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☆ IMF is bullish Sri Lanka's crisis-stricken economy will recover as country gets bailout
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

We expect a contraction around 8% in 2022, a 3% contraction this year before the economy picks up next year." watch nowAs a result, Sri Lanka's debt levels have become unsustainable and inflation remains elevated, he added. "There are plenty of examples of IMF programs restoring stability, though these often come at the cost of painful austerity." Analysts have also argued Sri Lanka needs institutional reforms in order to achieve long-term debt sustainability. Critical reforms"Ambitious revenue-based fiscal consolidation is necessary for restoring fiscal and debt sustainability" in Sri Lanka, said Kistalina Georgieva, IMF's managing director.

☆ Wickremesinghe delivers IMF deal for Sri Lanka despite public mistrust
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Only 4% were satisfied with the way things were going in Sri Lanka, down from 7% in October but higher than 2% in June. The Paris Club of creditors, which includes Japan, earlier this year gave financing assurances to support the IMF deal. A Japan-funded $1.8 billion light-railway project, which was suspended in 2019, is among infrastructure projects that Sri Lanka is now trying to restart. But Sri Lanka still needs to renegotiate its debt, a potentially drawn-out process where Wickremesinghe, who is also the finance minister, will have to deal with demands from China, India and other creditors. A crisis-weary public may still have to absorb years of continuing hardship as Sri Lanka tries to fix its economy during the four-year IMF programme, warned Jayadeva Uyangoda, a senior political analyst.

☆ IMF approves nearly $3 bln bailout for Sri Lanka
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 20 (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Monday said its executive board approved a nearly $3 billion bailout for Sri Lanka, and the country's presidency said the program will enable it to access up to $7 billion in overall funding. The decision will allow an immediate disbursement of about $333 million, the IMF said, and will spur financial support from other partners, potentially helping Sri Lanka emerge from its worst financial crisis in over seven decades. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Sri Lanka also needs to undertake various reforms. "For Sri Lanka to overcome the crisis, swift and timely implementation of the EFF-supported program with strong ownership for the reforms is critical," Georgieva said in a statement. Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe's office said in a statement that the IMF program will help improve the country's standing in international capital markets, making it attractive for investors and tourists.

CNN —Sri Lanka on Monday secured a much-anticipated loan of about $3 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as the South Asian nation navigates its worst financial crisis in decades. The deal, nearly a year in the making, will aim to “restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability” and “unlock Sri Lanka’s growth potential,” the IMF said in a statement. In July last year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka is “bankrupt,” adding negotiations with the IMF were “difficult.”Monday’s loan approval will provide much-needed respite for the nation as it faces an uphill climb to revive its flailing economy. The IMF will immediately disburse an initial $333 million to Sri Lanka, with more funds to follow in the coming months. “For Sri Lanka to overcome the crisis, swift and timely implementation of the EFF-supported program with strong ownership for the reforms is critical,” IMF managing director Kristalina Georgieva said in a statement.

☆ Sri Lanka needs institutional changes for long-term debt sustainability, says professor
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Sumathi Bala | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Buddhika Weerasinghe | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesSri Lanka needs institutional reforms in order to achieve long-term debt sustainability, said Steve Hanke, who played a key role in establishing new currency regimes in emerging markets like Argentina and Montenegro. "In fact, most of the personalities involved in Sri Lanka at the high level are exactly the same as they've been for years. In September, the IMF outlined a series of steps that it wanted Sri Lanka's government to implement prior to loan approval, which included major tax reforms. "Debt relief from Sri Lanka's creditors and additional financing from multilateral partners will be required to help ensure debt sustainability and close financing gaps," the fund said at the time. "The Secretary welcomed Sri Lanka's commitments to transparency and comparable treatment for all bilateral official and private creditors."

☆ Sri Lanka to announce debt restructuring strategy in April - cenbank chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The bailout is the culmination of months of negotiations as Sri Lanka looks to emerge from its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades. Weerasinghe said the country would expedite negotiations with commercial creditors and announce the debt restructuring strategy in consultation with them, before finalising the debt restructuring terms. Currently, Sri Lanka has to repay about $6 billion annually until 2029, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament on Tuesday, but Weerasinghe said this amount will be reduced post-debt restructuring. Sri Lanka also has a $1.5 billion swap arrangement with China but that can only be used if domestic reserves support three months of imports. Weerasinghe also said that inflation is likely to come down faster than earlier forecast, even by the central bank.

