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I want to ask Sri Lanka to think of your future and vote for the future: Ranil
View(s):By Anthony David
Amidst a busy election campaign schedule addressing rallies across the country and other meetings, President Wickremesinghe on Thursday met with journalists of Weekend newspapers.
Responding to a range of questions, President Wickremesinghe questioned the manifestos by the other main candidates while expressing confidence in victory.
Here are excerpts of the responses by the President: 
Q: Are you seeking a vote of gratitude or a mandate to take forward the IMF programme ?
I did not know that there is gratitude in Sri Lanka’s politics. We have stabilised the economy. We have to consolidate the economy and ensure that it does not happen again. We need to go into an export-orientated economy. I also want to make the cost of living affordable . We have done a lot, but that is not enough. For the Gen-Z generation, I want to make a good future. So I want to ask Sri Lanka to think of your future and vote for the future.
We need to stabilise the economy, otherwise, we will go back to the old situation. For instance, we have studied the NPP manifesto and found that if their proposals were to be implemented, the deficit in the budget would be Rs 4,000 billion. From the GDP, it’s 11.9 percent. Usually, it should be five percent. Therefore, the US dollar will rise to Rs. 400 if their proposals are implemented. The IMF will stop their assistance, and the dollar may go up to Rs. 500. If you take money from the markets, the private sector will not have sufficient money. The interest rates will rise. So it’s a decision if we are to move forward or go backwards. We need to create jobs and reduce the cost of living.
Q: What are the main differences you see in the SJB and NPP manifestos?
The SJB has the manifesto and the Blueprint 3. After they are made public, Sajith Premadasa makes further promises. So, it seems they are not sure of what they are doing. In one they promise the farmers debt relief, but the other document does not have it. There are contradictions regarding the tourism industry. He keeps on making new promises, which means more expenses.
The NPP proposals are not clear. Not sure if they are going for an export-orientated economy or not. Candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake speaking in Kelaniya said they are going for an export-orientated economy, but in the manifesto it says they will scrap the Free Trade Agreements, which means there is a contradiction. Also, their figures are all contradictory to the IMF targets. I am ready for a debate on this. If they put forward their questions by next week, we can take it up with the IMF.
Q: Your position is that as you handle the economy, you are the most suitable for the position, but the opposition says we achieved the current position by stopping debt payments. Your response?
We have been paying the interest for foreign debt. The interest was every year. For the repayment of debt, we have been given time. The repayments had been made in rupees. Debt sustainability means you should have money for your expenses and have money to pay back debt. The IMF has acknowledged that we are reaching debt sustainability. Why didn’t the opposition accept the responsibility earlier?
Q: What is your solution to the ethnic issue?
This is the first time we are not having the ethnic issues or religious issues at an election. But we have discussed several issues with Tamil parties and need to move on. The provincial council system is a strength in development. We are in the process of addressing their issues, such as land issues. Even the issues of the Muslims are being addressed.
Q: You say, if somebody takes over power, the current system cannot be continued for more than six months and it will collapse.
The system put in can be implemented by anyone, but they are not ready to implement it. Even if I move out of the system, it will collapse. We have shown the pathway, and you need to proceed on it.
Q: From whom do you face the biggest challenge—is it from Sajith (Premadasa) or Anura (Kumara Dissanayake)?
I am ready to face both. But the challenge is to continue this programme. See what’s happening in the neighbouring countries—the Maldives is heading for an economic crisis while Bangladesh is in a crisis. Should we go to that situation? Both Sajith and Anura have no answers. They are in traditional politics.
Q: You had earlier said that a salary increment cannot be given, but now you have promised an increase. From where is the money?
We clearly said, that it was not possible to give an increase this year. The increase promised is for next year. We have gained revenue for the proposed increase.
Q: You have said that it is due to the weaknesses of Sajith Premadasa that the NPP has come up. Does this mean there can be only two political forces?
Usually there are only two forces in a country, with some exceptions. The main opposition should know to maintain its position as the main opposition. We have past experience on this. The opposition leader should know to maintain his position. But Anura Kumara has seized the opportunity. This is something we have not experienced in the past.
Q: What about the north and the votes in the estate sector ?
have no doubt about it. They have already decided on it.
Q: What’s wrong with voters experimenting ?
We have always been experimenting, that’s why we have not progressed. Should we go back to the past is the issue.
Q: There is a belief that the country would collapse after we start repaying debt
in 2028?
That is not correct. In 2022 the GDP was 76 million US dollars, and last year it was 84 million US dollars. We need to further progress. We cannot live in poverty.
Q: How do you say you are more successful in implementing the IMF proposals compared to the other two main candidates?
I am implementing the programme approved by the IMF. The others want to change the programme. If we fail to keep to the programme, the funding will be stopped. We have to receive US$300 million as the next installment. If the others want to change the programme the IMF will want to renegotiate, and it would take another six months or more. Even If I say the programme needs to be changed, the funding will be stopped.
If the VAT is reduced, you need to collect it from elsewhere. You can discuss it with the IMF if there is a plan. For instance, our target is Rs 5,117 billion, and therefore the gap is 1,700 billion. According to the NPP plan, the tax revenue is Rs 4,900 billion, which is Rs 200 billion less. You can’t reduce the taxes.
election pledges?
I have made them keeping with the IMF framework. I am confident of having the funds. Basically, it is a private investment.
Q: Are you concerned about post-election instability?
No I will control law and order.
Q: What would be your foreign policy?
Self-interest. All foreign policies are self-interest—peace in the region,
Q: How do you compare controlling the situation in Sri Lanka and the situation in Bangladesh?
In our case, we stabilised the situation in a week. In Bangladesh, what happened is they dissolved Parliament and have been unable to hold the election. Even Sajith Premadasa called for parliamentary elections here. What would have been the situation here if that was done? After Sheikh Hassina left, they should have replaced her and then gone for elections. I was called Ranil-Rajapaksa at that time, but today even Rajapaksa is not with me. We maintained law and order. If we tried to have an election, that would not have been possible.
Q: Is it possible to renegotiate the IMF agreement as promised by other candidates?
You have a debt sustainability agreement, and you have to stay within it. You have to go by the agreement, and they are not going to change the format. So they (the parties) are misleading the public.
Q: You have been accused of giving bar licences?
That is not correct. Out Ministry is selling them. We hope to increase the fees.
Q: The NPP says they can bridge the deficit of revenue caused by tax reductions by increasing foreign remittances and recovering stolen assets. Your response?
In what world are they? In the first place, they would have to identify the stolen assets and then file action. Usually a country takes about 10 years for the procedure. Do we wait for that period? Also, there is no account of such monies. Some say the recoverable amount is limited. They would find from banks the amounts first. So that is a false promise. Besides that, how much of foreign remittance can be increased? Some even can’t send 100 US dollars. So that too is a lie. They (JVP) appointed Ananda Wijepala to investigate stolen assets, and what was the progress achieved? Some 400 files were opened, and only 15 cases were filed.
Q: This time you are contesting in the form of an alliance. How do you hope to continue this for a future parliamentary election?
I am not contesting from an alliance, I am contesting independently, but several parties and organisations are backing me. As the president, I am willing to work with everybody. Of course the opposition is not willing to work with me. That is the problem.
Q: What about the parliamentary elections, would you continue this ?
Well, after a new parliament is formed, we will find somebody who commands the support of the majority to be appointed as the Prime Minister, and the broadest possible government will be formed.
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