President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued a Gazette notification permitting the import of alternative rice varieties to address the shortage of Samba and Kiri Samba in the local market.

Cabinet Spokesman Dr Nalinda Jayatissa on Tuesday (31) said approval had been granted for each importer to bring in up to 1,040 metric tonnes of GR 11 rice, including Ponni Samba and Kiri (Paal) Ponni varieties, as a temporary measure.

According to the Gazette notification, importers are permitted to import the rice stocks between 01 April and 30 April, while clearance from Sri Lanka Customs must be obtained by 31 May.

Importers have also been exempted from obtaining import control licences for the purpose, the notification said.

The decision follows warnings from the Consumer Affairs Authority, citing updated data from the Department of Agriculture Sri Lanka, that production of Samba and Kiri Samba rice during the 2025/26 Maha season would not be sufficient to meet domestic demand.

Officials cautioned that a severe shortage of the two rice varieties could emerge by May 2026.

The Food Policy and Security Committee had also stressed the need to stabilise market prices and meet consumer demand through the import of substitute rice varieties.

A visiting delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat on Thursday (02) to discuss Sri Lanka’s ongoing economic reform programme and progress under the IMF-supported Extended Fund Facility.

During the discussions, attention was drawn to the current status of Sri Lanka in relation to the fifth and sixth review of the IMF programme, with the IMF delegation engaging the President on recent developments and progress achieved.

The IMF representatives commended the economic progress achieved by Sri Lanka under the present Government, particularly noting that the country has transitioned towards a more resilient economic footing through the achievement of growth targets, improved revenue management and the strengthening of foreign reserves.

Discussions also focused on how Sri Lanka could continue to advance within the IMF programme without undermining the economic stability that has been established thus far. It was further noted that the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East poses an external challenge, the impact of which on Sri Lanka cannot be entirely avoided. However, the Government has been managing the situation prudently, taking measured decisions to address pressures on fuel prices and the energy sector, while ensuring that targeted relief is provided to vulnerable groups.

In the face of these external challenges, the IMF delegation also appreciated the Government’s programme aimed at safeguarding economic progress while effectively managing both the economy and the livelihoods of the people.

Responding to the IMF’s observations, President Dissanayake stated that Sri Lanka has met all targets set under the programme and has reached a position of relative stability. He highlighted the need to take all necessary measures to minimise the impact on the public.

The IMF delegation was led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou and comprised Martha Woldemichael, Enrique Flores Curiel, Dinar Prihardini, Ursula Wiriadinata, Ozlem Aydin, Yorbol Yakhshilikov, Klakow Akepanidtaworn and Manavee Abeyawickrama.

The discussions were attended by senior Sri Lankan officials including P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, S. Jegajeevan from the CBSL, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma – Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, A. K. Seneviratne – Deputy Secretary to the Treasury and M. K. C. Senanayake – Director General (Fiscal Policy). Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando also participated in the meeting.

Senior officials from the Presidential Secretariat, including Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Economic Advisor to the President, and G. M. R. D. Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, were also present.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation held discussions with Party Leaders in Parliament on Sri Lanka’s current economic landscape, including post-cyclone recovery challenges and global economic uncertainties, as the country prepares for the upcoming fifth and sixth review of its reform programme, Parliament media Division said yesterday

The delegation, led by Evan Papageorgiou, Deputy Division Chief of the International Monetary Fund, met with parliamentary leaders during a session presided over by Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih. Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Dilith Jayaweera, M. L. A. M. Hizbullah and Ramanathan Archchuna were among those present.

The discussions centred on key economic concerns, including tariff adjustments, inflation management, pressures on the external sector and the need to sustain structural reforms to ensure long-term macroeconomic stability.

Earlier, the IMF delegation also met with Speaker of Parliament Jagath Wickramaratne and the Deputy Speaker as part of consultations ahead of the IMF’s fifth and sixth review mission to Sri Lanka, scheduled from March 26 to April 8.

During the meeting, Speaker Dr. Wickramaratne expressed appreciation for the continued support extended by the IMF during Sri Lanka’s economic recovery process. He said the Tenth Parliament represented a strong and inclusive legislature, holding a two-thirds majority and reflecting the country’s diversity, including representation for the disabled community.

The Speaker reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility programme and stressed the importance of maintaining sound monetary and fiscal policies.

He also highlighted recent legislative measures, including the Public Financial Management Act and the Anti-Corruption Act, noting that they were central to strengthening fiscal discipline, improving governance and enhancing public financial transparency.

Special emphasis was placed on strengthening mechanisms to combat bribery and corruption while ensuring greater accountability in public finance management.

Dr. Wickramaratne also outlined plans to establish a Parliamentary Study Centre aimed at enhancing the capacity of Members of Parliament and local government representatives and sought IMF support for capacity-building initiatives.

Mr. Papageorgiou said Sri Lanka’s performance under the Extended Fund Facility programme remained strong and noted that the country was on a positive economic trajectory.

He underscored the critical role played by Parliament as the guardian of legislation and policy oversight and encouraged continued parliamentary support to sustain the reform momentum.

The discussions also touched on the possible economic impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East, as well as relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts following the recent Cyclone Ditwah.

The IMF delegation also participated in a guided tour of Parliament during the visit.

Assistant Secretary-General Hansa Abeyratne, along with a group of parliamentary officials, was also present at the meetings.