Sri Lanka greets IMF Chief Georgieva

Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando welcomes International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva as she arrives with a delegation at Bandaranaike International Airport  

• Arrives in SL to back post-cyclone recovery and economic revival
• Scheduled to tour affected areas in Gampola and hold discussions in Colombo with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday on what is a landmark visit, combining urgent disaster assessment with a high-profile economic mission.

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

During her visit, Georgieva is scheduled to tour the affected areas in Gampola and hold discussions in Colombo with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and other key representatives to explore the ways the IMF can support Sri Lanka’s rebuilding and strengthen its economic resilience.

"I just arrived in Sri Lanka and I already feel the warmth and generosity this country is known for," she said in a video message on social shortly after her arrival. Noting that her visit comes at a time when many communities are recovering from the inapct of the cyclone Ditwah, Georgieva stressed the Fund has been standing by Sri Lanka since the disaster and will continue to do so. "There is a great saying in Sri Lanka, even after the heaviest monsoon the sun comes shining. And that is what I wish from my heart for the people of Sri Lanka," she said. Meanwhile, in an interview with our sister paper the Daily FT a day ahead of the visit Georgieva highlighted the progress under the IMF-supported programme since 2023, noting that the economy had rebounded strongly with 5 percent growth in 2024 and another estimated 5 percent in the first nine months of 2025, inflation stabilising near 2 percent, foreign reserves rebuilt and tax revenues exceeding the expectations. She also commended the reforms, including the new Central Bank Act and Sri Lanka’s pioneering Governance Diagnostic Assessment, describing them as “essential to restoring debt sustainability and unlocking further support from international partners”.

“While it is too soon to declare ‘mission accomplished’, Sri Lanka is definitely on the path to success,” she said. 

“With the government’s commitment to the programme objectives, the economic turnaround is irreversible and the IMF will continue to support this journey. Now is the time to continue building buffers and strengthening policies while progress is underway.” 

(SAA)

**The article was updated to include comments made by the IMF Chief on her arrival which was released after the story was sent to press**