Mr Wickremesinghe, who was appointed this month following violent unrest, could be officially appointed as early as Wednesday morning in Colombo, the people said, asking not to be identified before a formal announcement. Mr Wickremesinghe will also be minister for Economic Stabilisation and National Policies, the people said.
The move to appoint Mr Wickeremesinghe as Finance Minister comes as opposition parties refused to take key cabinet roles in the so-called unity government, highlighting the risk of further political instability ahead. The World Bank said in a statement late Tuesday that it didn't plan to offer new financing to Sri Lanka"until an adequate macroeconomic policy framework is in place".In the meantime, the World Bank is repurposing resources from previously approved projects, to help the government with some essential medicines, temporary cash transfers for poor and vulnerable households, and to support farmers and small businesses.