The ‘I.M.F. contract was to be completed in August. Due to the struggle, it was postponed to September…’
This is the story that Ranil told the world on July 30 when he became president. He said that because of the struggle, the IMF loan pushed back blaming the struggle. He reached an agreement with IMF on September 1st. Egypt reached an agreement with Egypt on October 27. Now the IMF has not included Sri Lanka in the agenda of the September 1st meeting. Egypt, which signed the agreement on October 27, is included. IMF has started negotiation to grant the first tranche of Egypt’s expected 03 billion loan deal in December.
Now Ranil’s government claims that because the delay in restructuring of China’s debt the IMF Loan approval is getting delayed.
But the truth is that Ranil worked tirelessly to become prime minister, president, to end the struggle, divide the Samagi Jana balawegagya and pohottuwa, and was never receptive to IMF tasks.
‘Can Shehan Semasinghe restructure the debt with India, China and the Paris Club…?’
This is not an insult to Shehan but he is not suitable for this job. He is a former minister of state for Sramurdhi. Not even a cabinet minister. Why Ranil place him in debt restructuring talks is a serious question. IMF from the beginning said that a full-time finance minister should be appointed to deal with them. Ranil did not do it. He retained the post of finance minister and appointed Shehan to the IMF and, sent to debt restructuring talks.
’ ‘then will IMF take Sri Lanka seriously…?’
Ranil to IMF and debt restructuring should have sent an all-party delegation. The best experts to negotiate loans with India, Japan and the Paris Club are in Samagi Jana Balavega. Rajapaksas or JVP should have sent to discuss debt restructuring with China. Ranil tried to embrace IMF like a bunch of oranges without taking anyone closer and messed it up.
‘Why japan is silence…?’
No sooner Ranil became president; he said that Japan has agreed to convene a creditor’s conference to negotiate with Sri Lanka’s creditors. Ranil when he attended the funeral of the former Prime Minister of Japan and told the world that Japan agreed to call a meeting of creditors. Within twenty-four hours after this statement of Ranil, Japan said that Japan had not agreed to convene a creditor’s conference.
‘Why did Japan do this..?
Japan’s ambassador to Sri Lanka made an allegation regarding Ports and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala when Gota was president. The Japanese ambassador also voiced opposition leader Sajith Premadasa about this allegation. The ambassador said that Nimal Siripala demanded a bribe regarding the light rail project. Gotabhaya was afraid and ashamed of the ambassador’s accusation and asked Nimal Siripala to resign. Nimal Siripala resigned. Nimal Siripala spent 24 hours before resigning to make Ranil the Prime Minister.
After resigning from the post of minister, he spent 24 hours to make Ranil the president and to hold the post of minister. As soon as Ranil became the President, a committee was appointed on Nimal Siripala’s advice and he was acquitted and reinstated to the same position as a minister to show gratitude to Nimal Siripala. This is like a slap on the face to the Japanese ambassador. It would not have mattered if Nimal Siripala was given another ministry to be grateful to him. It was the Ministry belonging to the project that the Japanese ambassador accused against him. Ranil showed Japan that Nimal Siripala is more valuable to him than Japan.
India was furious about the damage done to Tamils in the July 83 riots during JR’s time. JR made great effort to renew the damaged relations with India. India said that Minister Cyril Mathew, who has been accused of being involved in the July 83 riots, should be removed from the cabinet and win the trust of the Tamil people.
Cyril Matthew was like JR’s left hand. When the U.N.P was in the opposition, party leader Dudley and JR. had differences Cyril Mathew took JR’s side. JR, entrusted the task of building the trade union movement of UNP with great confidence in Cyril Mathew. Cyril Mathew also rioted in the North to win the District Development Council vote for the UNP. He was like JR’s pet. Cyril Matthew led the UNP thugs. Losing Cyril Mathew was like cutting off JR’s hand. But JR had to decide whether Cyril Mathew or India is worth in protecting Sri Lanka. JR knew that he needs Cyril Mathew to protect him. But JR realised that India is needed to protect the country. JR sacked Cyril Mathieu as minister to the surprise of the UNP.
India is a powerful country in the world. Prime Minister Modi is a powerful leader. Once his Bharatiya Janata Party stalwart party spokeswoman, Alla made an insulting statement about ‘Allah’ Muslim countries including Qatar protested it. Modi immediately removed the party spokeswoman who had done great service to the party because Qatar was more valuable than her.
‘Why like the uncle nephew could not sacrifice on behalf of the country..?’
That is why it was said Ranil jumbled the IMF task from the beginning. As soon as he became president, he set aside 24 hours to suppress the struggle and issue statements about it. Next, gossiping with 24 hours with the MPs to woo the MPs of Samagi Jana Balawega and to woo the members of Pohottuwa. Next went to the Queen’s funeral. Went to attend the funeral of the former Prime Minister of Japan. Went to the Asian Development Bank meeting in the Philippines. Went to the Environment Summit in Egypt. Posed for Pictures with the heads of state met during these foreign trips and made headline news in Sri Lankan media to show that the world is with Ranil.
‘Should make Ranil the President ‘Ranil is the only man who knows the language to speak to IMF…’
This is what Pohottuwa and UNP spoke then. The man who knew to talk the language of IMF became President, but IMF dropped Sri Lanka from their December meeting.
‘ amma no pappa no appa kanna thuttu no..’
This is a jingle Ranil sang about Chandrika’s budget, it should be rephrased now thus:
Cheena no….India no….
Japana naya samuluwa no
IMF salli ko
Bashawa danna Ranil ko…’
By Upul Joseph Fernando
