IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde and Mr. Ravi Karunanayake, Finance Minister of Sri Lanka, issued the following joint statement after their meeting in Washington today:

“We had a fruitful discussion about recent economic developments in Sri Lanka and the near-term outlook. These discussions will continue in the context of the next regularly scheduled Post-Program Monitoring mission led by Todd Schneider, which will visit Sri Lanka from February 23 through March 4. IMF Asia and Pacific Department Director Changyong Rhee will also join the mission to meet with senior officials.

“The Post-Program Monitoring mission is expected to be followed by IMF technical assistance missions focused on tax policy and administration, public financial management, and financial sector supervision.

“Management level dialogue will continue on the occasion of the Spring Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank in April.”