By Ajith Siriwardana   

A high-level delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday held discussions with the economic team of the government where they reviewed the IMF programme thus far and discussed the way forward for future collaboration, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.    The PMD said the IMF delegation arrived in Sri Lanka to engage with the newly formed government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.    A statement issued by the PMD said that the primary objective of the visit was to initiate discussions on the progress of the IMF programme and necessary steps towards the release of the fourth tranche of the USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility. 

• Discusses the way forward for future collaboration   

 “The meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat, featured cordial discussions between the IMF delegation and the economic team of the new government. Both parties reviewed the IMF programme thus far and outlined the way forward for future collaboration,” the PMD said.   

The IMF delegation expressed appreciation for the significant changes taking place in Sri Lanka, boosting the positive outlook on Sri Lanka under the present government, the PMD added.   

The IMF team included Senior Mission Chief Dr. Peter Breuer, Resident Representative Dr. Sarwat Jahan and Economist Manavee Abeyawickrama.   

Key members of the Economic Policy Council, including Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Chair of the Economic Policy Council and Senior Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs and Finance Prof. Anil Jayantha, Sunil Handunnetti, Prof. Seetha Bandara Ranathunga, Sunil Gamage, Senior Advisor to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa, Nandasiri Kihimbiyahetti, Prof. O.G. Dayaratne Banda and Amarasena Athukorala represented the government.