[1/2] Sri Lankan rupees are seen in a bowl at a vegetable vendor's shop amid the rampant food inflation, amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 29 , 2022. China has extended its "firm support to Sri Lanka through a debt treatment", EXIM Bank wrote in the letter to the Sri Lankan government on March 6. "Meanwhile, we would like to expedite the negotiation process with your side regarding medium- and long-term debt treatment in this window period, with a view to finalising the specifics of a debt treatment in the coming months. We will make our best efforts to contribute to the debt sustainability of Sri Lanka." The letter mirrors what EXIM Bank sent to Sri Lanka in January, except for the target of finalising debt-treatment specifics in the coming months.

It was not clear what new support China, the world's biggest sovereign creditor, had extended to Sri Lanka on Monday. By end-2020, Sri Lanka owed the Export-Import Bank of China $2.83 billion or 3.5% of the island's external debt, according to IMF data. Sri Lanka needs to repay about $6 billion on average each year until 2029 and will have to keep engaging with the IMF, Wickremesinghe said. Countries in debt distress such as Zambia and Sri Lanka have faced unprecedented delays in securing IMF bailouts as China and Western economies have clashed over how to provide debt relief. Sri Lanka has been waiting for about 187 days to finalise a bailout after reaching a staff-level deal with the IMF.

☆ Sri Lanka expects approval of $2.9 billion IMF deal after China support
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Sri Lanka has completed all prior actions that were required by the IMF," Wickremesinghe said. It was not clear what new support China, the world's biggest sovereign creditor, extended to Sri Lanka on Monday. By end-2020, Sri Lanka owed the Export-Import Bank of China $2.83 billion or 3.5% of the island's external debt, according to IMF data. Sri Lanka needs to repay about $6 billion on average each year until 2029 and will have to keep engaging with the IMF, Wickremesinghe said. Sri Lanka has been waiting for about 187 days to finalise a bailout after reaching a staff-level deal with the IMF.

☆ Sri Lanka says 'positive news' coming from IMF on $2.9 bln package
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COLOMBO, March 7 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka is on the verge of getting "very positive news" from the International Monetary Fund on a $2.9 billion programme, a government minister said on Tuesday, while a senior source said it had also won debt restructuring support from China. The island nation of 22 million is struggling with its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades. "Sri Lanka is on the verge of getting very positive news from the IMF," the junior finance minister, Shehan Semasinghe, told parliament. "The IMF programme is essential for us and Sri Lanka has worked very hard since last September to secure it." A senior Sri Lankan government official said the Export-Import Bank of China had written to the IMF supporting Sri Lanka's debt restructuring programme, which is critical to securing final approval for the loan.

☆ With China's support, Sri Lanka expects nod for $2.9 bln IMF deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"Sri Lanka has completed all prior actions that were required by the IMF," Wickremesinghe said. It was not clear what new support China, the world's biggest sovereign creditor, extended to Sri Lanka on Monday. By end-2020, Sri Lanka owed the China EximBank $2.83 billion or 3.5% of the island's external debt, according to IMF data. Sri Lanka needs to repay about $6 billion on average each year until 2029 and will have to keep engaging with the IMF, Wickremesinghe added. Sri Lanka has been waiting for about 187 days to finalise a bailout after reaching a staff-level deal with the IMF.

Sri Lanka's finance ministry and India's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. He said China, Sri Lanka's biggest lender, extended support for the IMF programme on Monday, clearing the way for the loan. The IMF said its board would meet on March 20 to review a preliminary staff-level agreement first signed with Sri Lanka in September. It said Sri Lanka had secured financing assurances from all major bilateral creditors. China and India are Sri Lanka's biggest lenders and both seek influence on the island located on a busy shipping route on the Indian Ocean.

