$1.5 billion IMF loan approved for Sri Lanka
The loan is armed at averting the balance of payments crisis and supporting the economic reform agenda agreed with the IMF.
The decision by the IMF's executive board will allow an immediate amount of US $ 168.1 million, followed by six further installments, depending on quarterly reviews.
“A return to fiscal consolidation, targeting a reduction in the overall fiscal deficit to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2020, is the linchpin of the reform program," the deputing managing director and acting chair, Min Zhu said in a statement.
"Rebuilding tax revenues through a comprehensive reform of both tax policy and administration will be key in this regard, supplemented by steps toward more effective control over expenditures and putting state enterprise operations on a more commercial footing."