An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation is set to visit Sri Lanka from March 26 to April 9 to conduct policy discussions, with the goal of completing the combined fifth and sixth reviews under the country’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.
This was confirmed by IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack during a media briefing held today (19).
She noted that Sri Lanka has made notable progress, with debt restructuring nearing completion and gross international reserves showing significant growth. However, she cautioned that the country remains highly vulnerable to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly through its impact on trade, remittances, and tourism, which could affect the economic outlook.
Kozack explained that during the upcoming visit, IMF officials will engage with Sri Lankan authorities to assess economic policies and evaluate the potential effects of the Middle East crisis. The mission is expected to produce an updated assessment of the country’s economy and determine how the IMF can continue to provide support.
A staff-level agreement for the fifth review was previously reached on October 9, 2025, outlining economic policy measures under Sri Lanka’s reform programme backed by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility.
Once approved by the IMF Executive Board, the review would unlock approximately US$347 million in financial assistance.
Authorities are also considering merging the fifth and sixth reviews due to the economic disruptions caused by Cyclone Ditwah and changes in global demand. The upcoming IMF visit is expected to further advance discussions on the sixth tranche of the programme.
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