INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
President Ranil Wickremesinghe states that at present, certain politicians are making extensive promises without presenting any concrete
Oversight Committees, Wickremesinghe expressed that despite prolonged discussions between the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP
Otherwise, they will face the consequences of living in a country with a collapsed economy, struggling to supply essential items like
medicines and fertilizer, and experience long queues for fuel and gas.President Wickremesinghe made these remarks during a Dialogue on
Oversight Committees.The President highlighted that those making various promises on platforms today lack a concrete program to move the
economy, the President urged all political parties to support the Economic Transformation Bill presented by the government
He also invited them to present any alternative proposals they might have for the country.President Ranil Wickremesinghe further
Since assuming the presidency, an idea was imparted to me during a discussion with Mr
Karu Jayasuriya, which has evolved into what we witness today
We have provided young leaders with a platform to contribute to governmental initiatives by offering their insights and recommendations for
Consequently, we carefully consider all viewpoints presented.There is prevalent discourse regarding the economic bankruptcy of our country
However, I do not fully concur with this assessment
Our country is not only facing economic challenges but also political ones
These intertwined issues have become a formidable challenge that demands our attention.The absence of a formalized economic structure has
left our country vulnerable to significant challenges
Historically, our economy has relied heavily on imports, creating a situation where our expenditure exceeded our financial resources
Compounded by the financial burdens of war, our fiscal situation deteriorated further
Despite hopes for rapid economic growth following the end of the war, progress has been limited
Fifteen years on from the end of the war, we find ourselves still grappling with economic stagnation
We persisted in employing outdated methods, resorting to borrowing when faced with financial constraints, ultimately leading to
unsustainable debt levels.During this period, there was a reluctance to acknowledge the reality of our economic situation
However, we recognized the urgent need for economic reform and made commitments to that effect during electoral campaigns
Regrettably, amidst these efforts, certain elements within the country propagated unfounded fears of national sovereignty compromise
Despite such assertions, we find ourselves in a state of financial crisis.In 2015, during my tenure as Prime Minister, I had to implement
However, in 2019, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assumed leadership and initiated tax reductions, resulting in a decline in revenue
This reduction coincided with the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, exacerbating our financial challenges
Despite the pressing need for foreign exchange reserves amounting to US$3 billion, this critical issue received little attention during the
While our party, the United National Party, highlighted this concern in our policy statement, other parties focused on making unrealistic
Consequently, our party suffered significant losses in the election, winning only one seat.It is unprecedented for a party with just one
seat to appoint a Prime Minister or President
This situation underscores the political turmoil and lack of leadership in our country
Faced with this crisis, I assumed the presidency to address the economic challenges.Recognizing the importance of empowering the youth, we
It is imperative to equip the younger generation with the necessary skills and knowledge to lead our nation forward.Today, certain
Despite prolonged discussions between the opposition leader and Mr
Anura Dissanayake regarding debate formats and venues, no agreement was reached
Regrettably, none of these individuals have put forth a viable economic agenda.In light of this, it is essential for them to articulate
However, no such proposals have been forthcoming
If they are unwilling to engage constructively, it is imperative to consider alternative avenues for progress
Engaging in such programs facilitates valuable interactions with officials and the private sector, fostering knowledge enhancement and the
I extend an invitation to all stakeholders to break free from conventional paradigms and propel the nation forward collectively.Below are
Youth Parliament from a mere concept into a constitutional institution has been presented
to formalize its status through legislation
One of the key challenges we face is determining the criteria for selecting its members
the critical questions that need resolution
address the issue of female representation in provincial and divisional councils
establish a youth leadership task force to collaborate with ministry secretaries? There seems to be a lack of grassroots understanding in
activities related to smart technology
I encourage you to deliberate on how this integration can be effectively achieved and provide your recommendations
The significance of engaging with Parliament lies in its role in policy formulation, while involvement in ministries or provincial councils
entails contributing to policy implementation
I refrain from dictating specifics because this pertains to your future, not mine
But if you somehow lose the next election, will there be anyone to take the lead to continue the current program?A:The outcome of the
upcoming election is not solely about my personal victory or defeat; it will determine whether the country succeeds or fails
Should this program falter, we risk losing foreign exchange reserves, leading to shortages of essential items like medicines, fuel and gas
transformation law or propose a viable alternative
If you believe in the merits of the current approach, let us proceed accordingly.Conversely, opting for a scenario where our economy
collapses, devoid of essential resources, is another option
However, to date, no such alternative has been forthcoming
While some suggest renegotiating agreements with the IMF, the IMF has indicated their inflexibility
Can we afford to default on our national debts next month?Hence, it is imperative to consider the future of our nation carefully and make
informed decisions accordingly.Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka,During
both the war and the recent economic crisis, we all experienced significant hardships
The repercussions were far-reaching, plunging us into energy insecurity with prolonged power outages and fuel shortages
Misguided policies on food and fertilizers exacerbated food insecurity, leading to the collapse of the agricultural sector
This, coupled with challenges in healthcare and other vital sectors, inflicted severe economic hardships on us
As a nation, we found ourselves stripped of even the most basic necessities like food and gas.As such, national security encompasses more
than just safeguarding territorial integrity
Recognizing this, a new role has been proposed for the President, complete with a National Security Advisor and a dedicated National
While the bill outlining these changes has yet to be introduced, it will form part of a comprehensive legislation covering various critical
areas, including the National Security Secretariat, the newly-established Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Act, and the National Institute for
Strategic Studies.The scope of the National Security Secretariat extends beyond traditional security to encompass economic and energy
security, among other sectors
National security is a multifaceted concept that defies precise definition, spanning a wide array of fields
There is a pressing need for reform within our intelligence agencies, recognizing the distinct operational requirements during peacetime and
wartime, both of which are integral to safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country
Efforts are underway to modernize these agencies with the assistance of our friendly nations
Additionally, we are incorporating an overseas division, formerly under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but typically
overseen by the Ministry of Defence.The event was attended by distinguished figures including Senior Advisor to the President on Economic
