COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s economy is projected to expand by 3.1 percent in 2026, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said at a recent press conference.

Thomas Helbling, deputy director of the IMF’s Asia and Pacific Department, said Sri Lanka has recorded a strong economic recovery as the government continues to implement its reform program supported by the IMF.

He said the country’s economy grew by 5 percent in 2024 and by 4.8 percent in the first half of 2025.

“Some of that strong rebound was due to normalization and higher levels of economic activity, while part of the growth effect is likely to be temporary,” Helbling said.