IMF extends funding programme until June 2020

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it had decided to extend the funding programme to Sri Lanka by an additional year which would mean until June 2020.

During a news briefing, IMF Communications Department Director Gerry Rice said, "On the substance of IMF help, we have a programme with Sri Lanka that is ongoing and indeed next week, our executive board would consider the request from the authorities to complete the fifth review under our programme. I think this is an important issue, to extend that programme by one additional year which would mean until June 2020. And that extension again is to be approved by our board, discussed and approved. The extension will provide additional time to the authorities to anchor macroeconomic stability and complete their reform agenda."