IMF reviews Sri Lanka’s progress as President sets out Next Economic Goal

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has said the government aims to build on Sri Lanka’s economic stability to transform the economy and improve living standards, as an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation conducts its seventh review of the country’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.

The President made the remarks during a meeting with an IMF delegation led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday (17).

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Dissanayake said recent economic indicators demonstrate that Sri Lanka is moving towards stability, providing a foundation for the next phase of economic development.

He emphasised that the government’s objective is to ensure that the benefits of economic recovery translate into improved living standards for the public.

The President also highlighted Sri Lanka’s economic growth of 4.2% in the second quarter of 2026, describing it as an important indication of the country’s recovery.

He said the IMF-supported programme had played a significant role in establishing economic stability, enabling Sri Lanka to withstand the economic consequences of Cyclone Ditwah and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Dissanayake also referred to the government’s tax revenue collection performance over the past two years and reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the economic stability achieved with IMF assistance.

Meanwhile, IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou commended Sri Lanka’s economic progress, including improvements in government revenue, fiscal discipline and foreign investment, according to the PMD.

He stressed the importance of maintaining economic stability as the country moves towards 2027 and beyond.

The IMF delegation also acknowledged progress in implementing the social welfare benefit programme, a key component of the IMF-supported reforms.

The meeting further addressed the difficulties faced by the public due to rising energy costs resulting from the conflict in the Middle East.

The IMF delegation is in Sri Lanka from September 10 to 23 to conduct the seventh review of the EFF programme and the 2026 Article IV Consultation.

Central Bank Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and Senior Economic Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa were among the Sri Lankan officials who attended the meeting. (Newswire)

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