IMF Board Approves Sri Lanka’s Fifth & Sixth Reviews, Unlocks USD 695 Mn for Reforms

The International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board has completed the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility, unlocking immediate access to SDR 508 million (approximately US$695 million) to bolster the country’s economic policies and reforms.

Performance under the program has been described as broadly strong. Key prior actions, including restoring fuel and electricity cost-recovery pricing, were successfully implemented. However, continuous performance criteria related to avoiding new external payment arrears and refraining from intensifying import restrictions were not observed. All quantitative performance targets for end-December 2025 were met, while most structural benchmarks were achieved, albeit with some delays.

Looking ahead, external shocks remain a concern. The ongoing war in the Middle East and the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah pose downside risks. Nonetheless, the IMF noted that Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to remain resilient. Hard-won gains from the reform program have enabled swift policy responses, helping to stabilize the economy and protect vulnerable communities.

Full Statement

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews of Sri Lanka’s economic reform program supported by the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement. Completion of the combined reviews provides SDR508 million (about US$695 million), bringing the total purchases under the arrangement to SDR1.778 billion (about US$2.4 billion).

The EFF arrangement for Sri Lanka was approved by the Executive Board on March 20, 2023 in an amount of SDR 2.286 billion (395 percent of quota or about US$3 billion). The arrangement supports Sri Lanka’s reform program to durably restore macroeconomic stability by (i) restoring fiscal and debt sustainability while protecting the vulnerable, (ii) safeguarding price and financial sector stability, (iii) rebuilding external buffers, (iv) strengthening governance and reducing corruption vulnerabilities, and (v) advancing growth-oriented structural reforms.

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Mr. Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:

“Sri Lanka’s strong implementation under the EFF arrangement has continued despite challenging circumstances. Gains from the economic reform program helped preserve economic resilience and provided room to respond to cyclone Ditwah and the Middle East war. The latter, however, has significantly worsened Sri Lanka’s economic outlook and tilted risks to the downside. For 2026, growth is projected to slow down to 3 percent. Higher oil prices would increase inflation and weaken the current account, which would also be adversely impacted by lower tourism receipts. The uncertainty, regarding the war’s intensity and duration, heightens risks to the outlook.

“Fiscal easing in 2026 is appropriate in response to the shocks, and the government is implementing a temporary relief package, while also allocating additional spending to support recovery and reconstruction following Cyclone Ditwah. From 2027 onward, the authorities are appropriately committed to reverting to the primary balance target of 2.3 percent of GDP, as well as complying with the primary expenditure ceiling.

“Program performance remains generally strong, but efforts are required to complete public financial and investment management, and electricity sector reforms. Sustained revenue mobilization is crucial to make the tax system more efficient and growth-enhancing and should be spearheaded by developing a medium-term revenue strategy. Debt restructuring is nearing completion, but debt sustainability risks remain high.

“Monetary policy should continue prioritizing price stability. Greater exchange rate flexibility and gradually phasing out the balance-of-payments measures remain critical to rebuild external buffers and resilience.

“Well-calibrated structural reforms and renewed public infrastructure are also needed to improve the investment climate and lift the growth potential.”