Part of a series on the |
Aragalaya |
---|
Background |
Economic crisis (2019–present) |
Political crisis (2022–present) |
Legacy |
Sri Lanka joined the International Monetary Fund on August 29, 1950. [1] Since June 1965, Sri Lanka has taken 16 loans from the IMF, with a total value of 3,586,000,000 SDR's. The most recent of these loans was agreed to in June 2016, with an agreed total of 1,070,780 SDR's, and 715,230,000 SDR's being withdrawn. Of this total, 715,230,000 SDR's remain outstanding. [2] Notwithstanding the receipt of substantial soft loans from China, the island nation of Sri Lanka finds itself ensnared in a foreign currency crisis, prompting concerns among experts that it may be driven towards default. The current year places a heavy burden on Sri Lanka, with debt repayments amounting to approximately $4.5 billion, commencing with an initial payment of $500 million towards an international sovereign bond. It is worth noting that Sri Lanka holds a position of significant importance in China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. [3]
Sri Lanka is a part of a constituency with Bangladesh, Bhutan, and India. The representative of this constituency on the IMF executive board is Surjit Singh Bhalla. This constituency has 3.05% of the total voting power of the IMF. Individually, Sri Lanka has 7,247 total votes, or .15%[ clarification needed ] of the total voting power of the IMF. [4] Sri Lanka's current IMF quota is 578.6 million SDR's. [5]
In 2016, Sri Lanka began an adjustment program, supported under the Extended Fund Facility. [6] The Extended Fund Facility supported agreement expired in June 2020. While foreign exchange reserve levels did recover from 2016 to 2019, reserves have declined sharply since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. [7] Similarly, Sri Lanka's current account balance briefly improved, but as of 2022, returned to exhibiting a large deficit. [8]
As per the IMF's statement, India has firmly pledged its commitment to aiding its distressed neighbor, Sri Lanka, in reducing its debt burden through a potential International Monetary Fund-backed initiative. The successful resolution with the IMF holds utmost importance for Sri Lanka's journey to recover from its most severe financial crisis in the past seventy years, highlighting the crucial role played by India's support. The longstanding friendship between India and Sri Lanka further fortifies the bedrock of this collaborative endeavor. [9]
Amidst the country's current foreign exchange crisis, former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sought a $3 Billion loan from the IMF in April 2022. Opposition party leaders urged Rajapaksa to seek IMF assistance prior to April. [10] The governor of the country's central bank, P Nandalal Weeresignhe, echoed this sentiment. [11] Sri Lanka has also sought an additional $500 million line of credit from India, and began negotiating a credit line of $1.5 billion. Sri Lankan minister of finance Ali Sabry has stated "We are a neutral country. We are a friend to all." [10] In May 2022, Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt for the first time in the country's history. [12]
Negotiations between the IMF and Sri Lanka regarding lending to resolve the balance of payments crisis are ongoing. As of July 18, 2022 acting president Ranil Wickremesignhe stated that negotiations were nearing conclusion. [13]
Washington Post columnist Ishaan Tharoor argues that the decision of the Rajapaksa government to accept a $3 billion line of credit from China to facilitate repayment of existing debts was an important factor in the development of the current crisis. Tharoor argues that rather than focus on long-term debt restructuring that may have resolved Sri Lanka's balance of payments crisis, Sri Lanka opted to pursue easy credit, resulting in eventual failure to repay outstanding loans. The article identifies this line of credit as a part of a broader trend referred to as debt trap diplomacy. [14]
The 2021 article IV consultation for Sri Lanka was published in March 2022. The consultation warned of a rising current account deficit, referring to Sri Lanka's foreign exchange reserve levels as "critically low". Executive directors praised Sri Lanka's COVID-19 policy response and vaccination drive, but argued that Sri Lanka's public debt was unsustainable. The executive directors recommended an increase in the income tax rate and value added tax, among other fiscal policy reforms, and cost-recovery energy pricing. The report also raised concerns about rising inflation, arguing that a tighter monetary policy response would be necessary. Additionally, executive directors stressed the importance of long-term structural adjustments to increase female labor force participation, reduce youth unemployment, diversify the economy, and fight corruption. [6]
History of Lending Commitments [15] [16] | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | Facility | Date of Arrangement | Expiration Date | Amount Agreed, 000’ SDRs (USD Millions) | Amount Drawn (%) [17] | Amount Outstanding |
1 | SBA | 15 June 1965 | 14 June 1966 | 30,000 (30) | 22,500 (75%) | 0 |
2 | SBA | 15 June, 1966 | 14 June 1967 | 25,000 (25) | 25,000 (100%) | 0 |
3 | SBA | 6 May 1968 | 5 May 1969 | 19,500 (20) | 19,500 (100%) | 0 |
