Sri Lanka aims to leverage IMF stability for economic transformation

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation to discuss Sri Lanka’s economic trajectory during the seventh evaluation of the country’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme. The President stated that recent economic indicators suggest the nation is on a stable path, providing a foundation to transform the economy and improve living standards for the population.

IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou commended Sri Lanka for its fiscal discipline, noting improvements in government revenue and the attraction of foreign investment. The IMF delegation also acknowledged progress in implementing social welfare benefit programmes as part of the structural reforms.

While the IMF-supported programme has contributed to recovered foreign exchange reserves, reduced inflation, and a stable currency, the government continues to manage challenges such as rising energy costs and the social burdens of stringent tax policies. The President highlighted a 4.2% economic growth rate in the second quarter of 2026 as a key sign of recovery.