IMF set for talks with Sri Lanka's Opposition

COLOMBO (News 1st); A meeting is set to take place between a delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and key opposition figures in Sri Lanka, at the President's Office.

President Ranil Wickramasinghe over the weekend initiated discussions to facilitate the leaders in the oppositions for a deliberation on the proposals put forth by the IMF. 

Invitations have been extended to prominent opposition figures including Sajith Premadasa, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and S. Sridharan, leader of the Tamil National Alliance, with an open invitation for additional participants to acconmany them.

The President's Media Division said that the President Wickremesinghe had underscored the critical importance of successfully advancing the IMF program for the country’s reconstruction. To this end, he emphasizes the necessity of collective accountability from all parties involved.

Key figures set to participate in the discussions include Ministers of State for Finance Shehan Semasinghe and Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake, Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Secretary to the Treasury and Finance Ministry K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena and Senior Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga.

However, some notable absences from the discussion include the Samagi Janabalawega, whose official stance is non-participation, as communicated to the President's office.

Similarly, the Jathika Jana Balavegaya has declined participation, as articulated by MP Vijitha Herath.

While certain parties such as the Sri Lanka Freedom Party await formal invitations, others like the Tamil National People's Front lament the lack of invitation altogether.

The Ilangai Tamil Arasu Katchchi presents a divided stance, with S. Sridharan opting out of participation while MP M.A. Sumanthiran, intend to engage in the discourse.

In contrast, Tamil National Alliance leader R. Sampanthan has confirmed participation.

Expressing a nuanced perspective, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Rauf Hakeem acknowledges the significance of the President's initiative but underscores the importance of timely invitations to such discussions.