UK calls for all political parties in SL to honour IMF programme

6 March 2024 08:52 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Colombo, March 6 (Daily Mirror) - British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick emphasized the need for the main three parties, if not all the major parties, to recognize the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In an interview with Daily Mirror, he said, “I know it's a debated issue here, whether the government should have entered into an IMF deal and what the future of the IMF deal is.

The High Commissioner made such remarks in the wake of the main parties making various remarks about the IMF programme. They even vowed to renegotiate the programme.

“I wanted to say that as Sri Lanka approaches an election, I'm sure there will be candidates who will say that they don't need to have this deal. It's very difficult. Or they will say that they have a different way out, suggesting that renegotiations are easy,” he said.

He also said, “I think if I was a voter here and I had a politician telling me that they could provide an easy solution to the future without going through with that, I think I would think carefully about whether that was accurate.

The UK is a key member of the IMF. Also, the UK is a member of the Paris Club which coordinates Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring.

Comments - 14

Ama Wednesday, 06 March 2024 09:05 AM

Renegotiation is again a two way process whereby two involved parties are negotiating to agree upon new terms. Nothing wrong.

Mizaru Wednesday, 06 March 2024 09:10 AM

The conditions for the present IMF bailout was one-sided. Any new government needs to negotiate or terminate the conditions laid down by the IMF. By the way is Sri Lanka a British colony. Ranil and his buds and friends have lead Sri Lanka down the garden path.

Peterpalan Sebatian Wednesday, 06 March 2024 09:14 AM

Thank you. However, we do not have an elected leader - He was refused by people without votes to enter the parliament! There is no law and order in the country! Convicted people are ministers? Do you know of any country like that?

Chrishan Wednesday, 06 March 2024 09:18 AM

One good thing about at least three political parties the JVP the SJB and the UNP all have economic advisors who have publicly stated that the country needs a 25 year period to recover. Unfortunately our vast majority of illiterate voters are not aware of this reality. Many in Sri Lanka who after been under colonial rule for 400 years who seems to be having dna or genes that makes them feel entitled for free stuff from the government. This attitude of Entitlement is the weak point where political parties manipulate during elections by over promising goodies. IMF intentions needs to be simplified into simple tamil and sinhala and mass communicated to the 16 to 30 year age category.

Aragalaya Wednesday, 06 March 2024 09:24 AM

The 1977 free economy started with the help of an IMF programme. This was with a govt that ran continuously for 17 years . The country trade deficit increased annually and rupee depreciated and country went into a debt accumulating cycle to keep the middle class happy with the goodies they liked. At the end of 17 years every govt thereafter continued with the debt cycle

Jude Wednesday, 06 March 2024 10:05 AM

IMF should More or Less help SL, IMF shoving too many things down lankans throat.

Charlie Hebdo Wednesday, 06 March 2024 10:50 PM

IMF don't owe you nothing!

Gabriella Wednesday, 06 March 2024 10:43 AM

Every State Intelligence apparatus is now concentrating on Sri Lanka. We have to become another Burkina Faso.

Thavarajalingam Wednesday, 06 March 2024 11:16 AM

This statement from the British Ambassador shows how all the Western countries are working together to control the third world countries .

Nalin Perera Wednesday, 06 March 2024 01:10 PM

Still interfering in other countries affairs. Colonial times are long gone.

Karalasingam Sivalingam Wednesday, 06 March 2024 01:16 PM

We gave no options political parties in Sri Lanka mention various options, all these are political gimmicks, whoever comes to power will no doubt, will adhere to IMF conditions in toto.

Ranga Wednesday, 06 March 2024 01:55 PM

Everyone here is blaming the UK and no one see the fact we put ourselves here lol

Andrew Wednesday, 06 March 2024 04:31 PM

We need two states in one country for cooperation and for economic stability.

Elder Wednesday, 06 March 2024 05:24 PM

Mr HC you are here to represent your country and not tell us what to do.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

UK calls for all political parties in SL to honour IMF programme

Comments - 14

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Did BASL misappropriate monies sent by JICA for anti-corruption programme?

Proposed wage hike Estate workers appreciated or trapped in election promise?

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Most Viewed in News

Iran helicopter crash: President Ebrahim Raisi dies

Elon Musk to visit Sri Lanka this year to launch Starlink

Sri Lanka cricketer to retire after World Cup & migrate to Melbourne

Will Ranil regain support of Tamil and Muslim voters?

Sarath Fonseka to split from SJB; to run for President

Sajith bars Daily Mirror over liquor controversy

MIRROR CRICKET

Russel Arnold among Australia’s Multicultural Ambassadors

Starc stars as Kolkata thrash Hyderabad to reach IPL final

All teams retained and pre-signed maximum players ahead of LPL auction

Kusal Mendis secures visa to USA after delay

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Economic Transformation Bill provide provisions to stabilize Sri Lanka by 2032

10 year old school girl dies after being run over by bus

1,732 illegal Sri Lankan migrants repatriated from Malaysia

Finance ministry to revise customs rewards after audit reveals Rs. 24,220 million payout

Russel Arnold among Australia’s Multicultural Ambassadors

Starc stars as Kolkata thrash Hyderabad to reach IPL final

Dulan shatters world record at Para Meet

LPL auction: Matheesha Pathirana breaks record as most expensive player