Dhammika says Ranil has no plan to resurrect economy; calls him to step down as Finance Minister

• Says RW intentionally stalling dollar earning avenues 
• Stresses political games played by RW must be stopped
• Says planned July 9 people’s struggled must be for finding dollars 

Investment Promotion Minister Dhammika Perera yesterday charged that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has no solid plan to pull the country out from the ongoing crisis, therefore is unfit to continue to hold the post of the Finance Minister.

Not mincing his words, the business tycoon-turned minister said what Wickremesinghe plans for is a “disaster” and he does not have the appetite to resolve the dollar shortage in the country that has brought the economy to a stagnant state. “The Finance Minister plans to borrow money from friends. He has no future cash flow planning for the country,” said Perera while addressing the media yesterday morning.

Perera also charged that Wickremesinghe is delaying all matters relating to dollar earnings, borrowing, bridging finance and essential good credit lines.
He pointed out the delay in implementing the 10-year multiple visa for investors as an example of the Finance Minister stalling dollar generating projects.

 The proposal for the Golden Paradise Visa received the Cabinet nod about a month ago but is still held back by the Finance Ministry.

Perera shared that there are already over 50 individuals, who want the 10-year multiple entry visa by bringing in US $ 100,000 each and over 300 in the waiting list. “We could have received US $ 30 million from this avenue. But it is being held up,” he said. “It is only seven days since I joined the government and I have been observing what is happening.

As the Finance Minister, the political game played by Ranil Wickremesinghe will have to be stopped. He is stopping all projects that bring dollars to the country. He has no plan,” asserted Perera. 

He also went on to state that if the public wants to launch a new struggle on July 9, it must be to find dollars.
Perera also challenged the premier and his team of advisors to an open debate on the plans they have devised to steering the country away from the ongoing crisis.