Former Prime Minister and the Leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for a debate on the report tabled by the International Monetary Fund.
Speaking in Parliament today, the former Premier said the IMF Board of Directors will publish the Article IV consultation report based on the discussion with Sri Lanka during the third week of February.
The former Premier requested the Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to table the report in Parliament.
Former Prime Minister Wickremesinghe also requested a date in March to debate the report with the consent of the Leader of the House.
The former Premier added the report needs to be discussed and a decision reached on whether the matters highlighted in the report can be agreed on adding it is irrelevant to argue over whether the present administration or the previous administration is responsible.
The UNP Leader said the matters agreed upon can then be presented to the President.
Responding to the request, Minister Gunawardena said a decision will be reached at the next party leaders’ meeting.
Joining the debate, Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya requested a two-day debate to discuss the country’s present situation at the next Parliament sitting adding the matter was not taken up during the party leaders’ meeting.
The MP called for the debate to be scheduled for next week.
MP Kiriella said Parliament possesses monetary powers adding however the Minister of Finance has not made any statement on the country’s financial situation in Parliament adding the Minister only makes comments to the media.
(newsradio.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by newsradio.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)
