IMF Reaffirms Support for Sri Lanka, Commends Progress Amid Global Headwinds

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan delegation, led by Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, has engaged in productive discussions with senior leadership of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings 2026, along with meetings with rating agencies and investors.

During the engagements, IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva congratulated Sri Lanka on reaching a staff‑level agreement for the combined fifth and sixth reviews under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

She reaffirmed the IMF’s continued support for Sri Lanka’s efforts toward achieving durable economic recovery and sustained progress.

The Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, Dr. Kenji Okamura, commended the progress made by Sri Lankan authorities despite significant global headwinds and domestic challenges.

He acknowledged that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has had asymmetric impacts across countries and stressed that financial support measures introduced to address these challenges should be well‑targeted and time‑bound.

Dr. Okamura also underscored the importance of restoring cost‑reflective energy pricing in a timely manner and encouraged Sri Lanka to continue sustaining reforms and maintaining policy discipline to strengthen economic resilience and support long‑term growth.

Governor Weerasinghe expressed appreciation to the IMF leadership for the flexibility shown in program parameters, particularly in light of the severe challenges faced by Sri Lanka following the recent cyclone and evolving geopolitical developments.