President-IMF delegation discuss fifth and sixth review under EFF programme

A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on October 2nd. They discussed the ongoing economic reform program in Sri Lanka and its progress under the IMF's Extended Fund Facility. According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), the talks covered the current state of Sri Lanka regarding the fifth and sixth reviews of the IMF program. The IMF representatives engaged with the President about recent developments and achievements. The IMF officials praised the economic progress Sri Lanka has made under the current government. They noted that the country is becoming more resilient, having met growth targets, improved revenue management, and strengthened foreign reserves. The discussions also included how Sri Lanka can continue advancing within the IMF program while maintaining the economic stability it has achieved so far. Additionally, the delegation pointed out that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East presents an external challenge that Sri Lanka cannot completely avoid. Nonetheless, the government is handling the situation wisely, making careful decisions to manage fuel prices and the energy sector, and providing targeted relief to vulnerable populations, as stated by the PMD. In light of these external challenges, the IMF delegation recognized the government's efforts to protect economic progress while managing both the economy and the livelihoods of its citizens. In response to the IMF's comments, President Dissanayake mentioned that Sri Lanka has fulfilled all the targets set by the program and has achieved a level of relative stability. He emphasized the importance of taking all necessary actions to reduce the impact on the public, according to the PMD. The IMF team was led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou and included members Martha Woldemichael, Enrique Flores Curiel, Dinar Prihardini, Ursula Wiriadinata, Ozlem Aydin, Yorbol Yakhshilikov, Klakow Akepanidtaworn, and Manavee Abeyawickrama. Senior Sri Lankan officials in attendance included P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, S. Jegajeevan from the CBSL, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, A. K. Seneviratne, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, and M. K. C. Senanayake, Director General (Fiscal Policy). Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando also took part in the meeting, along with senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat, such as Duminda Hulangamuwa and G. M. R. D. Aponsu.