☆ Sri Lanka seen returning to growth by year-end, president says
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

COLOMBO, Feb 8 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's economy is expected to grow again from the end of this year and the government wants the country to exit bankruptcy by 2026, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament on Wednesday. Wickremesinghe said the government could turn around the economy if Sri Lankans tolerated high direct taxes for another six months. Wickremesinghe said the aim was to reduce inflation to single digits by the end of the year. Sri Lanka's key inflation rate, the Colombo Consumer Price Index (LKCCPI=ECI), eased to 54.2% in January from 57.2% in December. Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Raju GopalakrishnanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sri Lanka completing pre-requisites for IMF aid - President
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COLOMBO, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka is completing the pre-requisites to unlock a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and expects rapid approval from the global lender, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Saturday. "We are successfully completing the difficult stage required to get support from the International Monetary Fund. We expect to get their consent without delay," Wickremesinghe said in his address to the nation to mark the 75th Independence Day. Sri Lanka is currently focused on getting financing assurances from key bilateral creditors China and Japan. Sri Lanka's central bank estimates an economic turnaround in the second half of 2023 and inflation to reach single digits by the end of this year.

☆ Sri Lanka marks independence anniversary amid economic woes
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe attends the the country's 75th Independence Day celebrations at Galle Face Green in Colombo, Sri Lanka February 4, 2023. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lanka marked its 75th independence anniversary on Saturday as a bankrupt nation, with many citizens angry, anxious and in no mood to celebrate. Cyril Gamini called this year's ceremony commemorating independence from British rule a "crime and waste" at a time when the country is experiencing such economic hardship. Sri Lanka is effectively bankrupt and has suspended repayment of nearly $7 billion in foreign debt due this year pending the outcome of talks with the International Monetary Fund. A group of activists began a silent protest on Friday in the capital, condemning the government's independence celebration and failure to ease the economic burden.

☆ Sri Lanka economy could shrink by -3.5% to -4%, president says
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

COLOMBO, Jan 28 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's economy could contract by -3.5 or -4.0% in 2023 after shrinking -11% last year, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Saturday. "From 2024, we will take this economy to positive growth. Speaking at a religious event, he said: "The growth rate of the economy in 2022 was -11% and could be -3.5 or -4.0% this year." "No one can prevent the country from falling into crisis again similar to May and June last year," Wickremesinghe said. Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe; writing by Rupam Jain; editing by Jason Neely and Angus MacSwanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ IMF urges BOJ to let long-term yields rise, be ready to raise rates
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Leika Kihara | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

It's more to balance some of the impact on the real economy against the impact on financial markets," IMF Japan Mission Chief Ranil Salgado said on Thursday. "Given the two-sided risks to inflation, more flexibility in long-term yields would help to avoid abrupt changes later. This would help better manage inflation risks and also help address the side-effects of prolonged easing," the IMF said in a statement issued after the policy consultation. EYING THE EXITThe IMF said the BOJ could also consider options such as targeting a shorter-term yield or the pace of its bond buying. The BOJ surprised markets in December by doubling its allowance band for the 10-year yield to 0.5% above or below zero.

☆ India commits to help Sri Lanka on debt in prospective IMF program
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] Laborers carry sacks of flour in the main market as Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced 2023 budget amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 14, 2022. REUTERS/ Dinuka Liyanawatte/File PhotoJan 23 (Reuters) - India has committed to help ease the debt burden of its crisis-stricken neighbor Sri Lanka as part of a possible International Monetary Fund-supported program, the IMF said on Monday. "Sri Lanka is engaged with other official bilateral creditors to obtain similar assurances," an IMF spokesperson said in a statement on Monday. "As soon as adequate assurances are obtained and remaining requirements are met, including by the Sri Lankan authorities, a Fund-supported program for Sri Lanka can be presented to the IMF's Executive Board for approval that would unlock much needed financing." Sri Lanka requires the backing of China and India - its biggest bilateral lenders - to reach a final agreement with the IMF that is essential to help the country emerge from its worst financial crisis in seven decades.

[1/3] Drivers push auto rickshaws in a line to buy petrol from a fuel station amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 29, 2022. India's foreign ministry did not respond to questions from Reuters on its plans and strategic aims in Sri Lanka. New Delhi has long been concerned about China's clout in its neighbourhood, including Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. "And as far as Sri Lanka is concerned, we don't want to contribute to any escalation of tension between any countries." "Sri Lanka has clearly benefited from being the closest neighbour to the most powerful country in the region.

