President Anura Kumara Disanayake held a highly productive virtual meeting with the Managing Director of the IMF, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, on Friday (07). The discussion focused on

President Anura Kumara Disanayake held a highly productive virtual meeting with the Managing Director of the IMF, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, yesterday (07). The discussion focused on further strengthening the partnership between Sri Lanka and the IMF as the country successfully reaches the halfway mark of its 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, which commenced in March 2023.

During the meeting, President Disanayake expressed his profound appreciation for the IMF’s continued support in recovering from the catastrophic economic crisis of 2022. He highlighted the significant progress Sri Lanka has made in implementing economic reforms, strengthening macroeconomic stability, supporting the vulnerable and improving governance. The President particularly appreciated the support of the Managing Director, the Senior Management, and the IMF staff during the debt restructuring process. He emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration to ensure the resilience of Sri Lanka’s economy amidst global economic uncertainties.

Ms. Georgieva congratulated the President for ensuring macroeconomic stability and completing the 3rd review under the EFF, as well as the successful completion of the bond exchange and most of the debt restructuring. The Managing Director commended Sri Lanka’s efforts in pursuing key reforms and reaffirmed the IMF’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic agenda. Ms. Georgieva underlined the importance of strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals with good governance frameworks, especially in the wake of high global uncertainties, slowing global growth, and rising global debt levels.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed his commitment to move forward with the IMF program while ensuring that the agreed-upon targets align with the aspirations of the Sri Lankan people, reflecting their strong democratic mandate. The President emphasized that the government remains dedicated to implementing the necessary mechanisms to uplift the underprivileged while prioritizing the strengthening of social welfare expenditures as a key policy focus. The President highlighted the government’s dedication to enhancing state-owned enterprises through improved governance and cost-recovery pricing, including for electricity. He also stressed the importance of securing foreign direct investment and support from multilateral partners to reduce debt vulnerabilities and promote sustainable and inclusive growth. President Disanayake reassured the IMF of the government’s commitment to successfully completing the remaining reviews under the EFF.

Looking ahead, Ms. Georgieva emphasized the need to persevere with the reform agenda under the program to decisively put Sri Lanka on the path to sustainable and equitable growth. She acknowledged that the journey to sustained recovery remains challenging, particularly given rapid global developments in technology and geopolitics. The Managing Director underscored the IMF’s
role as a steadfast partner of Sri Lanka and highlighted that the IMF stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s endeavors to foster inclusive growth, alleviate poverty, and enhance the quality of life for its people.

Both the President and the Managing Director agreed on the necessity of continued dialogue and cooperation to achieve sustained stability for Sri Lanka. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to work together towards a prosperous and sustainable future for Sri Lanka.

as the country successfully reaches the halfway mark of its 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, which commenced in March 2023.

During the meeting, President Disanayake expressed his profound appreciation for the IMF’s continued support in recovering from the catastrophic economic crisis of 2022. He highlighted the significant progress Sri Lanka has made in implementing economic reforms, strengthening macroeconomic stability, supporting the vulnerable and improving governance. The President particularly appreciated the support of the Managing Director, the Senior Management, and the IMF staff during the debt restructuring process. He emphasized the importance of ongoing collaboration to ensure the resilience of Sri Lanka’s economy amidst global economic uncertainties.

Ms. Georgieva congratulated the President for ensuring macroeconomic stability and completing the 3rd review under the EFF, as well as the successful completion of the bond exchange and most of the debt restructuring. The Managing Director commended Sri Lanka’s efforts in pursuing key reforms and reaffirmed the IMF’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic agenda. Ms. Georgieva underlined the importance of strengthening macroeconomic fundamentals with good governance frameworks, especially in the wake of high global uncertainties, slowing global growth, and rising global debt levels.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reaffirmed his commitment to move forward with the IMF program while ensuring that the agreed-upon targets align with the aspirations of the Sri Lankan people, reflecting their strong democratic mandate. The President emphasized that the government remains dedicated to implementing the necessary mechanisms to uplift the underprivileged while prioritizing the strengthening of social welfare expenditures as a key policy focus. The President highlighted the government’s dedication to enhancing state-owned enterprises through improved governance and cost-recovery pricing, including for electricity. He also stressed the importance of securing foreign direct investment and support from multilateral partners to reduce debt vulnerabilities and promote sustainable and inclusive growth. President Disanayake reassured the IMF of the government’s commitment to successfully completing the remaining reviews under the EFF.

Looking ahead, Ms. Georgieva emphasized the need to persevere with the reform agenda under the program to decisively put Sri Lanka on the path to sustainable and equitable growth. She acknowledged that the journey to sustained recovery remains challenging, particularly given rapid global developments in technology and geopolitics. The Managing Director underscored the IMF’s
role as a steadfast partner of Sri Lanka and highlighted that the IMF stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s endeavors to foster inclusive growth, alleviate poverty, and enhance the quality of life for its people.

Both the President and the Managing Director agreed on the necessity of continued dialogue and cooperation to achieve sustained stability for Sri Lanka. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to work together towards a prosperous and sustainable future for Sri Lanka.

[PMD]

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in her International Womens Day message said that “it is a  time to come together—not just to celebrate the progress we have made, but to confront the deep structural inequalities as well as misogynistic ideologies that continue to shape the lives of women, in all their diversity—not only in Sri Lanka but all over the world.

The full text of the Prime Ministers message:

“Today, as we mark International Women’s Day, we stand at a crucial moment in history. This is  a  time to come together—not just to celebrate the progress we have made, but to confront the deep structural inequalities as well as misogynistic ideologies that continue to shape the lives of women, in all their diversity—not only in Sri Lanka but all over the world.

Gender-based violence, economic hardship, and political exclusion disproportionately affect women—particularly those from rural communities, war-affected regions, plantations, and the informal labour sector. No woman is safe until every single woman is safe. We must commit to protecting one another, ensuring that no one is left behind, and that the rights and safety of every woman are upheld. Women make up 52% of our population, and we received universal franchise in 1931. At the last election we were able to significantly increase the number of women in parliament. While we celebrate that we need to acknowledge that it is still too low. Our democracy is incomplete when a significant portion of our citizens is excluded from leadership and decision-making. At a time when Sri Lanka is navigating economic recovery, climate change, digital transformation, and democratic challenges, we cannot afford to side-line half of our population. Women’s voices, leadership, and agency are essential to overcoming these challenges and building a resilient future for all.

Feminist movements have long shown us that change is possible—but only when we challenge the status quo and demand systemic transformation. As the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to advancing policies that center the rights and agency of women and girls. This IWD, let us commit to transformative action—not just in words, but through gender-sensitive policies, budgets, and the lived experiences of all women and marginalized communities.

When women thrive, communities thrive. When women lead, nations transform. This International Women’s Day, let’s unite and move beyond words. Let’s commit to real, lasting change—for the generations before us, for those fighting today, and for those who will come after”.

Dr. Harini Amarasuriya
Prime Minister
Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
08th March 2025

President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasised the necessity of transforming the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) into a significant contributor to the national economy through efficient and productive investments.

The President made these remarks during a discussion held on Friday (07) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials of the SLIC.

The meeting included a comprehensive review of the corporation’s current operations. The President emphasized that any financial losses incurred by SLIC would directly impact the public who have invested in it. The President, therefore, stressed the need for comprehensive management practices to enhance profitability and ensure its sustainability as a state-owned enterprise.

The discussion was attended by SLIC Chairman Nusith Kumaratunga, members of the Board of Directors, and senior officials.

[PMD]