While noting the repeated setbacks Sri Lanka has faced in recent years, Dr. Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director (MD) of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has expressed confidence that the country is poised to achieve higher growth, provided that necessary structural reforms are initiated and sustained.

The IMF Chief made this assertion during a meeting held with the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe at the Central Bank premises.

Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva visited the Central Bank yesterday as part of her official engagements while in Sri Lanka.

The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s IMF membership as well as the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s 75th anniversary.

At a meeting held at the Central Bank premises, Governor Weerasinghe expressed sincere gratitude to the IMF Chief and her team for the steadfast support provided under the current Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and for actively facilitating the completion of the debt restructuring process, helping the country recover from the unprecedented economic hardship.

Dr. Weerasinghe also expressed gratitude to the IMF for the extensive technical assistance provided across multiple areas, including monetary policy and modelling, macroprudential analysis, and financial sector policies.

Meanwhile, Managing Director Geogeiva recognised Sri Lanka’s performance under the current IMF programme as a success story.

The MD also acknowledged the Central Bank’s role in restoring macroeconomic stability following the economic crisis.

While noting the repeated setbacks Sri Lanka has faced in recent years, IMF Managing Director Dr. Kristalina Georgieva expressed confidence that the country is poised to achieve higher growth, provided that necessary structural reforms are initiated and sustained.