SL will take 10 years to bounce back from this crisis: Ranil

14 July 2020 11:01 pm - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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It will take ten years for Sri Lanka's economy to bounce back to the position it was before the initial COVID-19 outbreak given the current situation, former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today at Sirikotha.

In a special statement he said Sri Lanka's future was uncertain because of the second outbreak.

“Sri Lanka cannot bounce back from the current economic crisis if it fails to control COVID-19. You need to control it to keep the domestic economies going. Many countries including those in the European region have controlled it. Sri Lanka too should do it. We will fall next year and the year after if we fail to control the disease. Bouncing back is not easy. We were in a similar situation from 1970 to 1977. Former president J. R. Jayewardene turned things around when he came to power. Does any one like to wait for ten years till the economy bounces back. Elections should be held on time but one has to see the country through from this crisis,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

He said the Welisara Navy camp was closed because of COVID-19 while Welikada prison was closed subsequently while schools are closed now.

"There is only one thing to be done. That is shut the present government down and bring in a new government. It has failed to come up with an effective programme to control COVID-19. There was a lock-down, which we welcomed and supported. Then we were accused of getting into a deal with the government. Several organizations suggested testing and tracing. Doctors unions called for testing and tracing before me. However the government did not respond,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.

He said COVID-19 has begun to spread again while the government was focusing on holding elections.

"Elections cannot be postponed every day. We called for testing while the election was being held. It did not happen. Country is suffering because of it. COVID patients are everywhere. People are worried. Several private institutions are closed today. WHO recommended four steps to control the situation. These were testing, tracing, isolating and treatment. We did not implement any of these. Prime Minister, Health Minister Local Governdment Minister and provincial council and home affairs should have got together and dealt with the situation however that did not happen. One has to make political decisions whenever there is a crisis. This also did not happen,” Mr. Wickremesinghe said.(Yohan Perera)

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

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Comments - 14

Sambo Wednesday, 15 July 2020 08:53 AM

If you were in power it may take over 30 years as you proved to us withing the last five years. You and your so called ministers did not make any efforts to look into the problems face by the public and that's why you were kicked out lock, stock and barrel.

Milinda Wednesday, 15 July 2020 09:05 AM

Ranil You have been in political business for nearly 45 years and was unable to solve the economic issues in Srilanka. You had an opportunity during the last 5 years to put it right but you robbed the central bank and betrayed the people of Srilanka. Young people in Srilanka do not have any faith in you and your goones in the present U N P and S J B of Ponnaya Sajith. Srilankans can't afford to wait for another 10 years to revive the economy as per your plan. It's time for you guys who have betrayed the nation to retire from politics and plan your journey to hell. It's best that you jonnies give way to another set of educated people to develop plans and put the nation in the right direction.

Asoka Silva Wednesday, 15 July 2020 09:42 AM

This stupid bastards does not know the difference between 10 months and 10 years. Leave politics and stay at home until permission is granted to Kanatte soon

Mahesh Wednesday, 15 July 2020 09:49 AM

Please go home without making funny jokes. One of the worst politicians in Sri Lanka without commonsense..

Jude Wednesday, 15 July 2020 09:57 AM

Ranil, upto his old tricks!! "Fish in troubled waters" Huh!!

Sokrates Wednesday, 15 July 2020 09:59 AM

Ranil is right with his opinion, whether that is his own opinion but more likely that of experts. For selfish reasons, the Rajapaksa Clan not only plays with the lives of many people but also with the country's economy. The economy will now need at least 10 years to recover, but only under a party that has economists. The Rajapaksa Family Party has none.

BigEars Wednesday, 15 July 2020 10:09 AM

Hello, Grand Pa! The whole world will take years or over a decade to recover from the economic hit. The WHO has to take responsibility for this pandemic. It should have been stopped in China.

ANTON Wednesday, 15 July 2020 10:11 AM

PEOPLE HATE YOU

mohamed husam ghaffari Wednesday, 15 July 2020 10:20 AM

if the politicians stop steeling peoples tax money then our country will be very rich

Perera Wednesday, 15 July 2020 12:45 PM

Immaterial of political differences we have, one should accept the fact that the current Sri Lankan Government has handled the corona virus issue in our country in a much appreciable way. I live in U.S.A. I am always proud to mention our corona virus statistics to Americans who look at me with disbelief and appreciation.

samson Wednesday, 15 July 2020 12:59 PM

Please leave it to the president, he will sort it out soon.

Martin Milton Wednesday, 15 July 2020 05:35 PM

So what is surprising in that?? You put Sri Lanka in this mess and then it was overwhelmed by COVID-19!. That was the second disaster. MM

Vadivelu Yogaratnam Wednesday, 15 July 2020 05:38 PM

Your time is up man please go home then Sri Lanka will recover quickly. People just don't want to see u anymore hope u will understand.

SL in Qatar Thursday, 16 July 2020 10:20 AM

Once bitten twice shy....

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SL will take 10 years to bounce back from this crisis: Ranil

Comments - 14

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