Independent Presidential Candidate and current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, revealed that a crucial discussion between the Sri Lankan government and international sovereign bondholders will take place tomorrow (19th). This meeting is expected to finalize Sri Lanka’s path out of bankruptcy, securing much-needed international support.
Addressing a large crowd at the “Ranil Can” victory rally in Matara Uyanwatta Stadium today (18th), Wickremesinghe expressed satisfaction with his progress, stating, “I was entrusted with a task, and I am pleased to report that by September 21, the work has been successfully completed.”
Reflecting on his tenure, Wickremesinghe highlighted the country’s recovery: “I inherited a bankrupt nation with no foreign reserves, and our bondholders had lost confidence in us. Over the past two years, we’ve worked to rebuild debt sustainability, reaching key agreements with the IMF, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank. Tomorrow’s talks with bondholders will mark the final step in resolving our bankruptcy.”
He emphasized the broader international cooperation, noting, “We have reached agreements with 18 nations and a separate understanding with China, creating a framework that acknowledges our debt sustainability and moves us toward development.”
Wickremesinghe also criticized opposition leaders Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake for failing to take action two years ago, questioning their ability to lead now. He warned that canceling the IMF agreement, as proposed by the opposition, would undo the progress made, stating, “Do they want to take us back to shortages and long queues? If we continue on this path, we can strengthen the rupee, reduce the cost of living, and develop the nation.”
He urged the people to choose wisely between a proven path and the uncertainty offered by the opposition: “Should we trust those who ran away from responsibility when the country needed leadership?”
