IMF reaches staff level agreement on third review of Sri Lanka’s EFF

Oct 16, 2017 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s central bank should stand ready to head off pressures on inflation and credit growth while continuing to enhance exchange rate flexibility, reaching a staff level agreement, IMF staff team said. After constructive discussions with the authorities in Colombo and during the Annual Meetings, an IMF staff team issued the following statement in Washington DC: “The IMF team reached a staff-level agreement with the Sri Lankan authorities on the third review under an economic reform program supported by a three-year Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, subject to the completion of a prior action by the authorities and the approval of the IMF Executive Board. “The Board is expected to consider Sri Lanka’s request for completion of the third review in December 2017, by which time the 2018 budget—consistent with the EFF-supported program—is expected to be submitted to Parliament as a prior action. Incorporating the new Inland Revenue Act, the 2018 budget should continue fiscal consolidation supported by stronger revenues. The central bank should stand ready to head off pressures on inflation and credit growth, while continuing to enhance exchange rate flexibility. “The authorities have been improving the country’s fiscal position and strengthened its international reserves, but more needs to be done in the area of SOE reforms. Upholding the reform momentum will be important for addressing fiscal and external imbalances and meeting the government’s ambitious social and development objectives. Renewed effort toward bolstering competitiveness, improving social protection programs, and boosting private sector development will be important for making growth more robust and inclusive.”