The government on Wednesday expressed confidence in the upcoming International Monetary Fund (IMF) review going “smooth”.

Despite the concerns about the progress of debt restructuring with private bondholders still remaining, Sri Lanka is certain that it will be able to successfully implement the reform agenda.

“The second review will commence from March 7 and we are very confident that it will be a smoother review than the first review,” Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said during a press briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre on Wednesday.

The progress in meeting the key commitments under the IMF-backed programme is set to be formally assessed in the context of the second review of the Extended Fund Facility arrangement, alongside the forthcoming 2024 Article IV consultation assessing Sri Lanka’s economic health.