Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has underscored the importance of adhering to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, urging both the government and opposition to base their economic critiques within the framework of this accord.
In a special statement issued today (19), Wickremesinghe emphasized that abandoning the agreement is not an option, warning that such a move would plunge Sri Lanka back into economic turmoil.
“We must move forward and protect the IMF agreement. Exiting it is not feasible for either the government or the opposition,” he stated.
Wickremesinghe revealed that Sri Lanka is on track to issue new international bond coupons before December 20, marking a significant step toward economic recovery. “All necessary preparations are complete. The next step is to declare that we have emerged from bankruptcy, enabling banks to offer essential relief measures,” he explained.
He also highlighted the importance of providing relief to citizens, noting that the income tax payment threshold has been increased from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000. He added, “I proposed raising the threshold to Rs. 200,000, but the IMF did not approve it. We must strengthen the economy before offering further relief.”
Wickremesinghe reiterated the necessity of maintaining the IMF program in all circumstances. Addressing the opposition, he remarked, “Criticism is a vital part of democracy, but it should remain within the framework of the IMF agreement. Irresponsible criticism will not help the nation.”
The former President concluded by reaffirming that staying committed to the IMF program is essential for long-term economic stability.
