Current situation will be resolved within a few days: President

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assured the citizens that the current situation of shortage of essential items will be resolved within a few days as those items are scheduled to arrive in the country.

Issuing a statement, President said that the objective of the government is to overcome the existing economic challenges facing the country and to build a strong economy with new investments by giving priority to exports and the agricultural economy. 

Nevertheless, the COVID-19 pandemic situation faced by the whole world has led all countries to a severe economic crisis. The top richest countries in the world are looking for solutions to the current economic crisis. This situation is severely affected for an economy of a country like ours where there is no cash reserve, according to a statement issued by the Presidential Secretariat quoting President.

“In this context, the President discussed with all political party leaders to find solutions to the prevailing issues through an all-party government. But with the failure of the response, Mr. Ranil Wickramesinghe was invited to take over the position of Prime Minister.”

Negotiations with the International Monetary Fund have been very successful and within the next few weeks, the necessary background has been created to implement the loan assistance programme. In the last few weeks, phone conversations were held with the Heads of States as well as with the Ambassadors of many countries and efforts were made to get the assistance of those countries.

-After a long and well-planned effort, the country is now reaping its benefits.
Essential medicines have already been received. 65,000 metric tons of fertilizers have been ordered under Indian credit line facilities. The first ship carrying 44,000 metric tons of fertilizer will reach the island tomorrow (09).

-The required fuel, gas and ordered essentials will continue to be received from July 12.

-All arrangements have been made to prevent food shortage in the country under various agricultural programmes.

-The 21st Amendment has already been approved by the Cabinet.

At a time when successful solutions have been achieved to the existing problematic situation, the programme of the opposition political groups to mislead the people is very sad and unpleasant. This will lead to set the country back once again, the statement said. 

“It is the responsibility and duty of the people to support the building of a good country for the future generations of the country through a correct economic programme,” 

President Rajapaksa also requested the people to properly understand the current situation and act peacefully and intelligently without getting caught up in wrong ideologies.