IMF Chief arrives in Sri Lanka

Tuesday, 17 February 2026 03:22 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A special delegation led by International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday afternoon on a three-day official visit.

The delegation was received at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and other officials.

The delegation is visiting the country to assess the damage and impact caused by Cyclone Ditwah and is scheduled to visit Gampola today.

Dr. Georgieva and her team will later meet with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, and Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, along with other senior officials.

The President’s Media Division said that particular attention will be given to post-disaster recovery efforts and to the assistance the IMF can extend to support Sri Lanka’s restoration and the building of a stronger future for all Sri Lankans.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily FT published yesterday, the IMF Managing Director said IMF programs are designed to be flexible when circumstances change. “Sri Lanka’s arrangement with the IMF under the Extended Fund Facility is not rigid—it can and will be adapted to the new reality post-Ditwah,” she emphasised.

With the Government’s strong commitment to the program’s objectives, the IMF Managing Director stressed that economic turnaround is irreversible and progress will continue. “Sri Lanka can count on our support on this journey,” Dr. Georgieva said. “We are fully committed to helping Sri Lanka through the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah and to supporting the country’s broader goal of building a strong and prosperous economy,” she added.