The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that Sri Lanka is expected to receive rapid access to approximately USD 350 million, representing the sixth tranche of the Extended Fund Facility, within two weeks.
This was revealed by an IMF representative during a high-level donor forum held yesterday at the Finance Ministry.
The Ministry of Finance convened the forum to bring together diplomatic missions, bilateral and multilateral development partners, and international lending agencies to assess the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah and coordinate national relief, rescue, and restoration efforts.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Governor of the Central Bank and the Secretary to the Treasury, and attended by senior government officials including Senior Economic Adviser to the President Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration Aloka Bandara, as well as representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Disaster Management Centre, and Treasury Departments.
The President’s Media Division (PMD) stated that development partners reaffirmed their strong commitment to support Sri Lanka during this critical period.
The Secretary to the Treasury presented an overview of the extensive cyclone damage across all sectors, highlighting the government’s goal to transition from emergency response to a long-term recovery framework. He stressed the urgent need for development assistance from bilateral and multilateral partners, including rapid humanitarian support such as food supplies, grants, concessional financing, and short- to medium-term aid.
The Central Bank Governor emphasised the importance of external financial support, citing the constraints posed by contracting economic sectors and limited domestic borrowing capacity.
Government authorities also urged development partners to encourage international engagement and promote travel to Sri Lanka to help revive the tourism sector.
Several development and donor partners pledged immediate assistance, including disaster relief missions, emergency services, and essential humanitarian supplies such as food, clean drinking water, hygiene kits, medical supplies, and emergency healthcare to stabilise affected communities and prevent disease outbreaks. Some countries have already deployed disaster relief and humanitarian teams on the ground.
Partners also agreed to repurpose and redesign existing loan facilities to support medium-term rehabilitation of damaged economic and social infrastructure, including major roads, bridges, irrigation systems, and transport networks. They further explored options for new loan and grant packages to address long-term development needs.
The World Bank has initiated a rapid post-disaster assessment, while development partners held detailed discussions on a comprehensive damage and needs assessment covering housing, infrastructure, agriculture, and services to mobilise funding for medium- and long-term recovery.
