Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya held a high-level meeting with Dr. Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), on June 16, at Temple Trees.
Welcoming Dr. Gopinath and the visiting IMF delegation, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to working closely with international partners as Sri Lanka forges ahead on its path to economic recovery.
During the discussion, Dr. Gopinath commended the transparent and proactive approach of the new government to debt restructuring, noting that the significant progress made so far has strengthened international confidence in Sri Lanka’s economic revival.
She further highlighted Sri Lanka’s economic reform framework as a well-structured model that could guide other nations facing similar fiscal and structural challenges.
Both parties held extensive discussions on attracting greater foreign investment, particularly in strategic sectors such as energy, where sustainable and large-scale development is crucial for long-term resilience. Prime Minister Amarasuriya stressed that enhancing governance, strengthening institutions, and promoting transparency at all levels of government and public financial management remain top priorities for the administration. She reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that all economic recovery measures remain inclusive and centred on people’s welfare.
The meeting also focused on the need to bolster Sri Lanka’s social protection mechanisms and to accelerate reforms in the education sector to better equip the workforce to meet emerging challenges, which are vital for advancing social equity and achieving sustainable development goals.
Dr. Gopinath assured the Prime Minister of the IMF’s continued support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing reform programme and reiterated the institution’s readiness to provide the necessary technical and financial assistance to help the country maintain macroeconomic stability and foster long-term growth.
The discussion was attended by senior IMF officials, including Dr. Martin Kaufman (Advisor), Dr. Krishna Srinivasan, and Dr. Peter Breuer from the Asia Pacific Department. The Sri Lankan delegation included Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; senior officials from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; and Mr. Dharshana M. Perera, Senior Director General of the Economic Affairs Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism.
Prime Minister’s Media Division