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IMF Approves US$695 Million for Sri Lanka After Completing EFF Reviews
The Pulse
EconomyPoliticsHOTSunday, May 17, 2026

IMF Approves US$695 Million for Sri Lanka After Completing EFF Reviews

TLDR

  • IMF approves US$695M for Sri Lanka on May 28, 2026.

  • Funds expected early June; total IMF support now US$2.4B.

  • Sri Lanka's reforms show significant progress, IMF confirms.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board is set to meet on May 27, 2026, to consider Sri Lanka’s combined fifth and sixth reviews under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program. This decision is anticipated to unlock approximately USD 700 million in financing for the nation. Approval of these reviews would make Sri Lanka eligible to draw its sixth and seventh tranches under the current IMF arrangement. A staff-level agreement was reached on April 9, but the final approval hinges on the Executive Board's decision, following the completion of several prior actions by Sri Lankan authorities.

8 Updates

Update #9\u00b7 May 31 · 1:30 AM

The IMF Executive Board approved Sri Lanka's fifth and sixth Extended Fund Facility (EFF) reviews on May 28, 2026, granting access to approximately US$695 million. The Ministry of Finance and Planning anticipates receiving these funds, which constitute the sixth and seventh tranches, within the first week of June. IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou held a press conference to explain the decision.

Update #8\u00b7 May 28 · 2:16 AM

The IMF Executive Board has completed the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews of Sri Lanka's Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The completion on May 27, 2026, grants Sri Lanka access to SDR508 million (approximately US$695 million). This brings the total purchases under the 48-month EFF arrangement to SDR1.778 billion.

Update #7\u00b7 May 27 · 9:31 PM

The IMF Executive Board has completed the combined Fifth and Sixth Reviews of Sri Lanka's Extended Fund Facility (EFF), approving an immediate disbursement of approximately US$695 million. This brings the total IMF financial support disbursed to Sri Lanka under the programme to about US$2.4 billion. The IMF noted that Sri Lanka's performance under the reform programme remained "generally strong" despite global and domestic challenges, including the war in the Middle East and the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

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