Sri Lanka delegation to begin debt talks with the IMF

Sri Lanka will begin negotiations with the IMF today as it seeks a cash infusion of some $4 billion to pay for food and fuel imports as well as service debts.

The country currently faces one of its worst economic crises in decades. It has a total outstanding debt of $50 billion, $7 billion of which is due this year.

The current foreign exchange crisis has been looming since late 2020, when the government nearly depleted its foreign reserves to keep up with essential imports during the COVID-19 lockdown. As of last week, the Sri Lankan government has halted payments on its foreign debt to preserve its ability to import necessary goods.

The meeting with the IMF will likely address Sri Lanka’s domestic economic woes in the short term and most importantly, aid Sri Lanka with haircut negotiations on the country’s foreign debt. While Sri Lanka is currently negotiating for a $1.5 billion credit line with China, India has extended a $500 million credit line, which will further entrench the country’s dependence on its neighbors.

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Htet Thadar

Prior to joining Foreign Brief, Htet interned at the Karuna Center for Peacebuilding, where she worked on peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts in Myanmar, Nigeria, and Ethiopia. During this time, she also oversaw and arranged program activities regarding Indigenous land issues in the Connecticut River Valley. In addition, she participated in the Young Professionals Program at the East-West Center where she wrote short articles on US-Asia local relations for the Asia Matters for America website. Htet is a current MA candidate at the Johns Hopkins University of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), focusing on Southeast Asia and international development, climate, and sustainability.

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