AI SUMMARY GENERATED ONLY FROM THIS ARTICLE'S TEXT.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced its Executive Board has completed the third review under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the authorities to draw SDR 254 million (about US$334 million).
This brings the total IMF financial support disbursed to SDR 1.02 billion (about US$1.34 billion).
IMF Deputy Managing Director Kenji Okamura issued a statement saying that reforms in Sri Lanka are bearing fruit and that the economic recovery has been remarkable. Inflation remains low, revenue collection is improving, and reserves continue to accumulate.
Economic growth has averaged 4.3 percent since growth resumed in the third quarter of 2023. By the end of 2024, Sri Lanka’s real GDP is estimated to have recovered 40 percent of its loss incurred between 2018 and 2023. The recovery is expected to continue in 2025.
" As the economy is still vulnerable, it is critical to sustain the reform momentum to ensure macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability and promote long-term inclusive growth. There is no room for policy errors," he said.
Comments - 32
Comments - IMF releases US$334mn to Sri Lanka
Jude Saturday, 01 March 2025 07:49 AM
This is not Free money, the funds given with strings attached.
624
BanduXX Saturday, 01 March 2025 09:58 AM
But the strings or really they are conditions like for any loan, are to sustain the reform momentum to ensure macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability and promote long-term inclusive growth. These strings (hoppers) are palatable for us to get out of our troubles.
119
PEOPLE KEEP PRAYING FOR THE GOVT AND ECONOMY ADVISORS TO HELP THE GOVT MAKE THE CORRECT DECISIONS GOING FORWARD. Saturday, 01 March 2025 08:40 AM
THANKS IMF EXECUTIVE BOARD, NOW IT IS UPTO THE ECONOMIC ADVISORS TO TAKE THE ADVICE AND RUN WITH IT AND LEAVE NO ROOM FOR POLICY ERRORS.
226
Terrence K Saturday, 01 March 2025 09:07 AM
Accolades should go to Ranil and his team for laying the foundation which was followed by Anura who should offer flowers to the erstwhile President. Studying the economic scene in Sri Lanka Ranil predicted during the Gotabaya period that the country will face a crisis and true to his word the country had to face many economic downturns. The public should also know that when we were desperate to run this economy with shortages in fuel etc. it was the team that introduced the QR code which was never thought by anyone in the past. Whilst all these were good being a front for MR and his clan was not in the best interests of the country. However, all this was done as he was a Lone Ranger needing support and he had to entertain devils. Now all this is history but when a man does good the public should appreciate irrespective of his deficiences!!!!!!
3663
Fairplay Saturday, 01 March 2025 10:02 AM
However, all this was done, by Ranil by printing money, robbing the CB to lose credibility, and taking excessive ISB to show growth and prosperity we did not have.
119
Ljaya Saturday, 01 March 2025 10:51 AM
Who should offer flowers to NPP government for disclosing wastage of public money for advisors, foreign travels, approving large sums of payments for MP's to build their houses by Ranil and his ministers.
1311
Felix Monday, 03 March 2025 11:36 AM
Then why is the IMF saying Sri Lanka should work according to OUR PLAN (IMF's Plan)? They don't say according to Ranil's plan.
01
Kikazaru Saturday, 01 March 2025 09:24 AM
Please consider the commission for the former President and Minister.
1213
Jude Saturday, 01 March 2025 09:26 AM
All successive governments rely on IMF world Bank and ADB handouts. The county leaders can't make Short term and long term plans to increase the GDP. This is a country that was self-sufficient in Rice, fisheries SALT and exporting desiccated coconut. We used to manufacture cement, Tyres, sugar, refrigerators and steel. Even we assembled cars(Upali Fiat) People what happened to all that. What really happened was governments started importing everything. Then the ministers and bunch of officials started making commissions and getting bribes.and rest is history.
131
Insider Saturday, 01 March 2025 10:07 AM
What really happened was governments started importing everything. Thanks to JRJ era.
Then the ministers and bunch of officials started making commissions and getting bribes. Chandrika Mahinda Ranil era….and rest is history.
37
Chris Saturday, 01 March 2025 10:14 AM
It was the JR regime that ruined us.
35
Raven Sunday, 02 March 2025 08:48 AM
If not for JR, we'd probably be in queues still.
12
Arunan Saturday, 01 March 2025 12:08 PM
You really want to know what happened to all that ? They throttled the necks of the North and East. They have left and are prosperous abroad. Hand over North and East with maximum devolution. The KKS Cement factory - machines were dismantled and taken to Galle, Paranthan chemical factory closed down, Ottisuddan tile factory abandoned, Valaichenai paper factory mothballed, no road and housing developments,Failed to upgrade Palaly airport 300 kilometres away from BIA, to improve economy, tourism, transport, eradicate unemployment. The racism will not and cannot be abolished in SL
21
Dilakshan Senevirathne Sunday, 02 March 2025 01:04 AM
All these demands have been fulfilled except full devolution which is not possible as we want to remain as one country and should not decide based on race or religion.
