An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team will visit Sri Lanka from March 23 to April 9, 2026, to hold discussions with authorities on the combined fifth and sixth reviews of the country’s reform programme under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
The visit was confirmed in a statement issued by IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Evan Papageorgiou.
According to the IMF, the discussions will focus on reviewing progress made under the ongoing reform programme, with the team expected to provide updates at the conclusion of the visit.
Earlier, IMF Director of Communications Julie Kozack stated that the mission will engage closely with Sri Lankan authorities to assess economic policies and progress toward completing the review.
She noted that the IMF team will also examine the potential impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on Sri Lanka’s economy.
Kozack said that once the mission concludes, the IMF will provide an updated assessment of Sri Lanka’s economic conditions and determine how best to continue supporting the country.
She also highlighted that the IMF Managing Director, who recently visited Sri Lanka, observed significant progress in the country’s reform programme.
Despite challenges such as the impact of Cyclone Ditwa, she said the resilience of the Sri Lankan people and their response to economic difficulties were notable.
On economic performance, Kozack said Sri Lanka recorded approximately 5 percent growth in 2025, while inflation stood at around 1.6 percent in February.
She also noted that debt restructuring is nearing completion and that gross international reserves have increased significantly.
However, she cautioned that Sri Lanka remains vulnerable to external shocks, particularly due to the Middle East conflict, which could affect trade, remittances and tourism.
The upcoming discussions will therefore also focus on assessing these external risks and determining the next steps to ensure continued economic stability under the IMF-supported programme.
