SL Economy: IMF Projects 3.1% Trend Growth for 2026 📈

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Sri Lanka's economy will settle to a "trend growth" of 3.1% in 2026. • Deputy Director Thomas Helbling noted the strong economic recovery is due to the Government's continued implementation of the IMF-supported reform program. • This follows a significant rebound, with growth recorded at 5% last year (2024) and 4.8% in the first half of 2025. • Helbling explained that part of the strong rebound in 2024/2025 was normalization and somewhat temporary. • The return to the long-term trend growth of 3.1% is now expected to happen sooner than previously anticipated.