An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou, concluded a six-day visit to assess the impact of Cyclone Ditwah and discuss economic policies for the upcoming review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Papageorgiou expressed the IMF’s intention to dispatch a mission at the earliest opportunity to continue discussions related to the EFF review.
In a statement, Papageorgiou emphasized the IMF’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka in maintaining macroeconomic stability and fostering resilience and sustainable growth. Although the visit was initially anticipated to finalize the fifth EFF review, which is crucial for the release of the sixth tranche of the loan, Papageorgiou did not address this in his statement.
During the visit, the IMF team engaged with authorities and stakeholders to assess the cyclone’s economic and social impact, particularly the damage to infrastructure and loss of livelihoods. Discussions concentrated on the fiscal response to the natural disaster and its implications for monetary policy and financial sector stability.
The meetings involved detailed exchanges about the authorities’ future policy intentions, financing needs, and how the IMF can best assist Sri Lanka’s recovery and reconstruction under the EFF arrangement. Papageorgiou noted the authorities’ commitment to safeguarding fiscal and debt sustainability gains, enhancing public investment management, and ensuring transparent compliance with the Public Financial Management Act.
Furthermore, the authorities are determined to strengthen social safety nets to protect the poor and vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by the cyclone. The mission held meetings with key leaders, including President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando, Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe, and Secretary to the Treasury Harshana Suriyapperuma, among others.
This visit underscores the ongoing collaboration between the IMF and Sri Lanka as the nation works towards economic recovery and resilience in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
(Colombo/January 28/2026)
