• Says they have already spoken with the IMF mission and clearly articulated their concerns and also their alternatives

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) said it is a responsible opposition and understands the complexity of the multidimensional crisis, and therefore will not sell a dummy for short-term gain. 

• The crux of the concern is the inability for the masses to sustain the tough reforms. The focus is on the unfair burden of taxes on citizens

 Making his remarks to Daily Mirror outlining his party’s position on the IMF (International Monetary Fund) deal, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said, “We have already spoken with the IMF mission and clearly articulated our concerns and also our alternatives. 
We are a responsible opposition and understand the complexity of the multidimensional crisis we are in. Therefore, we will not sell a dummy for short-term gain. The discussion took place between our leader Mr Sajith Premadasa and head of the Sri Lanka programme Mr. Peter Brueur. 

Issues we disagree with were discussed in good faith. The crux of the concern is the inability for the masses to sustain the tough reforms. The focus is on the unfair burden of taxes on citizens. For instance we told him we disagree with the PAYE tax structure. But instead of just saying it must be changed, or worse yet some are saying they will abolish it, we are the only party that worked on an alternative structure and provided evidence how we can achieve the objective with a maximum marginal rate of 24% as opposed to the current 36%. On the key issues of public finance management and restructuring SOEs, we have made our position very clear in the two versions of the Blueprint we have tabled in Parliament. 
We have also very clearly articulated our position in CBSL independence in that document. We are a responsible opposition and we are fully aware of the dangers of a second default,”