-By A Staff Writer
(Lanka-e-News -10.Sep.2024, 10.30 pm) A heated debate has erupted within the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party as Senior Economic Advisor Dr. Harsha de Silva has publicly disagreed with party leader Sajith Premadasa's stance on the IMF program, raising concerns about the party's economic direction and credibility.
In a recent statement, Premadasa vowed to withdraw from the current IMF program if the SJB were to come into power. This declaration has caused significant confusion among the electorate, particularly after Dr. de Silva, a respected economist and senior politician within the SJB, strongly countered his leader’s remarks.
According to Dr. de Silva, any future government in Sri Lanka must adhere to the IMF program at least until 2027 or 2028 to ensure financial stability and continued access to international funding. He warned that withdrawing from the IMF agreement would jeopardize the country's ability to secure loans from other global financial institutions such as the Asian Development Bank and bilateral donors, as Sri Lanka would lose vital international guarantees.
This open disagreement between two prominent SJB figures has cast doubt on the coherence of the party's economic policies and raised questions about Premadasa’s financial acumen. Dr. de Silva's remarks have also sparked concerns over the potential risks of isolating Sri Lanka from global financial institutions at a time when the country is navigating a difficult economic recovery.
As voters look for clarity, the rift between Premadasa and de Silva underscores deeper divisions within the SJB on how best to manage Sri Lanka's financial future. The ongoing debate is expected to shape the party’s economic platform as the country heads toward upcoming elections.
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by (2024-09-10 17:09:36)
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