President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed hope that Sri Lanka will be able to shed its bankruptcy status by September and urged everyone to work collectively to back the Government’s efforts.
The President also mentioned that a Climate Prosperity Plan was launched in November, which means that more resources are required, partially from the Government and partly from other investments, including private investments. As a result, the President stated that if Sri Lanka abandons the program, the country will immediately forfeit the $700 million that the World Bank is set to provide the country, and the second review will be a failure.
Sri Lanka in future will start playing a more active role in the area of debt and climate resilience and the President expressed confidence that Sri Lanka can make it with what it has got.
The President further said that Sri Lanka has a growth agenda which the Government has placed up for discussion with everyone involved. However, he said that completing the debt restructuring is critical. The President stated that he had already met with members of the Cabinet, Bankers, Chamber of Commerce representatives, and trade union representatives and held discussions.
The President also expressed confidence that not only can Sri Lanka get out of the present crisis, but can look ahead for a far more competitive economy.
