COVID-19 severely hit the economy, causing a loss of tourism receipts and necessitating several strict lockdowns. Pre-pandemic tax cuts and the impact of COVID-19 led to fiscal deficits larger than 10 percent of GDP in 2020 and 2021 and a rapid increase in public debt to 119 percent of GDP in...

This paper discusses economic performance, outlook, and risks of Sri Lankan economy. Macroeconomic performance in 2015 reflected a mix between positive underlying growth momentum, the negative impact of unbalanced domestic policies, and an increasingly difficult external environment. The...

This paper discusses recent economic developments, outlook, and policies required to stabilize the economy of Sri Lanka. Recent economic developments reflect a more challenging external environment as well as a sharpening of macro-financial imbalances that began emerging late in 2014. Fiscal...

This paper discusses Sri Lanka's First Review Under the Extended Arrangement Under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and Request for Modification of Performance Criterion (PCs). Performance under the program has been largely satisfactory. All end-June quantitative PCs were met, together with all...

This paper discusses Sri Lanka's Fifth Review under the Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility, Request for Waivers of Nonobservance of Performance Criteria, extension of the arrangement, and rephasing of purchases. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka maintained a tight monetary policy...

This 2018 Article IV Consultation highlights that the Sri Lankan economy is expected to normalize gradually. Following subdued growth in 2017 owing to the lingering effects of weather-related shocks, a recovery is under way as agriculture has started to rebound and growth in exports remains...

This Selected Issues paper discusses measures needed for structural transformation in Sri Lanka. The government has ambitious plans to achieve upper middle-income country status in 2025 by transforming Sri Lanka in an Indian Ocean Hub for trade, investment, and services. Stable and transparent...