Sri Lanka under IMF clutches now; no difference to colonial rule: AKD

26 August 2023 08:21 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 55

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Sri Lanka is now under the clutches of the International Monitory Fund (IMF) just as we were under British colonial rule, where Sri Lanka had no freedom or sovereignty to decide on its taxation or fiscal policies, NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Addressing an event organised by the National Bhikkhu Front (NBF) at the Foundation Institute, he said even though colonial rulers were not physically present here now, all the decisions with regard to taxation, fiscal policies etc. are done on the need of the IMF which functions with the intervention of the United States.

"How come the present situation differs from colonial rule," he asked and said, "When the professionals questioned about the PAYEE tax, the President and the Central Bank Governor said they could not do anything about it and that the matter should be dealt with the IMF. Even though it is said that Parliament has the power of public finance, the IMF has the powers to impose, change and remove taxes in Sri Lanka," he said.

He said when the opposition requested a two-day debate on the Central Bank Amendment Bill, the government said it is not possible and that if the debate went for two days, it would affect the time frame given by the IMF.

“This shows that the imposition of laws and control over public finance is no longer under Parliament. Is the present rule not similar to colonial rule? he asked.

The MP said a fresh struggle for the freedom and sovereignty of the people is needed now.(Ajith Siriwardana)

Comments - 55

Aruna Saturday, 26 August 2023 08:38 PM

What a stupid comment from a party leader. Seeking to equate an IMF agreement to colonialism is utterly ridiculous. But then again these guys know to play it to the less informed, who are extremely gullible. We remember the MCC agreement fiasco only too well where a large proportion of the electorate were taken for a grand ride on utter falsehoods.

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S.Sivs Saturday, 26 August 2023 08:44 PM

There is one important change There was no bribery .

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Choosy Saturday, 26 August 2023 08:44 PM

Yes, beggars can’t be choosy. Can you tell what you would have done.

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DOT Saturday, 26 August 2023 08:54 PM

Any hit for alternative ?

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Priyan66 Saturday, 26 August 2023 09:00 PM

JVP also responsible for today's economic mess as they opposed private universities in Sri Lanka and our forex drain also due to students went to foreign universities .

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Ganesh Saturday, 26 August 2023 09:01 PM

Wonder how he gets around and irons his clothes. These JVP guys will always be the first to throw the spanner in the works. Never had they done anything positive. Always negative. You guys had the opportunity at the time GOTA fled. But yet put conditions. Empty vessels make the most noise.

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Sandy Saturday, 26 August 2023 09:46 PM

Anyone can promise anything but past performance determines the credibility of someone

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Don't talk bullshit Saturday, 26 August 2023 09:49 PM

So what? We(PEOPLE) are getting enough to live.

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Jayampathi Saturday, 26 August 2023 10:20 PM

No freedom or sovereignty to decide on its taxation or fiscal policies is much better than freedom.

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TAX PAYER Saturday, 26 August 2023 10:49 PM

Well said ! However, Ranil does not care for Protests and Criticisms as long as he bows down to the IMF and please them.

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Wickrama wijayasiri Saturday, 26 August 2023 11:11 PM

There are two systems in today's world which once used to levy a 'head tax'. Pay as you consume and pay as you earn. Pay as you consume has not worked given the heavy subsidies. Only the rich gained. Pay as you earn is more equitable. Further, to govern a country fairly to all, the system should know the income of each citizen. IMF is making us do it as we have not done so. Kudos to IMF. We are asking them for help and we need to comply. They should not pour money into a blackhole!!

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A nizam Saturday, 26 August 2023 11:24 PM

Yes it the rajapakshas (who the JVP helped bring to power) and Ranil who are responsible for this. Criticism is good but the JVP has to give an alternate solution which they can’t. So just keep talkng

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Volker Metzger Saturday, 26 August 2023 11:34 PM

When the head of the NPP, Dissanayaka, laments the loss of freedom in the country's fiscal and financial policy and equates dependence on the IMF with British colonialism, then the cause-effect relationship must be remembered here! Apart from the incomparability of the two "instruments of rule" mentioned by Dissanayaka, who put Sri Lanka in this more than "shitty" situation and the people in the now long-lasting misery !!!? But probably a failed policy shaped by corruption and mismanagement by the family clan of the Rajapaksa !!! The first step to regain lost freedom and sovereignty is the fundamental change and reorientation of the country's politics, the election of a president wanted by the people and a parliament that is committed to the will of the people!

