{ "title": "IMF Staff Concludes Visit to Sri Lanka", "publication": "IMF News, January 28, 2026", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit", "canonical": "https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit", "overlayPath": "/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.md", "summary": "An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Mr. Evan Papageorgiou visited Colombo from January 22 to 28 to hold discussions on the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Papageorgiou issued the following statement:", "publishDate": "2026-01-28", "sections": [ { "heading": "Mission overview", "content": "- IMF team led by Mr. Evan Papageorgiou visited Colombo from January 22 to 28.\n- Purpose: hold discussions on the impact of Cyclone Ditwah and related policy responses.\n- Press Release No. 26/022\n- Date of statement: January 28, 2026" }, { "heading": "Main discussion topics and preliminary findings", "content": "- The team engaged with authorities and stakeholders to understand:\n - the economic and social impact of the cyclone, including damage to infrastructure and loss of livelihoods.\n - the fiscal response to the natural disaster.\n - implications for monetary policy and financial sector stability.\n- Discussions included in-depth exchanges on:\n - the authorities’ policy intentions going forward.\n - their financing needs.\n - how the IMF can best support Sri Lanka’s recovery and reconstruction efforts under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement." }, { "heading": "Authorities’ stated commitments", "content": "- Safeguard gains achieved on fiscal and debt sustainability.\n- Strengthen public investment management including project reprioritization and implementation.\n- Ensure spending is executed transparently and in compliance with the Public Financial Management Act.\n- Continue strengthening social safety nets to protect the poor and vulnerable disproportionately affected by the cyclone." }, { "heading": "Next steps and IMF support", "content": "- Plan to field an IMF mission at the earliest possible juncture to resume discussions on economic policies for the next review under the EFF.\n- IMF reaffirmed solidarity with Sri Lanka and readiness to support the country in efforts to safeguard macroeconomic stability and promote resilience and sustainable growth." }, { "heading": "Meetings and stakeholders engaged", "content": "- Meetings held with:\n - His Excellency the President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake\n - The Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya\n - Honorable Labor Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando\n - Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe\n - Secretary to the Treasury Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma\n - Senior Economic Advisor to the President Mr. Duminda Hulangamuwa\n - Other senior government and CBSL officials\n - Representatives from the private sector, civil society organizations, and development partners\n- IMF team thanked the authorities for the excellent collaboration during the visit." }, { "heading": "IMF communications contact (as provided)", "content": "- IMF Communications Department\n- MEDIA RELATIONS\n- PRESS OFFICER: Randa Elnagar\n- Phone: +1 202 623-7100\n- Email: MEDIA@IMF.org\n- @IMFSpokesperson\n\nPress Release No. 26/022 — January 28, 2026 — International Monetary Fund\n\n---\n\n Content in this bundle\n\n- Press Release-English\n - Press Release-English (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n - Press Release-English (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n\n---\n\n References\n\n- Sri Lanka and the IMF\n- Press Releases\n- PRESS CENTER\n- https://www.imf.org/en/home\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit" } ], "bullets": [ "[Markdown version](/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.md)", "[Structured JSON version](/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.json)", "[Bundle manifest](/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit/bundle-manifest.json)", "Published: January 28, 2026", "IMF team led by Mr. Evan Papageorgiou visited Colombo from January 22 to 28.", "Purpose: hold discussions on the impact of Cyclone Ditwah and related policy responses.", "Press Release No. 26/022", "Date of statement: January 28, 2026", "The team engaged with authorities and stakeholders to understand:", "Discussions included in-depth exchanges on:", "Safeguard gains achieved on fiscal and debt sustainability.", "Strengthen public investment management including project reprioritization and implementation.", "Ensure spending is executed transparently and in compliance with the Public Financial Management Act.", "Continue strengthening social safety nets to protect the poor and vulnerable disproportionately affected by the cyclone.", "Plan to field an IMF mission at the earliest possible juncture to resume discussions on economic policies for the next review under the EFF.", "IMF reaffirmed solidarity with Sri Lanka and readiness to support the country in efforts to safeguard macroeconomic stability and promote resilience and sustainable growth.", "Meetings held with:", "IMF team thanked the authorities for the excellent collaboration during the visit.", "IMF Communications Department", "MEDIA RELATIONS", "PRESS OFFICER: Randa Elnagar", "Phone: +1 202 623-7100", "Email: MEDIA@IMF.org", "@IMFSpokesperson", "**Press Release-English**", "[Sri Lanka and the IMF](http://www.imf.org/external/country/LKA/index.htm)", "[Press Releases](https://www.imf.org/en/news/searchnews)", "[PRESS CENTER](http://presscenter.imf.org/)", "[https://www.imf.org/en/home](https://www.imf.org/en/home)" ], "related": [ { "title": "Press Release-English", "role": "document", "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/-/media/images/imf/news/press-release/20260127-sri-lanka-endofscopingmission-press-release-to-authorities-t.pdf", "summary": { "path": "/-/media/images/imf/news/press-release/20260127-sri-lanka-endofscopingmission-press-release-to-authorities-t.pdf.md", "mime": "text/markdown" }, "binary": { "path": "/-/media/images/imf/news/press-release/20260127-sri-lanka-endofscopingmission-press-release-to-authorities-t.pdf", "mime": "application/pdf" } } ], "alternates": { "markdown": "/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.md", "json": "/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit/index.json", "bundleManifest": "/en/news/articles/2026/01/27/pr-26022-sri-lanka-imf-staff-concludes-visit/bundle-manifest.json" }, "generatedAtUtc": "2026-09-26T04:24:33.049Z" }