A fact-finding mission from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will visit Sri Lanka from January 22 to 28 to assess the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah and evaluate its implications on the country’s ongoing economic reform programme, IMF Communications Director Julie Kozack said.

She made these remarks while responding to a question raised by Ada Derana at the IMF’s regular press briefing held today (15).

Kozack stated that the mission’s primary objective is to gain a clearer understanding of the size and scope of the damage caused by the cyclone and to hold discussions with Sri Lankan authorities on their policy intentions.

“The team will discuss with the authorities their policy intentions and the implications of the impact of the cyclone for the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme,” she said, stressing that this is strictly a fact-finding mission aimed at enabling the IMF to better assess how it can support Sri Lanka moving forward.

She further revealed that on December 19, the IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing of approximately USD 206 million for Sri Lanka under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing the country with immediate financial support to address urgent needs arising from the disaster while helping preserve macroeconomic stability.

Responding to a separate question on electricity tariffs, Kozack reaffirmed that Sri Lanka remains committed under the IMF programme to maintaining cost-recovery pricing in the utility sector, noting that this is essential to ensure fiscal sustainability and prevent financial losses at state-owned utility institutions.

She added that any additional support Sri Lanka may require in the aftermath of the cyclone will be discussed during the upcoming mission, in line with the IMF’s mandate to support the country’s economic stability and recovery.