Harsha accuses NPP of contradicting pre-election promises on IMF and debt restructuring

• Claims before election, NPP opposed working with IMF and promised to change DSA
• Alleges post-election NPP has not followed through on promises to renegotiate terms of IMF agreement
• Says NPP has agreed to implement debt restructuring program without any modifications, despite earlier promises of change

Former Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. Harsha de Silva has accused President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the National People’s Power (NPP) of breaking their pre-election promises regarding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement and debt restructuring.

He claims that the NPP’s statements before and after the election are contradictory, misleading the public on critical economic policies. 

Speaking at a press conference held at the SJB headquarters over the weekend, Dr. de Silva highlighted the inconsistencies in the NPP’s approach. He said that before the election, President Dissanayake had strongly opposed working with the IMF, declaring on the campaign trail that no country had ever benefitted from an IMF program. The NPP also voted against IMF agreements in Parliament and assured the public that they would alter the Debt Sustainability Analysis (DSA), which serves as the foundation of the IMF’s debt restructuring program.

However, after coming into power, Dr. de Silva claims the NPP has not followed through on these promises. “The debt sustainability analysis has not changed. The NPP Government has agreed to all the terms set by the IMF, and there has been no attempt to renegotiate,” he said.

According to Dr. de Silva, the NPP’s claim that it would change the DSA was a false promise made to win public support.

He further criticised the NPP for failing to act on promises related to public sector salaries.

Before the election, the NPP pledged to raise Government employee salaries every six months and implement the Subodhani Report to increase teachers’ wages. “Now, there is no talk about salary increments or the Subodhani Report,” Dr. de Silva pointed out.

Dr. de Silva also highlighted the NPP’s promises regarding loan audits and debt restructuring. Before the election, the NPP stated that loans would be audited, and those responsible for fraudulent loans would be held accountable. “They said they would only restructure loans taken for the benefit of the people and not for the stolen money. But since taking office, there has been no word on this,” Dr. de Silva said.

He accused the NPP of agreeing to implement the debt restructuring program in full without any modifications. “They are continuing the agreement with the IMF as it is, without making the changes they promised during the campaign,” Dr. de Silva added.

Dr. de Silva concluded by stating that the NPP’s actions after the election are in stark contrast to the bold statements made before. He emphasised that the NPP deceived the public by creating false hopes about changing the IMF agreement and implementing economic reforms.

“What the NPP said before the election and what they are doing now are completely different,” he said, accusing the NPP of misleading voters and breaking their promises.