IMF delegation concludes visit to SL

2026-01-28 - 10:24

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation has concluded its visit to Sri Lanka, which began on Jan. 22, aimed at assessing the impact of Cyclone Ditwah and engaging with local authorities on recovery measures. During their visit, the IMF team held discussions with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister – Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance – Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Central Bank Governor – Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Secretary to the Treasury – Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Senior Economic Advisor – Duminda Hulangamuwa, and other senior government officials. Meetings were also conducted with private sector representatives, civil society groups, and development partners. At the conclusion of the visit, Evan Papageorgiou of the IMF stated that the delegation engaged with authorities to understand the economic and social impact of the cyclone, including damage to infrastructure and loss of livelihoods. Discussions focused on fiscal response, monetary policy implications, financial sector stability, and reconstruction plans under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. Papageorgiou noted that as Sri Lanka begins rebuilding, the authorities are committed to maintaining fiscal and debt sustainability, improving public investment management, reprioritizing projects, and strengthening social safety nets. The IMF confirmed that a team will return to Sri Lanka shortly to continue discussions on the fifth review of the EFF, reaffirming its support for macroeconomic stability, resilience, and sustainable growth in the country. Related News: IMF delegation to arrive in SL today