No queues because we have stopped repaying our debt, but we’ll be back in trouble when repayments begin – Chief Opposition Whip

By Akitha Perera

There were no queues for essential items because Sri Lanka had stopped repaying its debt and the queues would return once debt servicing resumed, chief opposition whip and Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) MP Lakshman Kiriella said.

“We will start repaying our debt next year or thereafter. How will we manage then?” he asked.

The SJB MP said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his ministers were travelling around the world urging various countries to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt. So far nothing concrete had taken place, he said.

“The government should also help Sri Lankans who are in debt. It should try to help Sri Lankan manufacturers so that they can be competitive in the world market and earn foreign exchange. The banks are making massive profits, and we can assist targeted sectors,” he said.

MP KIriella said that the government was trying to convince people that the economy was picking up. However, its ministers were embezzling money and people were not even getting essential medicines, he said.

“This is temporary relief. We need 12 billion dollars a year for food and debt repayment. How will we find this money?” the MP asked.