Sri Lanka's finance ministry on Tuesday said that International Monetary Fund (IMF) will consider providing quick financial assistance to Sri Lanka, following representations by India.

The delegation headed by Sri Lanka's Finance Minister Ali Sabry started formal talks with IMF in Washington on Monday for a programme the administration hopes will help top up its reserves, and attract bridge financing to pay for essential imports of fuel, food, and medicines.

Sri Lanka requested for a loan under the rapid financial instrument (RFI) window meant for countries that need urgent balance-of-payment support. While IMF was not initially inclined to grant the request for the loan, India has also made representations on behalf of Sri Lanka, Sabry said in a statement made by Sri Lanka's Finance Ministry.

"It had been communicated that IMF will consider the special request made despite it being outside of the standard circumstances for the issuance of an RFI", the statement read.

Sri Lanka has been undergoing its worst economic crisis, with fuel, food, and medicine shortages leading to public protests calling for the President's resignation.