SriLanka, April 12 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called upon the Government to take more decisive steps to strengthen State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), with particular attention to reviving SriLankan Airlines as a commercially viable entity.

Responding to questions raised by the Sunday Observer during a media briefing following the conclusion of the IMF's 18-day visit to Sri Lanka, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Evan Papageorgiou acknowledged the national importance of SriLankan Airlines in maintaining vital connectivity between Sri Lanka and global destinations.

He said that the carrier is also regarded as essential to supporting the country's tourism sector, which remains a key pillar of economic recovery.

The IMF welco...