Ranil, Sajith 2nd round of talks couldn’t come at a better time

By Sanath Nanayakkare

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that an IMF staff team plans to visit Colombo during August 24-31 to continue discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities on economic and financial reforms and policies. Meanwhile, a positive political development is likely to happen at the same time as Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa is preparing to meet with President Ranil Wickramasinghe for the second time to have discussions in order to help build the country through a meaningful reform process.

The loan package being negotiated with the IMF is for between US $2 billion and US $3 billion, according to President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He said that he would present an interim budget in September focusing on fiscal consolidation measures agreed with the IMF.

Political analysts say that if the President and the Opposition Leader can work alongside within an all-party policy framework, it would practically facilitate the fiscal consolidation programme agreed with the IMF, and also would help bring in overdue economic reforms to rectify the long-standing policy missteps that landed the country in the present crisis. The Opposition Leader said in Yatiyantota yesterday that he wouldn’t involve himself in a ‘political gamble’ at the expense of the people, but would support a candid all-party framework to help redress the grievances of the people, but wouldn’t pursue portfolios in the process.”

Premadasa said he would create a programme that supports the positive and progressive proposals brought by the government and would never betray the wishes of the people.He also said that he would never contribute to destroy the remaining dollars by getting ministerial positions and stressed that there is no need for positions to build the country which has collapsed in all fields at the moment.Meanwhile, SJB MP Rajitha Senaratne said yesterday that he would help the formation of an all-party government considering the current situation of the country.SLPP MP Chandima Weerakkody told the media yesterday that everybody should rally round a maximum possible reform and restoration programme at the minimum cost to the country.