IMF Fact-Finding Mission In Sri Lanka to Measure Cyclone Devastation

COLOMBO (News 1st); A visiting International Monetary Fund (IMF) fact‑finding mission began formal discussions today (22) with Sri Lankan authorities to determine the true scale and severity of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which battered the island at the end of November.

The mission marks the IMF’s first on‑ground engagement specifically focused on assessing the cyclone’s impact, as Sri Lanka grapples with the dual pressures of economic recovery and intensifying climate‑driven shocks.

Cyclone Ditwah, one of the most disruptive weather events to hit the country in recent years, displaced thousands and inflicted widespread damage to roads, homes, farmlands, public facilities, and livelihood networks across several districts.

Ahead of the visit, IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack outlined the purpose of the mission, stressing that the assessment is critical for understanding both the immediate humanitarian fallout and the policy implications for Sri Lanka’s economic reform process.

Speaking on 15 January 2026, Kozack said the team was tasked with developing a clear, evidence‑based picture of the devastation:

“The goal of the mission is to firm up our understanding of the size and the scope of the damage caused by the cyclone. The team will discuss with the authorities their policy intentions and the implications of the impact of the cyclone for the EFF program.”

She emphasised that the delegation’s role is fact‑finding, ensuring the IMF gains an accurate sense of ground realities:

“This is a fact‑finding mission to enable our team to get a better understanding of the situation on the ground and how we can best support Sri Lanka as it moves forward.”

Kozack added that discussions will examine what additional support may be necessary:

“What exactly may be needed to support Sri Lanka going forward is something that our fact‑finding team will be discussing with the authorities. Our goal is to help Sri Lanka as it recovers from the catastrophic hurricane and support in whatever way we can, in line with our mandate of helping Sri Lanka maintain macroeconomic stability.”

The IMF Executive Board had earlier approved USD 206 million in emergency assistance on 19 December 2025 under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) — funds specifically designed to address urgent needs arising from Cyclone Ditwah’s destruction.