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Lanka cannot abandon IMF framework, must strengthen foreign ties – Ranil
Sri Lanka must embrace rapid economic growth and bold reforms to secure its future, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe asserted, warning that the country cannot afford to remain stagnant.
Joining Ada Derana’s current affairs programme @hydepark, the former President emphasized that reforms are required for the country’s economy to move forward, while questioning whether the current government is willing to take the necessary steps.
“This economy is not a fully market economy. We have to do the reforms. To go ahead, we have to make major changes,” he said, adding that “I don’t know if the current government is willing to make the changes from the statements they have made. But without major changes, without getting foreign money, being friendly with countries … we have to work with India as the first step. We can’t be by ourselves in this world.”
Speaking on Sri Lanka’s foreign relations, economic policies, and the challenges ahead, Wickremesinghe defended his leadership during the financial crisis and outlined the necessary steps to drive recovery and long-term stability.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe defended his handling of Sri Lanka’s foreign relations and economic crisis during his tenure, stating that his government pursued a strategy of “multi-alignment” rather than balancing between global powers.
“We align with all our friends. We had a good relationship with China, and that relationship continued. We had big projects, like Hambantota Port, Port City, but unless Sri Lanka grows, they can’t get a return on these projects.”
“The framework has been laid [during my tenure], the question is if they are going to continue or not. If you stand by your word and you’re really upto performance, your economy is strong. If you don’t do that, the rest is useless.”
Addressing the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of maintaining policy consistency. “We have stabilized the economy. The next phase is recovery. Investments lead not only to recovery but also to growth, and you [the current government] have to start now.”
He dismissed suggestions that Sri Lanka could have avoided an IMF bailout, stating, “We could not recover without going through the IMF. If not, where will you find the money? All our creditor nations and bondholders wanted an IMF certificate. Sri Lanka has broken many agreements with the IMF in the past, but under my leadership, we did not.”
Furthermore, the former President added: “You should continue the same policies, if you are amending the IMF agreement, it must be within the framework and the debt sustainability analysis and the EFF agreements and it must be agreed to by the IMF.
“Everyone has to take responsibility. IMF is also answerable to creditor nations and private bond holders. They are very, very careful, you can’t be changing things like earlier. You have to stick to it. If you want to change the economic transformation act, you have to say what it is. I mean there’s a lot of loose talk here. So far, I don’t see much of implementation taking place which I think is going to be the major problem.”
He also expressed views over the government borrowing Rs. 700 billion from the domestic market despite previous assurances against it, citing revenue shortfalls. “One treasury official said yesterday that they lost about Rs. 60 billion due to tax amendments, but some claim it to be even more. When the IMF review team arrives in early April, they will have to address this. But it’s a bit worrying that we have these figures.”
Wickremesinghe said: “We need not to be poor. We can have a trillion dollar economy. You must go for it. But to do that, you must understand the realities of economics and the current geopolitics. We have to live with it. We must know to get the best out of the world.”
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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Kalutara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura effective from 0400hrs on 12th June 2026 to 0400hrs on 13th June 2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Palindanuwara in the Kalutara district, Doluwa in the Kandy district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ayagama, Ratnapura, Godakawela, Kalawana and Nivitigala in the Ratnapura district
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Wife, counsel seek regular access to ex-Spy Chief Sallay held under President’s detention order
Wife of former State Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay has asked CID Director retired SSP Shani Abeysekera to allow her, her family members and lawyers to visit her husband in the National Hospital, Colombo. Sallay’s counsel has also written to Abeysekera, asking for permission to visit the former spy held on a detention order signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
The text of Manori’s letter: “I respectfully request your assistance in granting me, and my daughter or alternatively my son, permission to visit my husband, Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently at the National Hospital, Colombo.
“As you are aware, my husband is presently engaged in a fast-unto-death campaign. His physical condition and emotional well-being are of deep concern to our family. During this difficult period, the presence and support of his immediate family are extremely important to him.
“I firmly believe that regular visits from me with our daughter or our son would help uplift his spirits, provide him with much-needed emotional strength, and may encourage him to reconsider continuing this course of action. Family support can play a vital role in preserving his mental and emotional health while he remains hospitalised.
“In view of these exceptional circumstances, I kindly request that permission be granted for either me and my daughter or my son to visit him daily during the period of his hospitalisation.
“I would be most grateful for your compassionate consideration of this request.”
“The text of the counsel’s letter: “I write in my capacity as Counsel for Rtd. Major General Suresh Sallay, who is presently under detention and admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo.
As you are aware, Major General Sallay has embarked on a fast-unto-death campaign, giving rise to serious concerns regarding his physical and mental well-being. In these circumstances, it is imperative that I be granted reasonable and regular access to my client during his hospitalisation.
As his legal representative, I have a professional obligation to monitor his condition and obtain instructions from him so that I may accurately apprise the relevant courts of his health status and any developments affecting his rights and welfare. Effective legal representation requires continuous communication with my client, particularly in light of the grave circumstances presently confronting him.
I also wish to respectfully highlight that Major General Sallay has placed explicit trust and confidence in me as his counsel. Indeed, I was the first person he contacted following his arrest.
Given the trust he reposes in me, I believe I am uniquely positioned to engage with him constructively and persuade him to discontinue this campaign and instead place his confidence in the legal remedies and judicial processes available to him.
For these reasons, I respectfully request that I be granted permission to visit my client on a daily basis during the period of his hospitalization.
Such access would not only facilitate the discharge of my professional responsibilities but may also contribute meaningfully towards safeguarding his health and encouraging a resolution through lawful and institutional means.
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CIABOC summons Yoshitha over his participation in British Navy training programme
Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who served as a Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Navy, has now been summoned to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption next Tuesday (16) for questioning over his participation in a Royal Navy training programme in the United Kingdom outside established procedures.
The Commission is expected to record statements in relation to several complaints received regarding his recruitment and subsequent service in the Navy after he enlisted on December 14, 2006.
According to sources, the investigation focuses on allegations concerning the educational qualifications considered at the time of his enlistment, as well as foreign training opportunities he is said to have received while in service, which are suspected to have been granted in violation of due process.
The Bribery Commission has launched the inquiry under the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act, officials said.
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