At the Regional Centre for Strategic Studies, Strategic Dialogue – 4, held on 4 May 2026, Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja cautioned that Sri Lanka needs to consider planning for an 18th IMF programme.

He stated that, with the current programme ending in mid-2027 and significant debt repayments due from 2028, the compounding effects of Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ and the Middle East War have made what was once considered a contingency increasingly inevitable. He noted that planning for such a scenario is the responsible course of action.

The dialogue brought together senior serving and retired policymakers, diplomats, defence representatives, academics, think-tank representatives, civil society members, and media representatives.