IMF Expresses Solidarity with Sri Lanka After Cyclone Ditwah, Reaffirms Support for Reform Programme
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed strong solidarity with Sri Lanka following the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah, while reaffirming confidence in the country’s ongoing economic reform and governance agenda.
The remarks were made during a discussion between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and IMF representatives at the Presidential Secretariat. The meeting focused on the forthcoming review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement with the IMF.
The discussion followed an IMF mission visit to Sri Lanka from January 22 to 28, during which officials assessed the economic damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah and its implications for the ongoing Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme.
Commenting on the visit, IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Krishna Srinivasan said the mission marked a notable shift from past engagements, as IMF officials travelled outside Colombo to observe conditions on the ground.
“This is my fourth visit to Sri Lanka, and for the first time I spent two days in areas outside Colombo,” Srinivasan said. He highlighted three key observations from the visit.
Firstly, he described Sri Lanka as a country with immense natural beauty and significant long-term economic and social potential.
Secondly, he said the delegation directly witnessed the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, including extensive flooding and damage to vital infrastructure. “In many areas, I saw flooding and roads in need of repair. Our sympathies are with the people of Sri Lanka for the lives lost and the suffering caused by the disaster,” he said.
Thirdly, Srinivasan noted strong public appreciation for the Government’s actions, particularly in relation to governance reforms. “In discussions with communities, there was clear appreciation for what the Government has done, especially in strengthening governance,” he said, adding that such insights were especially valuable as IMF missions are usually confined to Colombo-based meetings.
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