The IMF says it is "ready" to assist Sri Lanka if requested

The International Monetary Fund is ready to discuss “options” with Sri Lanka if the government asks for financial support, its mission chief for the island told AFP on Thursday.

“While the IMF has not received a request for financial support from Sri Lanka, the staff stands ready to discuss options if requested,” mission chief Masahiro Nozaki said in a written statement to AFP.

The IMF continues to “closely monitor economic and policy developments in Sri Lanka,” Nozaki added. He said a fund team had visited Colombo in December last year as part of the annual bilateral discussions to review economic developments and policies.