Sri Lanka is completing pre-requisites to unlock a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and expects consent from the global lender without delay, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in his address to the nation to mark the 75th Independence Day on Saturday.

"We are successfully completing the difficult stage required to get support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). We expect to get their consent without delay," Wickremesinghe said.

(Cover: Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe (C) salutes during Sri Lanka's 75th Independence Day celebrations in Colombo, February 4, 2023. /CFP)