The present administration has taken every possible step to resurrect the collapsed economy amidst social unrest and unprecedented challenges to bring back the day to day activities to normalcy easing fuel and food crisis to a certain extent , official source said.
The government is about to turn it around the unprecedented economic crisis and the situation becoming slightly better as a result of multiple achievements during the past 68 day rule of the present regime, economic analysts and political activists claimed.
In a special statement, newly elected President Ranil Wickremesinghe explained that when he took over as Prime Minister on 13 May the economy had collapsed, with power cuts lasting five hours a day.
In the two months since then, power cuts had been reduced to three hours a day, fertilizer has been provided to the farmers and the gas shortage in the country has been solved, he pointed out.
Even though July would be a difficult period for the supply of fuel. diesel stocks have been secured and are being distributed while from 21 July petrol will also be distributed, he claimed.
He also explained that relief was being provided to the citizens of the country who are struggling with the economic crisis.
President Ranil Wickremasinghe stated that the loans taken by paddy farmers who have planted fields less than two acres have been written off . While due to the drop in the world oil prices, the fuel prices in the country have also been reduced.
While highlighting the steps taken so far, the Acting President further explained that negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) were nearing conclusion and discussions for assistance with foreign countries was also progressing.
He also said that due to the incomplete nature of the Easter Sunday attack he is requesting the assistance of the UK Government and their intelligence services.
He went on to explain that the current political crisis in the country is due to the Executive Presidency and stated that the 19th Amendment would be re-introduced which would address many of the concerns of the public.
President Wickremasinghe went on to explain that there were elements within society who were attempting to disrupt the peace in the country.
He claimed that these elements would be prohibited from disrupting the country’s progress. Wickremesinghe further stated that the peaceful protesters who had legitimate concerns would be engaged with by the Government and solutions would be found for them.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe called upon the political parties in the country to put aside their differences and not allow the country to suffer over differences over an individual.
He urged them to come together and form an All-Party Government which would allow the country to recover from the economic crisis.