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European Sunday, 27 August 2023 12:00 AM

Why should IMF take the effort? After all it is mostly OUR taxmoney. So take it or leave it, we don't care.

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Sunil Amaraweera Sunday, 27 August 2023 12:14 AM

Maybe the stupid Bikkus should get off tgerir fat backsides and do something economically productive. It's because of them that SL has had to go into debt for 75 years. So the IMF loans eventually end up funding incompetent politicians and stupid monks in SL.

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Amaran Sunday, 27 August 2023 01:13 AM

Please tell JVP to STOP RAGGING in the Universities AND TO STOP DITRY DEMOS ON ROADS causing havoc to economy.

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Kevin Sunday, 27 August 2023 01:19 AM

If you borrow money from someone they will tell you how to put your house in order. AKD, how would you fix srilanka problems?

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Tissa Fernando Sunday, 27 August 2023 01:20 AM

You were one of the parties who wanted IMF during last few month's of GOTA who never wanted IMF

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Reformist Sunday, 27 August 2023 01:47 AM

Hey, what is wrong with British colonial rule? If SL had been under British rule, by now it would have been a well developed country. You all incompetent MPs ruined it. What has been achieved from your all fake patriotism, nationalism and religious fanatism? The country became bankrupt. Hand over this country back to British or even to Singapore you will see the results. Your cheap communism is not going to work. IMF is not forcing SL to do anything, it is up to the country. Don't go and beg from them then.

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Ranga Sunday, 27 August 2023 02:37 AM

fresh struggle for the freedom and sovereignty of the people is needed now so we don't beg anymore Don't blame IMF for our failure

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Mahila Sunday, 27 August 2023 03:42 AM

"just as we were under British colonial rule, where Sri Lanka had no freedom or sovereignty to decide on its taxation or fiscal policies" YES, Politicians having freedom to promise the world and sustaining DEFICIT budgets has ended or collapsed!!! GAME OVER!!??

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Farce exposers guild Sunday, 27 August 2023 04:01 AM

Your economic advisor professor Jayantha on a non political youtube channel speaks facts which are endorsing what the current president says about the economy. But you come on media and chant the sob stories which citizens know and is moving on with all the difficulties. You rascals are also a part of this mess by not allowing private higher education, not allowing power plants, cutting deals and loading the party coffers with millions endless list. You may fool some people but not all.

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Jeanne Sunday, 27 August 2023 05:38 AM

Anura Kumara Dissanayake needs to take a reality check on his comments about Colonial rule. If it weren't for "Colonial" rule Sri Lanka would be worse off today than we already are. All our development in this modern era caters for the rich and privileged and is an absolute vulgar display of ill gotten wealth and family bandyism which we were happy to apply to the Bandaranaike family. However, it is well and truly alive with the crooked Rajapakses who, not only have robbed and raped this country but now seem to have a stranglehold on the current President as well. So, the reference to colonialism is utter rubbish and proof of Anura's complete ignorance. Time for Anura to find another scapegoat for Sri Lanka's troubles.

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Bandu Sunday, 27 August 2023 06:23 AM

This guy is not very smart. AKD pls find USD$50billion to pay loans you political thieves has got on the back of SL people. Then we don't need IMF.

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Robin Banks Sunday, 27 August 2023 06:42 AM

IMF works hand in hand with multi-nationals. Next step is for multi-nationals to come to Sri Lanka and establish sweat shops like in other heavily indebted countries like Malawi and Burundi. They won't pay a cent in tax as the country is under IMF rule. Well done to Ranil Rajapaksa criminal syndicate for bringing a once proud nation to it's knees.

