IMF Team Will Be In Sri Lanka In Two Weeks; Ranil Warns Altering Deal Could Bring Sri Lanka Back to the Brink

COLOMBO (News 1st); Independent Presidential Candidate and President, Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that IMF representatives are scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in two weeks to disburse the next instalment of funds, as outlined in the agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the International Monetary Fund.

The President emphasized that on September 21, the public will have to decide whether to approve changes to the IMF agreement, which could result in losing the financial concessions currently on offer.

President Wickremesinghe made these statements while speaking at the "Ranil Can" (Ranil ta Puluwan) victory rally held at the Kalutara Public Stadium today (18).

“I ask the people if they can trust leaders who abandon their responsibilities at the first sign of trouble. Today, we have managed to steer our economy, which was once sinking like the Titanic, back on course. Now, the choice is whether to change the captain and alter our course while the ship is docked," he said.

"Currently, Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake are preparing to reverse the progress we have made. In two weeks, representatives from the International Monetary Fund will arrive in Sri Lanka to provide the next installment of funding. If we decide to alter the agreement, the IMF will withhold the funds, potentially leading to another economic collapse. It is up to the people to decide if we want to risk this."

"Anura Kumara Dissanayake has acknowledged that the economy has improved under my leadership and suggested that the current system might need to continue. Yet, he claims he will step down in a year and a half if he fails to make progress. I question why he seeks to take over if he is not prepared to lead effectively. Sajith and Anura have demonstrated that they are not capable of leading this country forward," elaborated Wickremesinghe.