02
ණය අරගෙන රටක් පාලනය කරන්න ලැජ්ජා නැද්ද? ඊ.. යා! Saturday, 01 March 2025 09:54 AM
The current government is doing the same thing as the previous governments did. What happened to the so called "talks" they were boasting about IMF dealings?
04
RanjithT Saturday, 01 March 2025 10:11 AM
During election campaign NPP was vehemently blasting RW and IMF to please the gullible voters who took the bait line hook and sinker. For the last 4 months comrade did nothing but following the macroeconomic policies of IMF. Without any shame comrade and his blind followers still blame seeya.
AT LEAST ACCEPT THAT RWs CONTRIBUTION IN STABILIZING THE ECONOMY.
19
kandy man Saturday, 01 March 2025 10:19 AM
We are very happy since money will be well spent by this government.
62
A Concerned Citizen Saturday, 01 March 2025 11:39 AM
US$334 million is nothing for 22.0 million people compared to US$ 50.0 billion for a one family. NPP Government has not achieved anything. Either bring back US$ 50.0 billion from Uganda or where ever it is or NPP Government must resign immediately.
25
The good life Saturday, 01 March 2025 11:40 AM
Importing cars and taking more loans. 'Champagne lifestyle on a fanta budget' as the saying goes.
110
A Supporter of a Great Family Saturday, 01 March 2025 12:24 PM
US$ 334. 00 million for a whole country is nothing compared to US$ 50, 0000 million for one family. This family should be awarded a Gold Medal for its achievement.
03
Lakshman maddumahewa Saturday, 01 March 2025 01:17 PM
My congratulations for Former president Ranil Wickramsingha
29
A Supporter of NPP Saturday, 01 March 2025 01:27 PM
US$ 334.00 million is nothing what MR supposed to have robbed i,e US$ 50, 000 million. Central Bank Robbers lead by Anju Mahendran, Ravi and Ranil robbed more than that. If NPP can catch MR, Anju Mahendran, Ravi and Ranil, NPP Government can earn much more. NPP leaders have now conceded that NPP only fooled voters and they were not serious in claiming about robbery by previous politicians and even after 5 years they would not be able take any action. Now NPP government releases some travel expenses by previous Presidents just to keep voters happy.
23
Luxman Maddumahewa Monday, 03 March 2025 09:37 AM
Supporters of NPP are still living in their fake dreams of lies created to attract votes. Why no prosecution of so called corruption? 90% of what NPP told you were just lies. Rajapakshas have earned money through corruption but not to the extent claimed by NPP who can't prove anything.
01
Soori Maripalan Saturday, 01 March 2025 01:34 PM
Lets have parties like Myna and Pina! Several luxuray cars for family, overseas holidays for families etc! Let people suffer without medicine or food! Follow Pina!
23
Nihal S Saturday, 01 March 2025 01:51 PM
I hope the NPP Government will properly manage this release in a responsible way, not like money wasted by Ranil Wickramasinghe for his and his team including for their foreign visits.
24
Dr Tissa Fernando Monday, 03 March 2025 09:41 AM
Yes, they are importing cars with that money. Very responsible management. The rest if spent for NPP LG polls election campaign.
00
Punchi Sunday, 02 March 2025 05:44 AM
Not a cent of this IMF money is to be returned, IMF money is the protection Tax like the Jizya Tax historically paid by non Muslims to Muslims, in this instance a Tax or Tithe paid to our 2500 year civilisations religious institutions for conducting the religious ceremonies and other religious activities that has brought immense prosperity to the countries funding the IMF.
00
Chamila Sunday, 02 March 2025 06:56 AM
IMF connections since 1960s or 70s up to September 2024 were allergic to JVP, SLFP etc. and their fundamental policies that put up the dark tunnel they are in now. This country is in policy and leadership crisis but the people have to see the light from the other end of the tunnel, making use of cunning politics, deciphering correctly.
00
Cheers Sunday, 02 March 2025 02:53 PM
This puppet president anura kumara and the npp pacha government should be sent home as he openly accused former president Gotabaya saying we should not want leaders who take IMF loans and IMF should stop thos immediately not taking the stance of tamil and Muslim diaspora who wants to destroy sri lanka
00
Pusa Monday, 03 March 2025 04:24 AM
None of this matters if the government keeps wasting money on gov employee salaries
00
Rudra de Zoysa Tuesday, 04 March 2025 06:03 AM
The real credit goes to Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor. Other players are not worthy of even a token reference. Rudra
10
Cheers Sunday, 13 April 2025 07:13 AM
God bless sri lanka this government under anura kumara are massive looters no development so far ribbing the country and the people left right and centre and loans were not part of their election manifest and IMF you are putting sri lankan people in grave danger
00
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