Sri Lanka raises rates to meet IMF bailout requirements

Sri Lanka's central bank has raised interest rates in an unexpected move on Friday, to help finalise an International Monetary Fund's Extended Fund Facility arrangement, it said in a statement.

The bank raised its standing deposit facility rate and standing lending facility rate by 100 basis points each to 15.50 per cent and 16.50 per cent, respectively.

The country is awaiting approval of a $2.9 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout package.

The island nations's economy has been squeezed by its worst financial crisis since independence from Britain in 1948, with growth contracting by an estimated 9.2 per cent last year amid soaring inflation that hit 50 per cent in February.

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"There have been some differences between the CBSL and IMF staff on the inflation outlook," the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said in its statement.

"Given the necessity of fulfilling all the 'prior actions' in order to move forward with the finalisation of the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, the Monetary Board and the IMF staff reached consensus to raise the policy interest rates," it added.

Sri Lanka signed a preliminary agreement with the IMF last September for a $2.9 billion programme, but has to restructure its debt before disbursements can begin.

Recent tax rises are in line with international comparisons and are needed to help creditors regain confidence, the IMF said on Thursday, backing Sri Lanka's efforts to lock down a programme.