4 | SBA | 12 August 1969 | 11 August 1970 | 19,500 (20) | 19,500 (100%) | 0 |
5 | SBA | 18 March 1971 | 17 March 1972 | 24,500 (25) | 24,500 (100%) | 0 |
6 | SBA | 30 April 1974 | 29 April 1975 | 24,500 (30) | 7,000 (29%) | 0 |
7 | SBA | 2 December 1977 | 1 December 1978 | 93,000 (112) | 93,000 (100%) | 0 |
8 | EFF | 1 January 1979 | 31 December 1981 | 260,300 (336) | 260,300 (100%) | 0 |
9 | SBA | 14 September 1983 | 31 July 1984 | 100,000 (105) | 50,000 (50%) | 0 |
10 | SAFC | 9 March 1988 | 8 March 1991 | 156,170 (214) | 156,170 (100%) | 0 |
11 | ECF | 13 September 1991 | 31 July 1995 | 336,000 (455) | 280,000 (83%) | 0 |
12 | SBA | 20 April 2001 | 19 September 2002 | 200,000 (254) | 200,000 (100%) | 0 |
13 | EFF | 18 April 2003 | 17 April 2006 | 144,400 (198) | 20,670 (14%) | 0 |
14 | ECF | 18 April 2003 | 17 April 2006 | 269,000 (368) | 38,390 (14%) | 0 |
15 | SBA | 24 July 2009 | 23 July 2012 | 1,653,600 (2,566) | 1,653,600 (100%) | 0 |
16 | EFF | 3 June 2016 | 2 June 2019 | 1,070,780 (1,507) | 715,230 (50%) | 715,230 |
Total (as of 30 September 2018) | 4,426,250 | 3,585,360 | 715,230 | |||
17 | EFF | 20 March 2023 | 20 March 2025 | 2,286,000 (~3,000) | 2,286,000 (395%) |
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a major financial agency of the United Nations, and an international financial institution funded by 190 member countries, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is regarded as the global lender of last resort to national governments, and a leading supporter of exchange-rate stability. Its stated mission is "working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world."
The mixed economy of Sri Lanka was worth $84 billion by nominal gross domestic product (GDP) in 2019 and $296.959 billion by purchasing power parity (PPP). The country had experienced an annual growth of 6.4 percent from 2003 to 2012, well above its regional peers. This growth was driven by the growth of non-tradable sectors, which the World Bank warned to be both unsustainable and unequitable. Growth has slowed since then. In 2019 with an income per capita of 13,620 PPP Dollars or 3,852 (2019) nominal US dollars, Sri Lanka was re-classified as a lower middle income nation with the population around 22 million (2021) by the World Bank from a previous upper middle income status.
Special drawing rights are supplementary foreign exchange reserve assets defined and maintained by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). SDRs are units of account for the IMF, and not a currency per se. They represent a claim to currency held by IMF member countries for which they may be exchanged. SDRs were created in 1969 to supplement a shortfall of preferred foreign exchange reserve assets, namely gold and U.S. dollars. The ISO 4217 currency code for special drawing rights is XDR and the numeric code is 960.
The Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) is an emergency reserve fund of the United States Treasury Department, normally used for foreign exchange intervention. This arrangement allows the US government to influence currency exchange rates without directly affecting domestic money supply.
The Export–Import Bank of China is a policy bank of China under the State Council. Established in 1994, the bank was chartered to implement the state policies in industry, foreign trade, economy, and foreign aid to other developing countries, and provide policy financial support so as to promote the export of Chinese products and services.
China–Sri Lanka relations are the bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China and Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. There is a Chinese embassy located in Colombo and a Sri Lankan embassy situated in Beijing. Historical and cultural ties between the two countries extend back hundreds of years.
In 1945, China cofounded the International Monetary Fund (IMF) with 34 other nations. China was initially represented by the Republic of China. In April 1980, representation transferred to the People's Republic of China. The Chinese-IMF relationship mainly operates around affairs associated with IMF governance and the IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDR).
Mexico joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1945. As of 2022, Mexico has had 18 numbers of arraignment with the IMF.
El Salvador has been a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since 1946. Their quota currently consists of 287.20 million SDR. The country has received loans from the IMF in the past, but most recently has received only standby loans and currently has no outstanding payments. As of June 2017, the standby arrangements total 1,442,300 SDR while the government has only drawn upon 132,250 SDR.
Debt-trap diplomacy is a term to describe an international financial relationship where a creditor country or institution extends debt to a borrowing nation partially, or solely, to increase the lender's political leverage. The creditor country is said to extend excessive credit to a debtor country with the intention of extracting economic or political concessions when the debtor country becomes unable to meet its repayment obligations. The conditions of the loans are often not publicized. The borrowed money commonly pays for contractors and materials sourced from the creditor country.
