IMF releases $ 164 m for SL under EFF

• Executive Board completes Sixth Review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Arrangement under Extended Fund Facility

• Latest release brings total to $ 1.31 b

• Grants waiver of non‑observance for end‑June 2019 performance criterion on primary balance

• Says sustaining policy discipline remains critical to strengthen resilience, support strong and inclusive growth

• Mobilising revenue will be central to place public debt on a downward path while preserving space for social and investment spending
  
   

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday completed the sixth review of Sri Lanka’s economic performance under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and approved the release of $ 164 million, bringing the total support so far to $ 1.31 billion.   

This is following the IMF the granting of a waiver of non‑observance for the end‑June 2019 performance criterion on the primary balance.

Sri Lanka’s extended arrangement was approved on June 3, 2016, in the amount of about SDR 1.1 billion ($ 1.5 billion, or 185% of quota in the IMF at that time of approval of the arrangement. On 13 May, the Executive Board approved an extension of the arrangement by one additional year, until 2 June 2020, with rephasing of remaining disbursements.

Following the Executive Board’s discussion of the review, IMF Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair Mitsuhiro Furusawa said: “The Sri Lankan economy is gradually recovering from the impact of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. Growth is projected to strengthen to 3.5% in 2020, from 2.7% in 2019, as tourist arrivals and related activities gradually recover.”

“Sustaining fiscal policy discipline remains critical to strengthen resilience and support growth, as important downside risks remain, amid heightened external and domestic uncertainty,” he added. 

“The authorities are taking actions to mitigate the revenue shortfalls caused by the terrorist attacks and preserve the hard-won gains made under the program. Sustained efforts to mobilise revenues will be needed in 2020 to place public debt on a downward path, while preserving space for critical social and investment spending.

 The new fiscal rule framework and the establishment of an independent public debt management agency over the medium term will help anchor public debt sustainability. Advancing SOE reforms in the electricity sector will also be critical to reduce fiscal risks.

“The Central Bank of Sri Lanka should maintain a data dependent monetary policy. The new Central Bank Act will be a milestone reform towards the adoption of flexible inflation targeting. Efforts to build reserves should be sustained to protect the economy against shocks, allowing for exchange rate flexibility in the event of market pressures.

“Sri Lanka has made important progress in strengthening the AML/CFT regime. Harmonising regulation and supervision of financial institutions, strengthening the macroprudential policy framework, and upgrading the contingency framework will help to safeguard financial stability.

“Further progress in the structural reform agenda is essential to bolster competitiveness and achieve stronger and inclusive growth. Efforts should focus on liberalising trade, by gradually removing para tariffs while addressing their revenue impact, strengthening the governance and anti-corruption framework, promoting women’s economic empowerment, building climate resilience and enhancing social protection.”