News
Opposition demands tabling of agreement with IMF
By Saman Indrajith
Opposition members yesterday demanded that the government table the IMF staff-level agreement in Parliament.
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the government had reached an agreement with the IMF. If the government needed its support for the IMF-recommended economic reforms, the Opposition needed to know the contents of the agreement at issue.
Premadasa said that Parliament had authority on public finance, and therefore the staff-level agreement with the IMF, should be tabled in Parliament.
Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Kandy District MP Lakshman Kiriella said that the IMF recommended reforms envisaged the sale of public ventures and the government had no mandate to privatise state enterprises.
“People voted for the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, which pledged not to privatise public enterprises. That was the mandate those in the government received. If they now try to restructure the public enterprises, they are acting against the mandate. We know that some state institutions have been listed for privatisation. There are people of over one million families serving in them. We are ready to support the process of restructuring the loss-making institutions, but you have to keep Parliament informed of this process,” Kiriella said.
SJB Colombo District MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance, Dr. Harsha de Silva said that the government would not be able to get the Opposition’s support to implement IMF-recommended economic reforms without appraising Parliament of the contents of the agreement.
SLPP dissident MP and Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises, Prof Charitha Herath said that Parliament had the authority on public finance as per Section 148 of the Standing Orders, and the government should table the staff-level agreement with the IMF in Parliament. “I do not think the government could table the agreement in its entirety, but it needs to inform the House of the framework of the contents of the agreement,” Prof Herath said.
SLPP dissident MP Gevindu Cumaratunga said that former Finance Minister Ali Sabry kept informing the House of the government’s financial agreements with other countries. “As it was transpired at the recent meeting with the Central Bank Governor in Parliament, there had been many such agreements where Parliament had been kept in the dark. The decisions must be taken after informing this House because finally if it would become the responsibility of the 225 MPs here,” Cumaratunga said.
Badulla District SJB MP Chaminda Wijesiri said that when Sri Lanka had started talks with the IMFRanil Wickremesinghe was an Opposition MP. “As an Opposition MP, Wickremesinghe asked the government to table all documents pertaining to negotiations with the IMF. Basil Rajapaksa was the Finance Minister and did not table the IMF documents.”
Leader of the House and Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said that the request would be put forward to the President and Prime Minister and the latter would keep the House informed on the staff-level agreement, as promised.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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