SJB ready for IMF discussions, says Madduma Bandara

Wednesday, 28 August 2024 00:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara has announced that the SJB is prepared to participate in any discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

This statement issued yesterday comes in response to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent remarks at the United National Party Conference, where he expressed his willingness to hold video discussions with the IMF regarding the agreement and related issues, inviting the SJB and others to join and share their views.

(https://www.ft.lk/front-page/President-challenges-Sajith-and-Anura-to-open-IMF-discussion/44-765988#:

~:text=President%20Ranil%20Wickremesinghe%20yesterday%20issued,International%20Monetary%20Fund%20(IMF).

Madduma Bandara highlighted that it was the SJB that first anticipated the economic crisis and urged the Government to engage with the IMF as early as August 2020.

He emphasised that SJB leader Sajith Premadasa was the first to advocate for seeking IMF assistance, even before Sri Lanka was officially declared bankrupt.

He also noted that Premadasa consistently met with IMF representatives during their visits to Sri Lanka, conveying the SJB’s concerns about the need to revisit certain conditions that adversely affect the common man.

Madduma Bandara further said the party is aware that some of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s stances, presented as IMF proposals and conditions, do not align with the actual recommendations made by the IMF. As a result, the SJB is willing to engage in any discussions with the IMF to clarify these matters.