President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated today that Sri Lanka intends to make the current Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) the final such programme the country will undertake.
Delivering the keynote address at the international conference ‘Sri Lanka’s Road to Recovery: Debt and Governance’ in Colombo, the President emphasized the government’s commitment to building a stable and self-reliant economy by 2028.
He said the country aims to achieve sufficient economic growth to service its debt independently, thereby eliminating the need for future IMF support.
“A state cannot maintain sovereignty when its economy has collapsed, and a nation cannot retain independence when its economy is in ruins,” he said, adding that Sri Lanka has already lost a degree of its sovereignty due to the crisis.
President Dissanayake underscored the importance of restoring national sovereignty and economic self-reliance through collective effort, calling on political leaders, public officials, and citizens to work together toward this mission.
He expressed gratitude to the IMF for its continued support and acknowledged the patience and resilience of the Sri Lankan people, especially those who have felt the burden of economic reforms.
