By: Isuru Parakrama
Colombo (LNW): Foreign Minister Mohammad Ali Sabry speaking to a political programme aired on Hiru TV said he continues to bear responsibility as the former Finance Minister for the sovereign ‘debt default’ announced last April.
Q: Do you still bear the responsibility for us announcing then that the debt won’t be repaid?
“Definitely. That was a collective decision we had made. The suggestion had primarily come from the Monetary Board. The Central Bank Governor is the Head of the Monetary Board. Then, the Central Bank Governor and the Treasury Secretary briefed me on the matter. After it was suggested to me – we had a specialist team comprised of Mr. Coomaraswamy, Mr. Shantha Devarajan and Mrs. Shamini Coorey – we understood that this was the best decision that can be taken as we reviewed the options we had and based on information I received.”
Q: Do you believe that decision to be still accurate?
“Definitely. That was what drove the country to make a comeback and gain economic recovery.”
Q: So you’re saying that you still stand by that decision?
“Definitely.”
