President seeks media support to make IMF program a success

President Ranil Wickremesinghe chairs the meeting with heads of print and electronic media yester-day at the Presidential Secretariat. Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Investment Promotion State Minister Dilum Amungama nd Media Ministry Secretary Anusha Pelpita look on. Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, and President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake were also present

• Points to misinformation and influence by media as part of the reasons why previous 16 IMF programs didn’t succeed, cites media bashing on US Millennium Challenge Corporation program 
• Wickremesinghe takes a dig at Daily FT over Columnists view on IMF program
• Stresses future rests on whether Sri Lanka implements 17th IMF program or not
• Warns ‘If we don’t do it, we will be cursed by the future generations’

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday sought support from the media to ensure Sri Lanka gets its 17th support program worth $ 2.9 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) right.

Addressing editors of print and electronic media, Wickremesinghe said that lack of support and misinformation by media was among reasons why previous 16 programs with the IMF didn’t succeed.

“Why have we not completed it? Because it came under political influence. It was the media that created public opinion. This time I urge the media to assist us in making this programme a success,” said the President who added that: “So this time, I decided I must meet and talk to the media first.”

Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka has a new opportunity hence it›s a historic process.

“What I›d like you (the media) to do is to support us in this venture. The future of Sri Lanka rests on whether we go ahead with this agreement or not, whether we implement this agreement or not. If we don›t do it, we will be cursed by the future generations,” the President stressed.

He referred to misinformation by the media even after the IMF Executive Board approved the latest four-year Extended Fund Facility. The President also took a dig at the Daily FT alleging that there had been articles to the effect that the IMF program would spark revolution against it.  He referred to how misinformation by the media derailed a very favourable US-supported Millennium Corporation Challenge program.

“When the MCC was presented they alleged that the country was to be divided. When the IMF was introduced, they said we were going to be dominated by the West,” the President pointed out and emphasised “Don›t spread such stories.”

Acknowledging that all government and media made mistakes, Wickremesinghe said that at least now agree with the latest IMF program and extend support.

President also referred to media reports that he assumed the Presidency to protect thieves. “But we are bringing the best anti-corruption bill in Asia in consultation with the IMF. The opposition›s shouting did not bring anything. Those who were with me over a long period and supported these policies are now speaking against me. We are in a difficult place now. We can’t play the old games again. If we do that, we will fall again. Let›s forget the old games and the past and move forward,” the President stressed during the meeting with the head of print and electronic media.

He assured that the Government doesn’t want to suppress the media. “I hear the most criticism from the media. I also lost the media. I am the one who removed the criminal law imposed on the media. I was the one who gave the right to know the information. Independent commissions were brought to Parliament three times. So how do I suppress the media?,” Wickremesinghe queried.