Sri Lanka achieved progress in economic recovery as people backed difficult programme: President Wickremesinghe
The Hindu
President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlights Sri Lanka's economic progress despite hardships and plans to contest the next presidential election.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe on February 4 said Sri Lanka has achieved progress in its economic recovery process due to the steadfast support of citizens to a comprehensive long-term national rebuilding programme despite facing hardships.
Addressing the 75th anniversary of Independence celebrations held in Colombo, Mr. Wickremesinghe said when the country marked Independence Day last year it was labelled bankrupt.
He said progress had been achieved in the economic recovery bid “owing to the steadfast support of our citizens who endured hardships in keeping with a comprehensive long-term national rebuilding programme”.
“If we go on this road, the difficulties will fade away. The cost of living will become lighter. The economy will become stronger," Mr. Wickremesinghe stressed.
Sri Lanka in April 2022 declared its first ever sovereign default since gaining independence from Britain in 1948.
The crisis led Mr. Wickremesinghe's predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa out of office through a campaign of public agitation. Mr. Wickremesinghe stepped in to fill in Rajapaksa's remaining term.
Since then, Wickremesinghe has put in place unpopular economic reforms to supplement a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).