President signals priority for domestic economic policy autonomy

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted the government's current "consideration mode" concerning a potential follow-up IMF programme post-March 2027. During a Fireside Chat at the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit, Dissanayake stressed that any future cooperation with the IMF must grant his administration sufficient policy space to implement its own sovereign economic strategy.

The President outlined a roadmap covering macro-fiscal discipline, port infrastructure development, energy sector restructuring, fuel pricing, and technology training. He acknowledged the satisfactory foreign reserves but cautioned about external vulnerabilities, including geopolitical tensions and climate-related disasters. Regarding national assets, Dissanayake proposed restructuring plans for the Port of Colombo, aiming to increase Sri Lanka's status as a major maritime hub.

The government plans to grant management and operating rights of the East Container Terminal to a private partner while retaining 100% ownership. A new 150-container examination facility in Kerawalapitiya is also in the works to streamline customs clearance. In energy security, the President announced plans to review existing petroleum agreements with market participants and potentially lower the bunker fuel tax.

For renewable energy, four major grid transmission lines will be opened for private sector participation, and floating solar projects will be prioritised. Lastly, Dissanayake revealed plans to establish a specialized ICT and AI training institute in collaboration with Singapore, along with a restructuring plan for public sector remuneration and an outcome-based procurement model for international marketing campaigns.