Sri Lanka, June 30 -- Finance Ministry sources yesterday said that Sri Lanka will receive a US$ 1 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) soon. The Finance Ministry sources said that this loan will be given to Sri Lanka to be maintained as a foreign reserve.

This move will facilitate international lending agencies to provide financial assistance to the country for the import of pharmaceuticals, fuel, gas and essential commodities.

The discussions aiming at reaching a staff level agreement for an IMF loan for Sri Lanka are expected to end today. The IMF representatives began discussions with senior government officials on June 20. The delegation met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe duri...