IMF says ready for talks with Sri Lanka's new leftist government

COLOMBO: The International Monetary Fund is ready to discuss its controversial US$2.9 billion bailout programme for Sri Lanka with the country's new government, a spokesman said.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (pic), sworn in Monday as the country's first leftist president, has said he wants to renegotiate the deal, which has brought unpopular austerity measures.