Former Parliamentarian Lakshman Wijemanne said that the loan received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a green light to progress. He made this comment at a media briefing held at United National Party (UNP) Headquarters Sirikotha, on Wednesday (29).
Wijemanne said when, as a Member of Parliament Ranil Wickremesinghe suggested that the country should approach the IMF, the Opposition mocked the suggestion.
“Wickremesinghe said that there would be a power crisis, a dollar problem and that the only solution for those would be to go to the IMF. What the then Government could not do at that time is being done single-handedly by the President today. President Wickremesinghe sought the cooperation of the Opposition but did not receive it,” Wijemanne said.
“President Wickremesinghe has put the country on a firm footing. He has brought the country to a somewhat decent position within a period of 8 months. We are due to receive UDS 7 billion in total from the IMF, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Twelve countries requested assistance from the IMF and only we have been able to receive such relief. We have to make difficult choices which may not be palatable, in order to help the country get over this difficult period. The people have understood the reality. Due to the green light received from the IMF, the Paris Club has granted a debt extension of 15 years. We should not light crackers when we receive loans. The sound of firecrackers clearly showed the hypocrisy of the Opposition, which tried to sabotage this procedure right along,” former MP said.
“The President is handling the country’s economy in a very pragmatic manner. While a single man is making such a sacrifice to bring the country out of the economic doldrums, a certain group is engaged in strikes because they are hypocrites. Port Trade Union leaders who engage in strikes cause billions in losses to the country. Who suffers these losses? It is the country that suffers. They went to areas such as Mirissa and Yala in Galle and engaged in protests. The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna goes to main tourist spots in Galle and engages in protests in order to destroy tourism. Those engaged in the tourism industry, who were unable to pay lease installments on their vehicles during the past had to resort to selling pork and roti. With the arrival of tourists once again, all of them have got their jobs back. Today, tourists are visiting our country in large numbers from around the world. These saboteurs are trying to destroy all that,” former MP Wijemanne said.
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