President challenges Sajith and Anura to open IMF discussion

President Ranil Wickremesinghe 

• Asserts to reveal truth behind public promises
• Insists not to mislead public and jeopardise country’s progress 
• Says true UNP members have always prioritised country, welfare of people 

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday issued a public challenge to Opposition Leaders Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, calling on them to engage in an open virtual discussion with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The President proposed this move during a speech at the Special Convention of the United National Party (UNP) held yesterday at the party headquarters ‘Sirikotha’ in Pitakotte.

Wickremesinghe believes such a discussion would allow the entire nation to assess the truthfulness of their public promises and statements.

“I urge the SJB and JVP to clarify how they plan to fund the country if taxes are reduced. How will cutting State revenues address the country’s economic issues? We must avoid jeopardising the country with false promises. We plan to hold a discussion with the IMF using electronic technology, involving all three parties. We will record this discussion and present it to the public to ensure transparency regarding the IMF’s stance and our economic strategy,” he said.

Wickremesinghe urged both Premadasa and Dissanayake to present any alternative solutions they might have and to voice their opinions during the proposed discussion with the IMF.

Wickremesinghe asserted that both the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) have suggested revising the IMF program. “If this occurs, the IMF may withhold funding for the coming year, potentially leading us back to previous economic challenges. Restarting discussions with the IMF could take two to three months, followed by an additional six weeks for approval by the IMF Board of Directors. It is impractical to go without financial support for six months,” he pointed out.

The President stressed the importance of constructive dialogue in ensuring that Sri Lanka does not fall back into economic hardship.

“If you believe that this agreement with the IMF can be altered, then directly address the IMF and request such a change. Additionally, explain how you plan to generate the necessary income if the goals are not met. We need clear answers to these questions. If you have a viable plan, present it to the public transparently,” he added.

He proposed the representatives from all three parties to come together to negotiate with the IMF and share the outcomes of those discussions with the nation, noting that it will allow the public to discern the truth and any falsehoods. “Afterward, if anyone is dissatisfied, they can express their concerns clearly,” he said.

Wickremesinghe categorically said, according to the Government’s agreement with the IMF, they have specific targets to meet and it is crucial to adhere to these goals.

“However, the Opposition’s election manifesto promises reductions in the prices of goods and taxes. Lowering taxes would reduce Government revenue, jeopardising our ability to meet IMF targets and potentially leading to a return to the economic conditions of July 2022. Although I too wish to lower taxes, this must be achieved through a stronger rupee. We have already initiated a program to this end. Despite the difficulties, it is essential to continue on this path, as short-term popular decisions may not serve the country’s long-term future,” he explained.

Wickremesinghe advocated that the country must avoid repeating past mistakes. “When former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reduced taxes despite the IMF’s clear stance against such cuts, the IMF subsequently withdrew its support. Our current agreement ensures that we receive approximately $ 700 million from the IMF, the Asian Development Bank, and the World Bank every six months. This funding will support us till January. The IMF is scheduled to return for further discussions in October,” he added.

Reflecting on the hardships faced by the people, Wickremesinghe acknowledged the struggles with gas, fuel, medicine, and food shortages. 

Wickremesinghe emphasised that the protection of fundamental rights and national welfare remains the UNP’s top priority.

In his address, he recalled the legacy of D.S. Senanayake, the founder of the UNP, and emphasised his dedication to preserving the Sri Lankan identity.

“On 6 September 1946, he declared that the primary duty of the UNP was to protect Sri Lanka. We should all think of ourselves not just as members of the UNP but as Sri Lankans. If Sri Lanka fails, the UNP will also be at risk. This is the message we received from leaders such as Dudley Senanayake, J.R. Jayewardene, and Ranasinghe Premadasa. As a Sri Lankan, I accepted the role of Prime Minister and subsequently the Presidency to save this country,” he said.

Wickremesinghe stressed that he took on these responsibilities because he witnessed the suffering of our people in gas, fuel, medicine, and food queues. “When the people face such hardships, we must empathise with them and work to address these issues. Failing to do so would be a grave injustice,” he added.

Wickremesinghe said no one, including Sajith Premadasa, the leader of the SJB, has worked under President J.R. Jayewardene or President R. Premadasa. “I was also responsible for bringing Sajith into the party, so their understanding of these issues is limited. They do not have the insight of leaders like D.S. Senanayake. Consequently, they chose to leave the party, which is not surprising. As members of the UNP, our priority is always the country’s welfare,” he added.

In the 2020 election, he said the UNP’s policy statement highlighted the need for $ 3 billion to address the economic crisis. “Neither the SJB nor the JVP addressed this issue. We were defeated for speaking the truth, but we understood the gravity of the situation. I engaged with the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, recognising that the problem could be resolved with the assistance of the IMF,” he stated. 

He also recalled that, after former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left the country, no one sought the Presidency. “When I requested support, Sajith Premadasa, influenced by ‘Sattambhirala’, chose to back Dallas Alahapperuma. It is important to remember that when Premadasa sought to impeach the President, I stepped in to support him. I also attended his funeral, yet these efforts seem to be forgotten. Throughout, I have consistently defended this party,” he said.

He cited that in the 1971 JVP rebellion, then-President J.R. Jayewardene declared his support for the Government, explaining that if the country were lost, nothing else would matter. Similarly, in 1989, when the JVP insurgency erupted again, then-President Ranasinghe Premadasa invited Late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike for discussions. She agreed to support the Government, demonstrating a longstanding tradition of unity among political parties in times of crisis. “When the Late President Premadasa was assassinated, Late Sirimavo Bandaranaike assured me that her party would not nominate a candidate for President, but would instead support someone from our party. Such customs of mutual support have long been a part of our political tradition, even though some may not be aware of this history,” he pointed out.

Facing the current challenges, Wickremesinghe said he accepted the task of addressing these issues and assembled a dedicated team. 

“Ranjith Siyambalapitiya and Shehan Semasinghe were appointed as State Ministers and I collaborated with key Ministers including Ali Sabry, Kanchana Wijesekera, and Bandula Gunawardena. This collaborative effort proved successful. Additionally, I worked closely with Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and Mahinda Siriwardana, with Sagala Ratnayaka serving as my Chief of Staff. Contributions from Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, Shantha Devara,j and Shamini Cooray were also instrumental. Together, this team played a crucial role in stabilising and saving the country’s economy,” he acknowledged.

Meanwhile, he said Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena took charge of Parliament, with significant support from Ministers. 

“The task was challenging, but through collective effort, we managed to stabilise the country. We initiated a program with the IMF and engaged in discussions with 18 countries, leading to agreements that have helped bring the country to its current state. During this period, we had to implement tax increases to boost Government revenue. While we acknowledge the burden this placed on the people and are grateful for their endurance, we have worked to alleviate this pressure gradually, providing relief where possible. These concessions were made possible by strengthening the rupee,” he said. 

UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara introduced a proposal to express the party’s agreement, which was unanimously passed by attendees, while the UNP National Organiser Sagala Ratnayaka confirmed the resolution, which marked the party’s endorsement of Wickremesinghe’s leadership and economic strategy. 

UNP National Organiser, Chief of Staff to the President, and Senior Adviser on National Security Sagala Ratnayaka, UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardana, UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, UNP National Secretary and former Minister Ravi Karunanayake, UNP Vice Leader and Senior Adviser to the President Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, UNP Deputy Leader and Senior Adviser to the President on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardena, and former Ministers Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando also spoke at the event.