IMF hopes for resolution of Sri Lanka crisis to allow bailout talks

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NEW DELHI — The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it hoped for a resolution to the political unrest in Sri Lanka that would allow talks to resume for a bailout after a violent day of protests.

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will step down on Wednesday after thousands of protesters stormed his official residence and secretariat on Saturday, an official said. Protesters also set fire to the private residence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“We hope for a resolution to the current situation that will allow our dialogue to resume on an IMF-supported program,” the IMF said in a statement. (Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe; Editing by Edmund Klamann)