Ranil finds fault with Anura for being evasive on economic policy matters

President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday found fault with Anura Dissanayake for evading the question whether the NPP’s economic policy was focused on exports or imports. Speaking at a gathering of intellectuals and business leaders from the Kurunegala District at the Asliya Golden Cassandra Hotel, the President suggested that Dissanayake, along with fellow NPP members Sunil Handunnetti and Harshana Suriyapperuma, should first clarify their party’s economic policy in a separate debate before engaging in a discussion with him.

President Wickremesinghe offered to organise a video discussion that would include himself, Dissanayake, and Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He also indicated that despite Sajith Premadasa’s reluctance to allow others to speak, Premadasa could also be invited to join the discussion.

The President questioned why Dissanayake’s policy statement included a budget projecting Rs. 8,900 billion in expenditure and Rs. 4,900 billion in revenue, resulting in a deficit of Rs. 4,000 billion, which he argued could severely damage the country’s economy. He emphasised that rather than making vague promises, Dissanayake should present a clear and actionable economic policy.

The President highlighted concerns about the NPP’s financial plans, noting that fulfilling their promises would require Rs. 8,900 billion, while proposed tax concessions would reduce income to Rs. 4,900 billion, creating a significant deficit of Rs. 4,000 billion, or 11.9% of GDP. He questioned how such a strategy could advance the economy.

President Wickremesinghe also mentioned a previous lawsuit filed by Handunnetti and Suriyapperuma challenging the constitutionality of the export economy proposed in the Economic Transformation Act. He expressed skepticism about participating in a debate without clarity on the NPP’s economic strategy.

He proposed a debate involving Dissanayake, Handunnetti, and Suriyapperuma to determine whether their economic policy was export-oriented or import-oriented. Following this, he is willing to arrange a video discussion with Dissanayake and the IMF Managing Director.

The President also noted that despite Sajith Premadasa’s extensive speeches in Parliament, core issues remained unresolved, and Premadasa’s leadership. He questioned how Premadasa could be expected to lead the Opposition.

The meeting was attended by UNP Deputy Leader Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, MPs Ashanka Navaratne and Manjula Dissanayake, M.B. Dissanayake, Dr. Chaminda Mallasekera, Polgahawela UNP Zone Organizer Dhammi Rathnayake, and Kurunegala District UNP Zone Organizer Nuwan Liyanage, along with local political leaders, professionals, and businesspeople.

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