March 24, 2022
2 mins read

Ex-Prez, PM urge Lanka govt to get closer to India

Former President Maithripala Sirisena, who had initiated the idea of an APC, too suggested that Sri Lanka should get the support of India and other friendly nations….reports Asian Lite News

At Sri Lanka’s All Party Conference (APC) held in a bid to come out of one of worst economic crises in its history, a former President and an ex-Prime Minster insisted that Sri Lanka should take the help of India and other friendly nations.

Presenting his solutions to the current crisis, former Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe said, “The only way for us now is to make an agreement and get closer to the selected friendly nations. They include India, Japan, China and European Union.”

Meanwhile, former President Maithripala Sirisena, who had initiated the idea of an APC, too suggested that Sri Lanka should get the support of India and other friendly nations.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who invited all the political parties to rally around the APC to find solutions to the present economic crisis, led the APC on Wednesday, but the main opposition — United People’s Power led by Sajith Premadasa — and the Marxist outfit Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna refused to join it, claiming that the government was not genuine with its intentions and the APC was just an eyewash for the present crisis.

Government affiliated and Tamil represented Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC), parties representing the Muslim community and a number of other outfits too boycotted the APC.

However, the United National Party (UNP) represented by its only MP and leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka Freedom Party led by former President Maithripala Sirisena and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the country’s main Tamil national party based in the North and the East, joined the APC.

Forwarding TNA’s proposals for economic recovery, MP M.A. Sumanthiran stated that Tamil diaspora funding to support ailing economy could be a real possibility and assured that the party could act as a bridge to negotiate with the Tamil people abroad, who are willing to bring in their funds and invest in the country.

However, MP Sumanthiran representing the former war-torn Northern peninsula claimed that there should be power devolution to the ethnic issue.

“There is no development without devolution. That needs to be done and we can move forward,” he stated.

As suggested by several parties, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa announced that a new budget with concessions to financially-burdened people would be presented by next month.

ALSO READ: Lanka, US vow to ensure maritime safety in Indian Ocean

Previous Story

Govt may table Constitution Amendment Bill in RS

Next Story

Imran may make a major move on March 27: Minister

Latest from -Top News

Multi-alignment, upgraded

With US ties strained and China tense, New Delhi taps Europe’s harder edge for co-development, clean tech and strategic autonomy, writes Manoj Menon India is recalibrating its great-power hedging as frictions with

Reeves urged to break manifesto pledges

Chancellor under pressure as £40bn fiscal gap looms, with critics warning against a “pasty tax” budget of piecemeal revenue raisers…reports Asian Lite News Rachel Reeves is facing growing unease inside Labour’s ranks

Starmer to Visit India on Wednesday

UK and India to cement strategic ties with new free trade agreement and deeper cooperation across defence, technology and climate Prime Minister Keir Starmer will make his first official visit to India

UAE, India join on child services

The United Arab Emirates and India have opened discussions to enhance cooperation in integrated child development services, focusing on early childhood education, nutrition, and child participation initiatives. The talks took place on
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India’s anti-ballistic missile test a notice to China

DRDO chief Samir Kamat said that the Phase II BMD

India sends 20 more passenger coaches to Sri Lanka

This consignment is a part of 160 coaches to be