Despite Debt Assurances and Low Inflation, Why Do Many Sri Lankans Still Struggle with High Living Costs?
In our previous article, we explained the fundamentals of inflation and its effects on everyday prices. While low and stable inflation signals macroeconomic progress, it does not always translate to immediate relief for households with living costs. Recent statements from Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe dismiss concerns about a future […]
What is Inflation And How Inflation is Measured?
What is Inflation? In everyday conversations, people often complain about “inflation” when prices at the grocery store, fuel pump, or rental market go up. A cup of tea that cost 100 rupees last year now costs 150. Wages feel like they buy less. Retirement savings lose purchasing power. These experiences make inflation one of the […]
Should Sri Lanka Reform the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA)?
Summary of the analysis The Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) of 1951 governs marriages, divorces, and related matters for Sri Lanka’s Muslim community. It replaced the previous “Muslim Marriage and Divorce Registration Ordinance” of 1929 and the older “Mohammadan Code” of 1806, officially establishing a codified system for marriage, divorce, and the Quazi court […]
Does the IMF Promote Cuts to Health, Education, Social Protection, or Public Investment During Economic Crises?
In our previous article, we explored whether IMF-supported programs impose austerity on countries in financial crisis, examining the balance between fiscal consolidation and social impacts. A related concern often raised is whether the IMF encourages or requires reductions in priority spending areas health, education, social protection, and public investment precisely when economies are under strain. […]
Do IMF-Supported Programs Impose Austerity on Countries in Financial Crisis?
In our previous article, we examined the announced visit of IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva to Sri Lanka in February 2026, highlighting its focus on program progress and solidarity amid recent natural disasters. A recurring question in public debates about IMF engagement is whether its supported programs impose austerity measures on countries facing financial difficulties. […]
Why Is IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva Planning a Visit to Sri Lanka in February 2026?
In our previous article, we detailed the IMF staff mission’s January 2026 visit to assess the economic and social impacts of Cyclone Ditwah and related flooding. That mission highlighted the authorities’ commitments to safeguarding program gains while addressing disaster needs. Building on those discussions, a higher-level engagement has been announced: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva […]
Will Sri Lanka’s Inflation Reach the 5% Target by Mid-2026?
Summary of the analysis The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has maintained its key policy rates unchanged in the first Monetary Policy Review of 2026, announced on 28 January 2026. The Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR) remain at 8.25% and 9.25%, respectively. More importantly for the public, the […]
Why Has Argentina Had the Most IMF Programs in History?
In our previous article, we examined IMF conditionality the policy commitments governments make in exchange for financial support. These conditions are central to how the IMF engages with countries facing economic difficulties. Argentina provides a prominent example of repeated engagement with the IMF, having entered into more arrangements than any other member country. For ordinary […]
What is the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a global organization that works to promote economic stability and growth worldwide. Established in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference, it now has 191 member countries. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the IMF is governed by its members through a Board of Governors and an Executive Board, with a Managing […]
Pension Rights Clarification for Public Officers Appointed After 2016: Ensuring Retirement Security in Sri Lanka
For thousands of public officers recruited into government service after January 1, 2016, retirement planning has carried a layer of uncertainty. Appointment letters included the note that positions were pensionable but subject to future policy decisions on the applicable scheme. This stemmed from the 2016 Budget proposal to introduce a contributory retirement system, aimed at […]