IMF Schedules Sri Lanka Mission from March 23 to April 9 for Key Fifth and Sixth Program Reviews

COLOMBO (News 1st); An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team will visit Sri Lanka from March 23 to April 9, 2026, to hold discussions with the authorities on the combined fifth and sixth reviews of Sri Lanka’s reform program supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

The visit was confirmed in a statement issued by Evan Papageorgiou, IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka.

According to the statement, the discussions will focus on reviewing progress under the reform program currently supported by the IMF. The IMF team is expected to communicate at the conclusion of the visit.

Earlier in the day (19), IMF Director of Communications Julie Kozack said that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team will visit Sri Lanka from March 26 through April 9 to hold discussions on economic policies, with the aim of completing a combined fifth and sixth review under Sri Lanka’s IMF-supported programme,

Addressing the IMF’s assessment of Sri Lanka, Kozack said the upcoming mission will engage closely with Sri Lankan authorities, including to better understand the potential impact of the conflict in the Middle East on the country’s economy. She noted that once the team returns, it will provide an updated assessment of Sri Lanka’s economic conditions and examine how the IMF can continue to best support the country.

Kozack said the IMF Managing Director, who recently visited Sri Lanka, had observed that the country’s reform programme has made very significant progress. She added that even after being hit by the devastating Cyclone Ditwa, the Managing Director was inspired by the resilience of the Sri Lankan people and their ability to face what she described as a momentous challenge.

On economic performance, Kozack said Sri Lanka’s economy has been growing relatively strongly, recording 5% growth in 2025. She noted that inflation stood at about 1.6% in February, while debt restructuring is nearly complete and gross international reserves have been increasing significantly.

However, she cautioned that Sri Lanka remains significantly exposed to the conflict in the Middle East, particularly through trade, remittances, and tourism channels, which could weigh on the country’s economic outlook.

Kozack said the forthcoming IMF discussions will therefore also focus on assessing these external risks, as the Fund works with Sri Lankan authorities to determine the next steps under the programme and ensure continued economic stability.