January 13, Colombo (LNW): A delegation from the International Monetary Fund is due in Sri Lanka on January 22 for further engagements linked to the country’s ongoing financial support programme, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando disclosed.
He explained that the visit will centre on follow-up discussions connected to the fifth review of the Extended Fund Facility, a process that has already been technically completed.
Approval by the IMF’s Executive Board was originally expected in mid-December, but this was deferred after Sri Lanka sought additional assistance under the Rapid Financing Instrument.
According to the Deputy Minister, the forthcoming discussions will go beyond the programme review and are also expected to cover recent fiscal developments. In particular, the IMF team is likely to examine the supplementary estimates tabled in Parliament, reflecting revised spending needs and emerging economic pressures.
Dr Fernando noted that the government views the visit as an opportunity to clarify outstanding issues and align expectations, as Sri Lanka continues efforts to stabilise the economy while managing new challenges within the broader reform framework.
