INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The best way to resolve the current crisis situation in the country is an all-party government, President Ranil Wickremesinghe says.He made
this remark delivering a special statement while at the President’s House in Kandy this evening (July 30).The Head of State, who is
currently on a visit to Kandy, also paid homage to Sri Dalada Maligawa
This marks his first visit to the historic landmark site after taking office as the President of Sri Lanka last week.On Friday (July 29),
President Wickremesinghe extended an invitation to all Members of Parliament to join discussions on forming an all-party government to
create economic and social stability in the country.Speaking further at the presidential residence in Kandy today, the Head of State said,
“Although I have accepted the presidency, the economic challenges faced by the people still continue to exist
Shortage of gas, fertilizer, fuel, rise in commodity prices, loss of employment, loss of capital for infrastructure projects exist in every
city of the country.”If we put the country’s situation into perspective, there will not be a country anymore if the situation further
deteriorates, President Wickremesinghe remarked.“The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to contract by 7 percent this
year, and we need to find solutions for this
There is no point in shouting out old battle cries without finding solutions,” he stressed.“Some people say the economic crisis occurred
because [former] President Gotabaya Rajapaksa did not bring down fertilizer
However, we say that this economic crisis happened because they did not go to the IMF [International Monetary Fund] in time
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) says that the reason for the economic crisis is the large number of loans taken by the previous
I would like to question if there is a point in debating about it instead of working towards solving it? Some say they are organizing
protest marches to tell me to go home
I kindly ask them not to do that because I don’t have a home now
If you are ready, kindly bring a large crowd to rebuild my residence
After the house is built, then come and ask me to go home
There is no point in telling a man who has no home, to go home
It is just a waste of time
Help build the country or build my house
But don’t tell me to go home.”The President also stated that the country is still engaged in old politics.Wickremesinghe said that after
he became the prime minister and finance minister earlier this year, Sri Lanka held discussions with the IMF and found a series of solutions
He added that he intended to come to a staff-level agreement with the IMF by July and get the IMF approval by August 01
“However, nothing happened since July 09 until now
Now it has been delayed until the end of August and we are expecting to get it approved by September only.”Speaking further, the President
said that the youths first gathered to the protest site saying that the country needs reforms and that he has no objection to that
However, certain people took over the protests and led it towards violence, he remarked.“Just because we take money from the IMF, do not
think that all problems will be solved
How will we pay these debts? We need more foreign exchange and need new ways to bring in forex to the country.”President Wickremesinghe
noted that the first duty of the authorities is to protect peace and uphold the law of the country, irrespective of the party
“This is why I invited the leaders of all parties in writing to join in creating an all-party government
The best way to solve the problems of the country is through an all-party government
Everyone accepts that this is how it must be done.”
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk
