He also said that discussions will also be held with bodies such as the World Bank and European Union as well as with countries already providing assistance to Sri Lanka such as India, China, US and Japan.

He has also said that a group of cabinet ministers have been entasked with this.

However, several government ministers including Vasudewa Nanayakkara and Bandula Gunawardena had strongly expressed their views against seeking IMF assistance.

They had stated that the IMF would impose conditions which will end up having to cut back on public welfare activities.