The arrival of Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, has underscored renewed international confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and its ongoing rebuilding efforts following recent cyclone damage.
Georgieva arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday, where she was welcomed by Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando and senior government officials. Her visit combines disaster-recovery assessment with a high-level economic mission aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s reform momentum.
During her stay, the IMF chief is scheduled to visit cyclone-affected communities in Gampola and hold a series of high-level discussions in Colombo with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, and Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe. The talks are expected to focus on expanding IMF support for reconstruction while reinforcing policy reforms designed to enhance economic resilience.
In a message shared shortly after her arrival, Georgieva expressed solidarity with communities recovering from the cyclone, noting that the Fund “has been standing by Sri Lanka since the disaster and will continue to do so.” She also highlighted the country’s resilience, expressing hope that brighter economic prospects will follow the recent hardships.
Ahead of the visit, Georgieva praised Sri Lanka’s economic turnaround since 2023, pointing to steady growth, stabilised inflation, improved foreign reserves, and tax revenues surpassing expectations. She commended key structural reforms—including the new Central Bank Act and governance-focused initiatives—describing them as critical steps toward restoring debt sustainability and unlocking broader international support.
While acknowledging that the reform journey is ongoing, she emphasised that Sri Lanka is “definitely on the path to success,” adding that sustained commitment to reform policies and the continued building of economic buffers will be essential to securing long-term stability.
The visit is widely seen as both a symbol of international confidence and a strategic opportunity for Sri Lanka to deepen partnerships that support reconstruction, strengthen institutions, and maintain the momentum of its economic revival.
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