President briefs IMF delegation on war-driven external challenges
03-Apr-2026.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake briefed the International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation on government measures taken to manage the impact of rising fuel prices and disruptions to energy supply caused by the ongoing war situation in the Middle East.
The IMF delegation met the President at the Presidential Secretariat on April 2 to discuss the ongoing economic reform programme being implemented in Sri Lanka and the progress achieved so far under the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF).
During the meeting, attention was drawn to the current status of the fifth and sixth reviews of the EFF programme, while views were exchanged on recent economic developments and progress made.
The IMF delegation commended the economic progress achieved under the present government, noting in particular that through achieving growth targets, managing revenue effectively, and strengthening foreign reserves, Sri Lanka’s economy has become more resilient compared to the previous period.
Discussions also focused on sustaining the economic stability achieved and the approach to be adopted in working with the IMF programme in the coming period.
The President highlighted that despite external challenges arising from the Middle East conflict, the government has implemented necessary strategies to manage the impact on fuel prices and energy supply, while stressing the importance of taking all possible measures to minimise hardships faced by the public.
The IMF delegation also commended the government’s efforts to safeguard economic growth and manage livelihoods and the economy effectively, even amid these external challenges.
IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Evan Papageorgiou and other officials participated in the meeting. Representing the Sri Lankan government were Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Central Bank Governor Dr P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Senior Economic Adviser to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa, among others.
