SriLanka, Nov. 12 -- Sri Lanka's decision on whether to continue with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), after its current programme, would test its ability to navigate competition among major powers, former Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha said.

Delivering the Gamani Corea Memorial Lecture in Colombo on November 4, Aryasinha said the IMF programme had brought competing powers together during Sri Lanka's economic crisis, temporarily easing pressure on Colombo to choose sides.

He said that room for manoeuvre was narrowing as March 2027 approached. Whether Sri Lanka continued with the IMF and on what terms, would have consequences for its foreign relations as well as its economy. Aryasinha said he sensed that jockeying for positi...