WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund's board on Wednesday approved two reviews of Sri Lanka's loan programme, making $695 million in additional loans immediately available to the crisis-hit island nation.
It is the latest tranche in the country's four-year $3 billion bailout, with the Fund warning of further risks due to the economic impact of the Iran war.
Surging oil prices due to the war, launched by the United States and Israel on February 28, have heavily impacted many import-dependent Asian countries.
"Sri Lanka's strong implementation under the EFF arrangement has continued despite challenging circumstances", said Kenji Okamura, the IMF's Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair.
"Gains from the economic reform programme helped preserve economic resilience and provided room to respond to cyclone Ditwah and the Middle East war. The latter, however, has significantly worsened Sri Lanka's economic outlook and tilted risks to the downside".
The IMF projects 2026 growth to slow to three per cent, with higher oil prices increasing inflation and weighing on the current account balance.
The board's approval was contingent on Sri Lanka adjusting certain energy market subsidies issued in the wake of the war.
Wednesday's statement said the Sri Lankan authorities had met the Fund's requirements on fuel and electricity prices meeting cost-recovery criteria.
Criteria on ensuring no new external debts and on not imposing or intensifying import restrictions "were not observed", however. - AFP
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