Sri Lanka, Oct. 11 -- Sri Lanka can tap World Bank budget support even after the current International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme ends, World Bank Group Senior Economist Jakob Engel told Sunday Observer Business.

Responding to questions on the sidelines of the World Bank media briefing on Tuesday (6), he said there were no barriers to Sri Lanka receiving World Bank budget support after the IMF programme, provided the country prudently maintains fiscal discipline, sound macroeconomic management and a strong reform agenda.

"A well-performing IMF programme provides a strong signal of a sound macroeconomic framework, but the Bank conducts its own assessment before deciding on budget support," he said.

"Whether there is an IMF programme...