News
IMF releases nearly USD 700 mn with immediate effect
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board has completed the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews under Sri Lanka’s 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF), enabling the country to immediately access SDR 508 million (approximately US$ 695 million) to support ongoing economic reforms and policy measures.
The latest disbursement represents the sixth and seventh tranches received by Sri Lanka under the IMF-EFF programme.
With the release of the latest funds, total financial assistance disbursed to Sri Lanka under the facility has risen to SDR 1.778 billion (around US$ 2.4 billion), the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has said in a statement.
The CBSL has noted that Sri Lanka’s performance under the IMF-supported programme has been “generally strong,” adding that prior actions relating to restoring cost-recovery pricing for fuel and electricity have been successfully completed.
However, the IMF has observed that the continuous performance criteria on avoiding new external payment arrears and refraining from imposing or intensifying import restrictions have not been met.
Despite this, all end-December 2025 quantitative performance criteria had been achieved, while most structural benchmarks were either completed on time or implemented with delays, the statement said.
The Central Bank has further noted that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah posed downside risks to the economy. Nevertheless, it has said the economy is expected to remain resilient due to the gains achieved through the reform programme.
According to the statement, the progress made under the IMF-backed reforms has enabled authorities to respond swiftly with policy measures aimed at supporting the economy and protecting vulnerable groups.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has announced a reduction in the prices of Petrol 92 and Petrol 95, effective from midnight today (30).
The price of Petrol 92 has been reduced by Rs. 15 per litre, from Rs. 414 to Rs. 399 while the price of Petrol 95 Octane has been reduced by Rs. 20 per litre, from Rs. 495 to Rs. 475
There will be no change in the prices of diesel, Super Diesel and kerosene under the latest revision.
The book “Rathuwewi Mihimadala”, written based on the life story of Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Leader of the Democratic Left Front, was launched on Friday [August 28] at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Speaking to the media afterwards about Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
“Vasudeva Nanayakkara is a prominent figure in Sri Lankan politics, particularly within the left-wing political movement. There were several influential figures within the left movement, and that left-wing influence also contributed to bringing the country to where it is today. Politically, there were areas where we agreed and areas where we did not. However, I have great respect for the contribution made by Vasudeva Nanayakkara to left-wing politics. When I entered Parliament in 2020, Vasudeva Nanayakkara was also in Parliament. We sat in the same row, and we spoke about many important as well as interesting moments in his political career. I believe some of these experiences have also been included in this book.”
The event was attended by members of the Maha Sangha, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara, former President Maithripala Sirisena, former Speakers Karu Jayasuriya and Chamal Rajapaksa, as well as party members, family members and friends.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon today (30)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (30) are Mannar, Periyamadu, Puliyankulam, Welioya and
Pulmoddai about 12.11 noon.
Petrol to cost less from midnight today (30)
Head teacher evacuated 900 children minutes before school washed away by Nepal floods
UPDATE: Seven killed and 23 missing after boat capsizes off northern Cyprus, says Turkish Cypriot PM
Iceland votes against restarting talks on joining EU
“Rathuwewi Mihimadala” Book Launched with the Participation of the Prime Minister
Turkiye, Somalia forces free cargo vessel hijacked by pirates
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News6 days agoMissing doctor’s body found in Mahiyanganaya
-
News6 days agoAustralia declines to release Finance Secy Suriyapperuma’s citizenship details
-
News6 days ago22A: BASL suggests CJ recuse himself from hearing petitions
-
News3 days agoEight politicians in drug kingpin probe
-
Editorial7 days agoGovts. drag feet as undergrads age
-
Business3 days agoSri Lanka opens up: A new season of direct connectivity
-
Features5 days agoInsights from Chieftains of Uva: Genealogy of two Kandyan Families – Part II
-
Features3 days agoRedefining ageing in Sri Lanka