Policy Statement:

New staff level agreement to be signed shortly

By Saman Indrajith

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said that the government hoped to sign a new staff level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by 23 Nov.Delivering the new government’s policy statement at the commencement of the 10th parliament, the President said: “We inherited a country already bound by an agreement with the IMF when we assumed office. Breaking away from this agreement is not an option if we aim to progress.”

The President said that there had been a delay in the third review, initially scheduled for September, owing to the recent elections.

The President said that soon after the 14 Nov. general elections the IMF had resumed discussions with the government. “We are engaged in extensive discussions, and we are hopeful of finalising the staff-level agreement within this week. Signing the new agreement will mark a decisive step in advancing the IMF programme,” he added.

The President said that signing the staff-level agreement with the IMF was a crucial step towards building a stable and reliable economic future for Sri Lanka, stating, “The current economic climate leaves no room for error. By moving forward decisively, we can restore public and international confidence in our economy.”

Addressing the challenges of debt restructuring, the President explained that much of the groundwork had already been completed before his administration took office. “Bilateral debt restructuring agreements were finalised, and discussions on sovereign bonds concluded just days before the Presidential Election. Debating whether these agreements are good or bad is futile at this stage. Debt restructuring was at its final stages when we assumed power, and reopening discussions would stall economic progress for a longer period. Separate agreements with creditor nations will follow soon, while the sovereign bond agreement is expected to conclude by December”.

President Dissanayake emphasised the importance of public accountability, highlighting that the Parliament is no longer a concealed institution to the public. “The Parliament is no longer a hidden cave. Daily proceedings are open to public scrutiny. As representatives of the people, everything we do—how we speak, how we behave—is under their watchful eye. The public’s duty does not end with electing us; they have the right to scrutinise us until the next mandate. I believe this Parliament is capable of passing such scrutiny.”

Addressing the public sector’s critical role, President Dissanayake underlined the historic mandate given to his government by the public sector and the need to transform the public service into an efficient and people-centered institution.

“The mandate we received is the highest ever from public servants. Yet, neither the public nor public employees are satisfied with the state of the public service today. Our responsibility is to create a public service that satisfies both those who work in the sector and the people they serve,” he stated.

The President added: “The public servants’ mandate represents their partiality in our policy for establishing a favourable public service. We cannot move forward without a strong public service. Public sector activity is important for the political authority as well.”

Dissanayake also reaffirmed his commitment to establishing an efficient and impartial public sector that works in the people’s favor, asserting that “an effective public service is vital for political authority and public confidence alike.”

“No one should be left behind based on religion, culture, language, or political ideology. Freedom belongs to everyone. It is our collective responsibility to create a democratic and free nation where people can live without fear or doubt.

“A cornerstone of this effort is upholding the rule of law. This cannot be achieved solely through legislation passed in Parliament; laws must be implemented effectively. The public must feel that justice is served. Over the past years, public trust in the legal system has been severely eroded.”

“The government and the presidency are not above the law. Authority figures will remain accountable. No one with authority is above the law. We are not here to exact revenge, but to ensure everyone’s right to participate in politics freely.”

The President assured that justice will be served to victims of all high-profile and controversial crimes, and those found guilty will face punishment, noting, “This is essential for restoring public confidence in the legal system.”

“We must create a government where laws are fair and justice prevails. Failing to establish with this kind of a mandate would mean that we will never be able to do that. Without justice and fairness in addressing corruption and crime, the dreams of this country will perish.”

President Dissanayake said that there would be no room for racial politics or religious extremism hereafter in the country. He said that all the people who voted for the NPP and those who didn’t are citizens of the country and that fulfilling the needs and expectations of all these citizens is the responsibility of the government. “Therefore, our government and I are duty-bound and committed to fulfilling the needs of the people,” he said.

“We can have various political views and opinions. But I will tell you one thing with responsibility; racial politics will not be allowed in the country again. At the same time, no form of religious extremism will be allowed to raise its head. We are a people who have been affected by more than enough racial tensions. It is the responsibility of us all who are representing this parliament, to ensure that such a nation is not created for the future generations,” he said.

“We can have any slogans to engage in politics, be it economic slogans or democratic slogans. However, I assure you that no one will be allowed to utilize racist and extremist slogans to come into power again in the country hereafter.”

Parliament meets again at 09.30 am on Dec 03.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the New Democratic Front (NDF) have yet to fill their national list MP positions due to ongoing internal disagreements.

The SJB is entitled to five national list seats and the NDF to two. The SJB has nominated its General Secretary, Ranjith Maddumabandara so far, while the NDF General Secretary has chosen former minister Ravi Karunanayake.

The SJB is deliberating on filling its four vacant seats from a shortlist of six potential candidates: Dullas Alahapperuma, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, Sujeewa Senasinghe, Eran Wickramaratne, Tissa Attanayake, and Mano Ganesan. These names were proposed during the SJB parliamentary group meeting held on Wednesday evening.

Maddumabandara, speaking to the media after the meeting, said around 35 individuals were vying for National List positions.

Premadasa said, “After the 2020 general election, the UNP took nearly a year to appoint its national list MP, and there was no fuss.”

Police arrested ten suspects with 160 kilos of methamphetamine ( commonly known as ICE) and 10 kilos of heroin at Nagoda, Galle, police spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa announced yesterday (21).

The street value of the drugs is estimated at 5 billion rupees (about 17 million U.S. dollars), the DIG said.

The arrests were made following a tip off to Matara Divisional Crimes Detection Bureau (DCDB), he said.”A few days ago, we received information that drugs had been brought into the country in a boat through the Gandara fishery fisheries harbour and despatched to Nagoda. We sent a team and arrested the suspects and seized the drugs,” he said

Acting IGP, Senior DIG Priyantha Weerasooriya inspected the drugs yesterday morning.

“This is the largest detection of drugs on land in recent times. More suspects, boats and vehicles used by drug smugglers too will be taken into custody soon. This detection is also important because this is the first such raid by a regional police division,” he said.