International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka next month to review the country’s economic reform programme and express solidarity following recent natural disasters, IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan said during a mission to the island.
Srinivasan, who is leading one of the largest IMF delegations to visit Sri Lanka, said the forthcoming visit aims to both acknowledge progress achieved under the IMF-supported programme and directly support communities affected by the disaster.
“She’ll be here both to look at the success of the programme and to express the solidarity we have with you,” Srinivasan told President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on January 28.
This visit marks Srinivasan’s fourth trip to Sri Lanka and his first outside Colombo. He spent two days in areas beyond the capital, describing the experience as giving him a “deeper, more human perspective” of the country.
“In many parts, I saw flooding. I saw roads which need to be repaired,” he said. “Our sympathies are with you and with the people of Sri Lanka for the lives lost and for the impact of the disaster.”
Srinivasan also noted strong public appreciation for the government’s reform efforts, particularly in the area of governance, during his interactions with local communities.
“There’s huge appreciation for what the government has done for the people,” he said.
He added that the regional IMF meeting in Sri Lanka, involving representatives from across Asia, had been planned months in advance. Although some suggested cancelling the event in the aftermath of the disaster, the decision was taken to proceed as a sign of support.
“We want to express our solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka,” Srinivasan said. “We are with you. Our full support is with you.”
