Ranil calls for experienced people in next Parliament

By Yohan Perera

There should be experienced people in Parliament to resolve the  economic crisis, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.   “Those who have worked with me for the past two years have the experience to face economic crises, so they must be in the Parliament. Whether you are in the Opposition or in the Government, you cannot run the Parliament without this experience, if you try you will fail in achieving the goals, “ Mr. Wickremesinghe said in a special statement.   

Following is the full statement made by Mr. Wickremesinghe.   

The new government will face the challenge of increasing the state revenue to fifteen percent of the Gross Domestic Product by 2028, when Sri Lanka will start re-paying its foreign debt. An increase of one percent economic growth is required every year in order to reach that goal and emphasized that the next Parliament needs an experienced team that will not shirk from their responsibilities.  

The group that worked with him to ensure the recovery of the country in the face of the economic crisis will run for the General Election under the symbol of the gas cylinder. In order for Parliament, which holds financial power, to be strong, the gas cylinder should win the election.   

“Due to the measures we had taken, we can now engage with foreign banks. Foreign aid is also available. We are no longer bankrupt due to our debt sustainability.   I worked with the last parliament to rescue the country from bankruptcy. I would like to express my thanks to all the members of that parliament. I also express my thanks to my officials who worked with that parliament.  

Now we have to implement that sustainability agreement. It has been reported that the current President will submit amendments in this regard. If so, the Parliament has the fiscal power to implement the revised agreement. It is the responsibility of the new Parliament to implement it.  

We have several goals that must be implemented to achieve sustainability.  

First of all, we have to begin re-paying our debt from the year 2028. By the year 2027, our government revenue should be 15 percent of the Gross Domestic Product. Currently that figure is 12 percent. To reach this goal, one percent growth should be achieved every year.  

By the end of this year, we can regain the levels of Gross Domestic Product that was achieved in 2019. At the same time, we have to increase our foreign exchange reserves. Our foreign exchange reserve should be in the range of 10-14 billion dollars. After meeting these goals, we have to pay off the debt. We have to achieve the above goals within this period. For that, we need to ensure rapid economic development.   Another important aspect of this programme is the implementation of a number of anti-corruption measures. Parliament is responsible for all these matters. According to the Presidential election results, no party will get a majority in the Parliament. Somehow, in order to fulfill the responsibilities of the new Parliament, the negative experiences of the previous parliament cannot be repeated. During the last parliament, no one came forward to accept their responsibilities. I came forward and gathered members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, United National Party and the Pohottuwa and worked to form a Government.  

Such incidents should not be repeated in the next Parliament. There are three main groups in this Parliament. Among those three groups, I want to mention one group here.   

I ran for the Presidential election under the symbol of the gas cylinder. The Pohottuwa, United National Party, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, New Alliance and all other groups came together and supported me. These people have worked under my leadership. Now all of them have come together once again.