<p>An International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff team will be visiting Sri Lanka from May 11 to 23, ahead of the first review mission of the country's loan programme in September.</p>

<p>The visit is part of the global lender's regular consultations with Sri Lanka. According to the IMF, Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the Asia and Pacific Department, will join the visit from May 12 to 15, and a press briefing will be held on Monday.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst financial crisis in over 70 years due to a severe shortage of foreign exchange.</p>

<p>The country's loan programme with the IMF, which amounts to nearly $3 billion, was finalised in March.</p>