Govt. calms investors about post-2028 debt repayment capacity

THE Government is seeking to accelerate reserve accumulation, attract higher foreign investment, and maintain fiscal discipline to manage the rise in external debt repayments after 2028, Deputy Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe told an online forum last week organised by Tellimer and Softlogic Stockbrokers.

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He said Sri Lanka's external debt service will rise by about $ 785 million from 2028, making it essential to build a stronger reserve buffer ahead of those obligations. “We are pretty sure that if we go through this trajectory, we will have enough reserves which do not have to trouble our consumption or external stability,” he said.

Responding to investor concerns about the post-2028 outlook, he dismissed talk of a renewed repayment crisis. "There is a little bit of an unwanted fear," he said, noting that the restructuring has already smoothed the path. "The additional payments are manageable, and if we maintain this trajectory, we will be in a very strong position to meet our external commitments."