Private bus operators to strike in support of hartal

Deputy Minister Outlines Low-Cost RFI Funding and Relief Measures

Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando states Sri Lanka’s approval of USD 206 million under the IMF’s Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) provides critical, low-cost emergency support to help ease balance of payments pressures during the recovery phase. In a video message issued by the Finance Ministry, he said the RFI is a standard IMF facility designed to assist member countries facing urgent external financing needs, and thanked the IMF and its Sri Lanka Mission Chief E

22 Dec, 2025

India Pledges US$450mn to Sri Lanka for Cyclone Ditwah Recovery

India has committed US$450 million to assist Sri Lanka in recovering from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced in Colombo after meeting President Anura Dissanayake. The visit, as a special envoy from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, underscores India’s ongoing support and close partnership with Sri Lanka. India was the first country to respond to the disaster, providing relief supplies, helicopters, medical assistance, and Bailey Bridge

23 Dec, 2025

Central Bank Dollars Possible for Debt if IMF Loan Delayed

Sri Lanka will meet its debt repayment obligations using loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and funding under the Rapid Financing Instrument until early 2026, but may turn to the central bank for foreign exchange if an expected IMF tranche is delayed, a senior Treasury official said. Additional Director General of Treasury Operations Damitha Rathnayake told Parliament’s Committee on Public Finance that the government had planned to use a US$350 million tranche from the International Mo

21 Dec, 2025