Dudley Sirisena Links Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis to 2015 Bond Scam

Colombo(News 1st); Businessman Dudley Sirisena says that the country’s economic downfall began with the major bond scam that occurred in 2015.

He pointed out that the country’s economic decline began in 2015, linking it directly to the large-scale bond scam involving the Central Bank that occurred on February 27 of that year. He emphasized that this financial scandal was the initial blow that severely weakened the economic strength of local businesses.

He also recalled that positive changes had been initiated earlier that year, following the inauguration of the new president in January 2015. However, the effects of the bond fraud undermined these early efforts.

Addressing the media and public, Sirisena invited those interested to engage in dialogue with him to help find practical solutions to the crisis.

Sirisena further highlighted how subsequent events worsened the economic situation, mentioning the ethnic tensions in Digana in 2018 that negatively impacted the tourism industry, followed by the devastating Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in 2019. He added that the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 compounded the country’s economic hardships.

Stressing the importance of national unity, Sirisena urged that the economic challenges should not be viewed solely as issues for the current president or government, but as problems that require collective responsibility and effort from all Sri Lankans.

He concluded by calling for significant sacrifice and dedication from the entire nation to overcome the crisis and rebuild the country’s economy.