Poland was one of the founding members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1945. Under pressure from the Soviet Union, the country withdrew in 1950, believing that the organization had become a tool for the United States. Poland rejoined the IMF in 1986, following the end of martial law in Poland (1981–1983) and the withdrawal of the US veto against Polish membership.
South Korea and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) partner together to assist the country in managing its financial system. South Korea's economy is considered fundamentally sound because of the balance of their banking sector and their aim toward a zero structural balance without compromising their ability to sustain debt. The IMF Board in 2019 assessed that the policy framework and financial system in place are sturdy and firmly set.
Belarus and the International Monetary Fund cover the relations between the country of Belarus and the International Monetary Fund. The Republic of Belarus became a member of the International Monetary Fund on July 10, 1992, and has since taken out a significant amount of loans to stabilize its economy, manage the balance of payments and deal with hyperinflation.
Greece is one of the original members of the International Monetary Fund, joining it on December 27, 1945. It has a quota of 2,428.90 million SDRs and 25,754 votes, 0.51% of the total IMF quota and votes. Greece has been represented on the IMF Board of Governors by Minister of Finance Christos Staikouras since 2019. Greece elects an Executive Director on the fund's Executive Board with Albania, Italy, Malta, Portugal and San Marino. Michail Psalidopoulos is the elected alternate director. Greece has signed two loan agreements with the IMF: a Stand-By Arrangement from 2010 to 2012 and an agreement under the Extended Fund Facility from 2012 to 2016, borrowing a total of 27,766.3 million SDR. Greece owes the IMF 6,735.64 million SDR, and is the fund's third-largest borrower. In 2018, the fund began conducting annual post-program monitoring of Greece in addition to its annual Article IV consultation.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Monetary Fund are the relations between the country of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from the state formerly known as Yugoslavia in 1992 and joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on December 14, 1992.
Myanmar, officially joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) as of January 3, 1952; shortly before the end of term for the Union of Myanmar's first President, Sao Shwe Thaik, and the induction of Ba U. Since the induction of Myanmar as a member of the institution, they have made six arrangements with the IMF with its most recent arrangement made in 1981. As of 2019, they are currently led by Kyaw Kyaw Maung and Alternate U Soe Thein; their Special Drawing Rights (SDR) is at 0.79 million and quota consists of $516.8 million SDR which is 0.11% of the total IMF funds available. As of 2019, the country is under one of the twenty-four Executive Boards that facilitates the day-to-day operations of the IMF, led by Alisara Mahasandana and Alternate Keng Heng Tan; their co-board members consist of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Republic of Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and Vietnam. The Executive Board accumulates around 218,545 total votes which account for 4.34% of the Fund's total, Myanmar allocates 6,633 of the votes.
The Sri Lankan economic crisis is an ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka that started in 2019. It is the country's worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948. It has led to unprecedented levels of inflation, near-depletion of foreign exchange reserves, shortages of medical supplies, and an increase in prices of basic commodities. The crisis is said to have begun due to multiple compounding factors like tax cuts, money creation, a nationwide policy to shift to organic or biological farming, the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka. The subsequent economic hardships resulted in the 2022 Sri Lankan protests. Sri Lanka received a lifeline in the form of an Indian line of credit amounting to $4 billion. This substantial credit infusion served to cover the costs of importing essential goods and fuel. As a result, the foreign currency reserves of debt-ridden Sri Lanka experienced a notable improvement, reaching $2.69 billion.
P. Nandalal Weerasinghe is a Sri Lankan economist and banker who is also currently serving as the 17th Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. A career officer in the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, serving as its chief economist and senior deputy governor. He has also served as an alternative executive director at the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC representing the countries such as Sri Lanka, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh from January 2010 to August 2012. He has also previously acted as a chairman of the monetary policy committee and foreign reserve management committee of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka declared the country was suspending payment on most foreign debt from April 12, 2022, kindling the Indian Ocean island's first sovereign default event and ending an unblemished record of repaying external debt despite experiencing milder currency crises in the past. By April Sri Lanka was suffering the worst monetary crisis in its history with a steeply falling rupee, high inflation and forex shortages which triggered shortfalls of fuel, power and medicine. Widespread public protests led to a political crisis. In March, the International Monetary Fund released a report saying publicly for the first time that the country's debt was unsustainable and required re-structuring. Authorities had advertised for financial and legal advisors to help negotiate with creditors shortly before the suspension was announced.
Serbia has been a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) since December 14, 2022 with a quota of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 654.8 million and 8,0007 votes. Serbia is currently represented on the Executive Board by Piotr Trabinski in a constituency with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Poland, Serbia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan that holds 2.88% of the total vote share.