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By Yohan Perera
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya ( SJB) Economic policy centre led by MPs Harsha de Silva, Eran Wickramaratne and Kabir Hashim yesterday said they sincerely hope that ongoing talks with IMF would be a reality but stressed that the government would do the right thing.
Dr. De Silva told a press conference that the talks with IMF would end successfully but questioned certain steps taken by the government.
“ CB Governor has said the government would begin talks with the creditors after a staff level agreement is reached with IMF. However one wonders whether this is the right move in the wake of a declaration which has been made that Sri Lanka’s debt is unsustainable,” Dr. de Silva said.
“ We agree with the economic reforms that are being implemented today such as power tariff hike and fuel price hike. However we have reservations on how it is done. We believe that tariff hikes should be implemented in a way where there is minimum impact on the less fortunate,” he added.
MP Eran Wickramaratne expressed concern on steps taken to control the price of essential goods. “ A control price has been imposed on eggs but it has resulted in a scarcity of eggs,” he said.
MP Harsha said taking action against peaceful protesters using the Prevention of Terrorism Act will give a wrong picture to the international community.