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Tak Tik Tuk Sunday, 27 August 2023 06:43 AM

IMF set rules to make sure that the country they lend to has the proper income source to payback the loan.

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The most hated president in hystory Sunday, 27 August 2023 06:47 AM

This is what the useless traitor Ranil is aiming for. He would rather have the country ruled by India than the citizens electing a proper government, because that will mean jail time for the scoundrel.

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Traitor president Sunday, 27 August 2023 06:50 AM

Ranil's survival depends on a foreign nation ruling Sri Lanka. What an unpatriotic politician.

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P A S P Perera Sunday, 27 August 2023 06:55 AM

100% Accurate. Finally The Current President, Former Presidents, Existing Government, Previous Governments

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Who is National Bhikkhu Front and are they outside the Maha Sanga Sunday, 27 August 2023 06:58 AM

The Maha Sanga is very much involved in politics. Too much even because it gets massive benefit with having protection from Buddhism in the constitution. Who is National Bhikkhu Front are they a fox come into aragalaya activist hen house? Sobitha Thera and other Maha Sanga were most against Aragalaya, along with Lawyers when Aragalaya wanted to end corruption of the Parliament and Military. Sobitha Thera and BASL were for targeting and ending Aragalaya for fear Aragalaya would diminish Maha Sanga power, or lawyer's law power.

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We our now under foot of India, UK, and USA Sunday, 27 August 2023 07:01 AM

IMF has been influenced by India and US the most, with some also by the UK. Only China wanted to protect us from the IMF control. SJB Sajith and Harsha were for Central Bank governor and IMF. Those two are like family willing to sell only child 15 year old daughter into prostitution to overcome loan on their house. SJB support for government and Central Bank is big pillar of support for government.

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Chux Sunday, 27 August 2023 07:37 AM

Yes your party and LTTE also largely responsible for this mess along with Rajapakshas who brought them in to power

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Concerned citizen Sunday, 27 August 2023 07:47 AM

Fresh struggle to get rid of the IMF? Same old tactics - fool the public. How about addressing the root cause rather than crying about the symptom - get rid of the wasteful spending and corruption within the GOV.

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Sokrates Sunday, 27 August 2023 07:48 AM

Sri Lanka would be far better off economically today if it had remained a British colony. There would be far less corruption and crime. Criminal gangs like the Rajapaksa clan would never have gained such power. The people would be better off and politicians would be under control.

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Cugan Sunday, 27 August 2023 08:28 AM

Funny politicians

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Be Fair Sunday, 27 August 2023 08:28 AM

Its better to be under that situation isn't it?

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Dinesh Sunday, 27 August 2023 08:38 AM

Perhaps the island can now return to being the second wealthiest nation in Asia, as it was under colonial rule.

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Jude Sunday, 27 August 2023 08:53 AM

SL gov't taking Loans to pay Loans!! NEVER ending borrowing!! And the country is mortgaged for next 50-60 years!! This madness got to stop!! Only answer is NPP government, yeah!!

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S.Siva Sunday, 27 August 2023 09:00 AM

IMF never invited Sri Lanka . Elected politicians mismanaged the country to satisfy their status ego and the educated and efficient once just minded their own business or just went to live abroad. The net result is politicians who cannot provide leadership mismanaged the country resulting in a Bribe Nepotism and racial infestation atmosphere. You want to fix it then the one who is asked to help is setting the rules with a large margin of deviation because the committment to be sincere is a non existing commodity in Sri Lanka. Thus IMF world Bank etc. Thanks that China is also going through financial troubles leaving no other choice. We can try Ala,Batala,Manjokka as we did under Felix Dias and Sirima or take the conditions from IMF before doing that let the local elections be held and let the parts of the country choosing to be properly managed have their way.

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Jayantha Sunday, 27 August 2023 09:01 AM

Jvp too responsible for current situation. Who brought CBK to power? Who brought uneductated village thug MR to power?Who brought uneducated Gramasewaka to power? You guys were acting like a jack all this time for main two parties and now talking as if your party is a new one. Biggest mistake was bringing MR. Probably these guys idea was to help useless leaders to come to power so that they will destroy the country and then hope they can come to power as people will think them as the alternative. What a trecherous idea to ruine a country. This party should be banned including all leftist and marxist parties.

