IMF says it is 'closely monitoring' Sri Lanka's political and economic developments

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday that it was "closely monitoring" Sri Lanka's political and economic developments as public unrest escalated amid the island's worst economic crisis in decades.

"IMF staff hope to hold talks with the authorities, including during the appointment of the newly appointed Minister of Finance later this month in Washington," IMF Sri Lanka Mission Chief Masahiro Nozaki told Reuters in an email statement.