IMF bail out, the only option for country – Ranil

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that trying to solve the Dollar problem without approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will mean that the people will have to face hardships.

The former Prime Minister made this comment during a discussion held at his residence in Colombo, with Party officials and activists regarding the existing political situation on Thursday.

He recalled that on the very day that Parliament will be summoned on January 18, US$ 500 million has to be paid off.

The people who said that they will not pay even 5 cents for the fertilizer ship, are now going to

pay compensation of US$ 6.7 million to China. United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene said that when that amount is divided by the population in the

country, everyone in this country will have to pay Rs.62 each.

UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said that generally Parliament is prorogued, when there is crisis within the parliament or in the country subsequent to a discussion with party leaders.Party Secretary Palitha Range Bandara said that this was done due to the requirement ofthe government to abolish,COPE,COPA and the Finance Committee and also since they want to remove from their posts, COPE Chairman Dr.Charitha Herath and MP Anura Yapa.