By: Isuru Parakrama
June 10, Colombo (LNW): Dr Gita Gopinath, the First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is set to arrive in Sri Lanka for a high-level visit spanning June 15 to 16, 2025, marking a notable occasion in the island’s ongoing economic recovery journey.
Her visit will be the first by an IMF official in this role in two decades, signalling renewed engagement between Sri Lanka and the global financial institution.
Dr Gopinath, a prominent economist and one of the IMF’s top-ranking officials, will serve as the guest of honour at a key policy forum titled Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance, scheduled for June 16. The conference is a collaborative initiative organised by the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and the IMF itself.
Taking place at a crucial juncture—halfway through Sri Lanka’s reform programme supported by the IMF—the event aims to reflect on the country’s journey so far. Topics on the agenda include progress in stabilising the macroeconomic environment, navigating complex debt restructuring processes, and instituting much-needed governance reforms.
The forum is expected to bring together senior policymakers, economists, and international observers to assess the strides made and the roadblocks still ahead.
It will provide a platform for open dialogue on sustaining fiscal discipline, strengthening institutions, and promoting transparency—areas seen as vital for long-term recovery and investor confidence.
Dr Gopinath is also scheduled to engage in a series of bilateral meetings during her visit. These discussions will involve senior Sri Lankan government officials and key economic stakeholders, offering an opportunity to review the status of IMF-backed reforms and explore avenues for deeper cooperation.
