Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa reiterated his party’s decision to reopen negotiations on the agreement between the Sri Lankan Government and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under a future Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Government. 

Speaking in parliament yesterday morning, Premadasa said the two parties would reach an agreement that would not impose additional burdens on the Sri Lankan public.

In reference to the recent approval granted by the IMF for the second tranche of funds under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Sri Lanka, Premadasa maintained that the global lender permitted the disbursement solely because of the increased electricity tariffs, Value Added Tax (VAT), and other taxes. He contended that these measures only served to increase the burden on the public.

“They have imposed taxes on every conceivable item, claiming it as the sole solution. Perhaps, for the Head of State affiliated with the SLPP group, which, with the support of the Rajapaksas, steered this country into bankruptcy, this might seem like the only way out. However, this is not the sole solution for our nation,” Premadasa asserted.

In September this year, Premadasa directly informed the IMF that his party will review the agreement reached with Sri Lanka if a new Government led by him takes office. At the time he declared that the agreement would be modified to cater to the needs of the working people and the public under an SJB Government. 

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