The country is reeling from the worst forex and debt crisis and the economy has contracted by 8% ( negative growth) . But the top few Central Bank Staff including Governor Weerasinghe and Secretary Siriwardana are going on a Joy ride to Washington. A feel good trip to network with the IMF , World Bank Friends . These are just Annual Meetings; featured are seminars, regional briefings, press conferences, and many other events focused on the global economy, international development, and the world’s financial system. This year’s events will take place in Washington, D.C.,October 10-16, 2022. If the Finance Minister wishes to go at a political level he can go , why so many officials. Why can’t they participate virtually in some of the discussions.
The Central Banks says no forex for SMEs for their raw material imports, but he can use the exchange earned by the Middle East workers to go on jaunt rides. Weerasinghe probably is now becoming the most qualified ‘joker’ in a pack of cards. The President is responsible for both these institutions. He should put a stop to this nonsense. The Governor’s last visit to United States cost the government of Sri Lanka 6.2 million.
Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa is calling the CBSL Governor the Economic Hitman. He pointed out that the Central Bank’s high Interest policy has virtually halted business and killed the livelihoods of the people of the country.
He went on to accuse the Governor of setting the country up for another revolution. The market talk now is the Chinese are offended with the Governor of CBSL for his callous attitude towards them and will not participate in the debt restructuring talks as long as he is the Chairman of the Debt restructuring team.
