Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe of pushing the country into further economic hardship by disregarding the IMF’s recommendations.
Speaking at a United People’s Power (SJB) special meeting in Nugegoda today, Premadasa pointed out that Sri Lanka’s 22 million people have already suffered due to events like the Easter attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic collapse.
He emphasized that recovery should come through economic growth, not by shrinking the economy and imposing taxes on struggling citizens.
Premadasa also criticized the government’s decision to begin repaying IMF loans by 2028 instead of 2033, warning that the country lacks sufficient export revenue to sustain such payments.
He said that small and medium enterprises are collapsing, while garment factories are shutting down, adding that there is no effective plan to boost exports, leading the country into a deeper financial trap. (Newswire)