Politics

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, began her official visit to Sri Lanka by touring areas hit by Cyclone Ditwah. She looked at the damage and spoke with people affected by the cyclone to help with recovery and building long-term strength. Today, she visited Mawathura village in the Udapalatha Divisional Secretariat Division, which was hard hit by the disaster. During her visit, Georgieva saw the site of a landslide caused by the cyclone and talked with survivors. She expressed her heartfelt sympathy and support for the families impacted. Georgieva also praised the Government for its quick and organized response to the disaster and acknowledged the bravery and resilience of the local communities. While addressing children in the village, she highlighted the importance of empowering youth and expressed hope that they would become responsible citizens who contribute positively to Sri Lanka's future, with ongoing support from the government. Earlier, she visited other areas affected by the cyclone in Gampola, where she observed the recovery efforts and emphasized the need to boost economic activity in the regions, including enhancing housing and job opportunities for sustainable recovery. She pointed out that Sri Lanka's current reform efforts and commitment to good governance offer a valuable chance to speed up economic recovery and promote long-term growth. The visit to Mawathura village included Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; Governor of the Central Province, Professor Sarath Abeykoon; Secretary to the Treasury, Harshana Suriyapperuma; and Chief Secretary of the Central Province, G. H. M. Premasinghe. Kristalina Georgieva is in Sri Lanka for a three-day official visit from February 16 to 18, 2026, to reaffirm the IMF's support for the country's economic recovery and disaster response efforts.