The minister was speaking at a media briefing in Colombo today (29).

Under this backdrop, Sri Lanka would not need to secure IMF relief, he added.

On a separate note, the minister also said that the increase of tax on imported tinned fish will not affect tinned fish prices in the local market.

Yesterday, it was announced that the Cabinet has decided to impose a tax of 100 rupees on a kilogram of canned fish, which is being imported to the county.