World needs acceptable explanation

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa should make an acceptable statement to the world about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Parliament, Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said in Boralasgamuwa yesterday (12).

The Minister said this while playing the audio tape of a statement made by the Opposition Leader in the rally defaming the International Monetary Fund.

The statement of Premadasa which was included in that audio tape is as follows.

“We say one thing to the International Monetary Fund, that a SJB government is not bound to implement any agreement with the IMF. 

You don’t have to bend down to deal with the IMF. But we must deal with it like lions with its back straight. If you deal with the IMF, you can get concessions that will benefit you. But as of today, both the SLPP and the UNP go to the IMF and bow down themselves and say, IMF Lord, we do everything you say.”

We say one thing to the IMF and the International Lending Agencies that a SJB government is not bound to implement any agreement or pledge made by this government, which has a president without a mandate, Premadasa said.

Commenting on Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s statement, Minister Dr. Gunawardena said that if the IMF agreement is disrupted in any way at this time when this country is facing an unprecedented crisis, no matter what government in power, Sri Lanka will not be able to continue for more than a month.

The minister made these comments while addressing candidates contesting the upcoming Local Government election at the Golden Rose Hotel in Boralasgamuwa yesterday afternoon.

“Whether we like it or not, we have to import petroleum, gas, fertilizers, chemicals, foods, raw materials and machinery from other countries of the world,”he said.

Although the politicians don’t know it, all the importers in Sri Lanka know that a letter of credit is required to import goods from abroad. If these letters of credit are not accepted by other countries or if our country is not trusted internationally, they will not ship any goods to this country.” If there is a situation where it is not possible to conduct international transactions due to ignorance in this way, all the political leaders in Sri Lanka should make a statement in a way that the world can accept that how Sri Lanka will be governed.”

“It is the responsibility of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to make this statement in Parliament as well.

“According to Article 148 of the Constitution, Parliament has full power over money. As a member of the International Monetary Fund, we conduct international payment settlement and foreign exchange transactions subject to IMF regulations and supervision.” The minister further said that the Opposition Leader should make a statement over his statement without going from village to village and deceiving people. Dr. Bandula Gunawardena further stated that “if the JVP made this statement in some way, it would not be a big problem because there is no situation in which they can ever take control of this country.”