention to continue helping Sri Lanka overcome its current economic crisis, local media Colombo Page reported.
Italy also stated Monday that it would make an “in-kind emergency contribution” of LKR125 million ($366,055) to Sri Lanka to assist with the procurement of medications and medical equipment.
According to the Italian Embassy in Colombo, the contribution will be channeled through the Italian Bilateral Emergency Fund at the World Health Organization and will allow payment to suppliers abroad directly.