☆ Sri Lanka's cancer patients struggle amid economic chaos
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

The 32-year-old vegetable farmer was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021 and started receiving treatment earlier this year just as Sri Lanka's economy went into free-fall. Amid crippling fuel scarcity and weeks of unrest, Kumarasinghe said he was unable to travel the 155 km (96 miles) between his home and Sri Lanka's main cancer hospital on the outskirts of the country's largest city, Colombo, for treatment. Kumarasinghe is among hundreds of cancer patients who have had their treatment upended by Sri Lanka's worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948. Hospitals countrywide have struggled to contend with severe drug shortages, which have worsened over the last eight months, a representative of Sri Lanka's largest doctors union told Reuters. Sri Lanka's health ministry and senior health officials did not respond to calls from Reuters.

☆ Sri Lanka's economy shrinks 11.8% in second-worst quarterly performance
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COLOMBO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's economy shrank 11.8% in the July-September quarter from a year ago, government data showed on Thursday, the second-worst quarterly contraction ever for the country going through a severe financial crisis. Economic mismanagement and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have left Sri Lanka short of dollars for essential imports including food, fuel, fertilisers and medicine. "This is the second-worst contraction Sri Lanka has experienced in a quarter after a 16.4% contraction in the second quarter of 2020," said Dimantha Mathew, head of research at First Capital. Sri Lanka's central bank estimates the economy will contract by about 8% in 2022. The economy had contracted 8.4% year-on-year in the second quarter, one of the worst performances in the island of 22 million people.

☆ Sri Lanka announces budget aimed at clinching IMF deal, sees recovery by end-2023
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

COLOMBO, Nov 14 (Reuters) - The crisis-hit Sri Lankan economy can turnaround by end of 2023 if budget policies, which are not limited to the International Monetary Fund's recommendations, are followed, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in the budget speech on Monday. IMF recommendations have only been looked at to stabilise the economy, Wickremesinghe, who is also the country's finance minister, told parliament, delivering the first annual budget since he took office in July. The budget is likely to include specific measures aimed at reducing the government's deficit and persuading the International Monetary Fund to provide a desperately needed bailout package. Wickremesinghe said the government plans to reduce debt to less than 100% of GDP over the medium term and achieving economic growth of 7%. Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe; Writing by Swati Bhat; Editing by Simon Cameron-MooreOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sri Lanka budget to seek recovery for crisis-hit economy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-14 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

President Ranil Wickremesinghe's first full-year budget to parliament will include measures aimed at helping Sri Lanka restructure its debt, increase revenues and trim spending as it works on the bailout with the International Monetary Fund, analysts say. "This is a budget that is being presented at a time Sri Lanka is facing an unprecedented crisis," said State Minister for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. The World Bank estimates Sri Lanka's economy will contract by 9.2% this year and 4.2% in 2023. Unable to pay for critical imports, Sri Lanka struggled to buy essentials such as fuel, and the public faced soaring inflation, a rapidly depreciating currency and sharply shrinking growth. Spending cuts will likely to be tricky, given Sri Lanka's large public workforce and high debt.

☆ COP27: What they are saying at the climate summit
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Sri Lanka Zimbabwe Adds Quotes Leaders Of Poland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Nov 8 (Reuters) - World leaders, policymakers and delegates from nearly 200 countries are at the COP27 U.N. climate summit in Egypt, where they hope to keep alive a goal to avert the worst impacts of climate change. Profligate producers of fossil fuels have benefited from extortionate profits at the expense of human civilization. EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA, PRESIDENT OF ZIMBABWE"Those mostly responsible for the climate crisis must listen and prioritize climate finance to help prevent disasters and climate victims recover. Developed nations should be giving leadership to work on climate challenges rather than abdicating their responsibilities. It is no secret that climate financing has missed the target….

☆ Hundreds march in crisis-hit Sri Lanka protesting tax hikes, crackdowns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Demonstrators shout at Sri Lankan police officers during an anti-government protest by trade unions, student movements, and civil organisations, including the main opposition parties, amid the country's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, November 2, 2022. We need solutions and we will keep fighting for them," Ceylon Teacher's Union Secretary Joseph Stalin said. Widespread protests in July resulted in former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country and resigning after protesters stormed his office and residence. read moreProtesters carrying national and black flags shouted slogans of "Ranil go home," during the march and called for new elections. They also accused the government of using draconian anti-terrorism legislation to crack down on protest leaders and jail two of them.

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