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Sudda Sunday, 27 August 2023 09:05 AM

When the politicians have stolen the money and ruined the country, obviously any donor will impose rules on the use of donated funds. Without rules, the politicians will continue their stealing. However, these is too difficult to understand for Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Probably he is sad not to be able to steal from foreign donations.

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Jude Sunday, 27 August 2023 09:05 AM

The country can save billions of not in Trillions of rupees, and I reiterate!!! First foremost reduce the parliament members to Less than one hundred!! Then scrap Provincial councils and local government members!! And ground SriLankan airlines thus Treasury can save More than trillion rupees!! If you implement this SL government never have to borrow!!! remember before 1978, no provincial councils and local government members!! Furthermore, There was no national Airline till December 1979 yeah!! So now Time has come to make the changes and rescue this country!! Over to you NPP.

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Perera Sunday, 27 August 2023 09:55 AM

So what is your proposed solution? Still talking about the problem that everyone knows doesn't make you a good leader

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Government and SJB let IMF become the ruler Sunday, 27 August 2023 10:10 AM

Government has no mandate anymore. It stays in power just by military might. Otherwise it is unwanted. The SJB has from the beginning supported for Central Bank fixed currency rate. IMF is bad but not that bad. However, now we are totally slaves to IMF requests and demands. Until we break shackles of Government/SLPP/UNP and SJB along with the puppet master the IMF the our nation will only be going downhill.

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Christo255 Sunday, 27 August 2023 10:22 AM

Colonial rule better option than stalinist rule

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Lost Lankan Sunday, 27 August 2023 11:50 AM

Lesson NOT Learnt These are rotten political leaders always blames anything and everything with NO good alternatives.

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Dee Sunday, 27 August 2023 01:57 PM

Remember the dark era when even our rice mills were burnt down! Let’s not blame IMF. We need to blame ourselves for tolerating such subversives!

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roobarbie Sunday, 27 August 2023 02:30 PM

OK, but where is your policy and strategy for Sri Lanka. Talk, talk, talk. That is all you do AKD, but you do not present your alternative. We are waiting to vote for you but what are we voting for?

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navratne willamune Sunday, 27 August 2023 04:17 PM

in the short term we have no options,beggers cant be choosers.IMF ,too are not saints they have their agendas, clutches of the western dollar dominated monetery system.over time the BRIC nations planing to have its own currency backed by gold reserves,may be the way foward

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Tissa Fernando Sunday, 27 August 2023 06:18 PM

Those who are still saying that the colonial rule was good, they are probably right when looking at tge state of affairs now. But is it not that colonial rule that completely destroyed the great civilisation that was in Sri Lanka for 1000s of years. Countries like China and Japan were never under a colonial rule but they are very advanced economies now. In my opinion, the colonial rulers made our people fight with each other, made our people systematically blind to open mind, created class systems and exploited our wealth for 100s of years. They made a category of boot lickers who betray their own country to serve their colonial masters.

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Lester Sunday, 27 August 2023 09:08 PM

The British laid the foundation for Tamil Tiger terrorism, which is the primary reason for today's crisis. During JR's time, Sri Lanka was economically ahead of even China. It is unfortunate that Sri Lanka now has to take loans from the IMF.

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PGPThilak Monday, 28 August 2023 01:40 AM

JVP also responsible for this economic collapse especially for unbearable spending on government sevents' salaries etc. They always empower those who like lesser work but more salaries and other perks!!!.

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Roshan Monday, 28 August 2023 03:50 AM

AKD proposes to ask All Sri Lankans living abroad for a monthly donation of $500 instead of the IMF. Please post this. The people ought to know the stupidity of this man.

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Adwani Monday, 28 August 2023 08:52 AM

Kumaray, where were you when 7 billion US Dollars were being taken away by fraudulent means between 2019 and 2020??????

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Gamini Monday, 28 August 2023 11:36 AM

SO you want the country to run without collecting taxes. You don't pay any tax i guess

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