Business leader turned Investment Promotion Minister Dhammika Perera yesterday called for what he described as “Aragalagaya for Dollars” from the Opposition including the leftist activist group Peratugami which has been backing the months-long anti-Rajapaksa protest at GoGotaGama at Galle Face.

During his remarks to the media at the Department of Immigration and Emigration which is overseen by his Ministry, Dhammika stressed that lack of foreign reserves and currency crisis is the biggest cause for the shortage of essentials including fuel and LPG.

Recalling that as a youth he too was engaged in “aragalaya” in the late 1980s, Dhammika said Peratugami (Frontline Socialist Party) firebrand Kumar Gunaratnam is two years elder and JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was one year younger.

“We trio were in the same struggle movement when we were 19 and 25 years of age. No point repeating the same old Aragalayas today,” Dhammika opined.

“If you want to protest on 9th (referring to the planned mass anti-government rally on Saturday), in the country's interest we need to do an Aragalaya in search of dollars. If we don’t do this, the country will head towards the worst disaster. We all need to come with solutions,” Dhammika said.

He also urged Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya Leader Sajith Premadasa to come up with placards containing new solutions to increase dollar inflows.

“If protestors can come up with solutions to boost inflow of dollars, then all can ensure Sri Lanka which will not face the current crisis in the future,” Dhammika pointed out.

Dhammika demands Ranil to resign as Finance Minister