The International Monetary Fund (IMF), on Thursday, signalled strong solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, confirming that it is actively exploring options to provide further support for recovery and resilience beyond the existing Extended Fund Facility (EFF).

Julie Kozack, Director of the IMF’s Communications Department, opened her remarks with heartfelt condolences:

“Our deepest sympathies go out to the people of Sri Lanka for the effects of the devastating cyclone. Our hearts mourn the loss of life that has taken place,” she said, extending condolences to other Asian nations also grappling with severe flooding, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

On Sri Lanka, Kozack emphasised that the IMF is closely engaging with authorities, development partners, and counterparts to assess the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the disaster.

“Large parts of Sri Lanka have been affected by floods, and we expect economic activity to be adversely impacted, in addition to the significant human toll,” she noted.

The IMF is awaiting the completion of a rapid post-disaster damage assessment, led by Sri Lankan authorities, in collaboration with international partners, to better gauge the economic impact.

“We are continuing to support Sri Lanka’s recovery, reform, and resilience under the EFF arrangement. Our staff is looking into options to further support Sri Lanka in the recovery process,” Kozack confirmed.

She reiterated that the Board meeting, scheduled for 15 December, remains on track, following the staff-level agreement on the fifth review reached in October—prior to the cyclone.

“We will provide additional details as the assessment of economic needs and damages moves forward, and as we have more information to inform our thinking around the options,” she added.

Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List Member of Parliament before Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (05).

His appointment follows the resignation of SJB Parliamentarian Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Mohamed, who stepped down from his position on 28 November.

The SJB subsequently nominated Thahir to fill the resulting vacancy.

Accordingly, the Election Commission issued a Gazette Extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament, in terms of Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.

With the issuance of the gazette, and the subsequent swearing-in, Thahir has officially assumed duties as a National List MP, representing the SJB.

A joint programme by the Ministry of Finance and commercial banks to provide loan facilities for new entrepreneurs will be launched in January next year, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunneththi, told Parliament’s Ministerial Consultative Committee on 25 November.

Handunneththi said Rs 80 billion allocated in Budget 2026 for entrepreneurship loans will be channelled through the new scheme to ensure funds are distributed efficiently. A separate programme is scheduled for January to brief MPs on eligible sectors and the overall loan distribution process.

The Minister also announced the launch of a National Database for Industrialists, designed to consolidate information on all industrialists, under one system. Ministry officials told the Committee that promotional campaigns would be rolled out to encourage entrepreneurs to register, enabling easier access to government services.

Committee members also discussed the possibility of extending collateral-free loans to craftsmen registered with the National Crafts Council.

Officials from the National Paper Company Limited reported significant improvements in operations, saying monthly production at the mill had increased from 150–180 metric tons to 400 metric tons after rectifying earlier deficiencies.

Handunneththi further briefed the Committee on a new National Advisory Framework for issuing excavation permits, aimed at replacing the current ad hoc system with a more structured process. The framework is also expected to come into effect in January.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairperson of Committees Hemali Weerasekara, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, MPs, and officials from the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development.