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Ranawaka calls for Ranil to step down as UNP leader

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Patali Champika Ranawaka has called for Ranil Wickremesinghe to step down as leader of the United National Party (UNP) if the party hopes to form an alliance with the Sajith Premadasa-led Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).

Ranawaka said that Ruwan Wijewardene should assume the leadership of the UNP in such a scenario.

In response to a question from the Sunday Observer regarding the alliance between the UNP and the SJB ahead of the upcoming General Election, Ranawaka said that the UNP, now a smaller political force compared to the SJB, should leave the decision to the larger party.

“It is indeed up to the Samagi Jana Balawegaya to decide whether they should accept the offer from the UNP to work together,” he said.

This follows the recent dissolution of Parliament by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, clearing the path for a snap General Election on November 14, as outlined in an official gazette notification. The newly elected Parliament is scheduled to convene on November 21.

When asked about his own political future under the SJB, Ranawaka said that he had not aligned himself with the party. “I was part of the Samagi Jana Bala Sandhanaya, not the SJB,” he said.

Referring to the policies of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Government, Ranawaka said that he was not fully convinced by their manifesto.

“I will not hesitate to support him (President Dissanayake) on matters of national importance,” he said. According to Ranawaka, the NPP’s policy paper was lacking clear structural principles, whether communist or liberalist.

Regarding Sri Lanka’s ongoing debt crisis, Ranawaka said that finalising debt restructuring would lead to more challenges, as the repayment burdens increase.

Asked what if the NPP might seek closer ties with China due to its Communist state model, Ranawaka debunked the idea, adding that Sri Lanka, given its financial crisis, is not in a position to pursue any special policy alignment with China.

He said that President Dissanayake would do well to maintain a non-aligned foreign policy, balancing relations with India and the United States.

(This story, originally published by Sunday Observer has not been edited by SLM staff)

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IMF grants waivers despite obligation breach & erred reporting

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The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviewed non complying purchases made by Sri Lanka under the 2023 Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) as well as inaccuracies of information reported to the IMF.

However, the IMF has decided to grant waivers and not pursue further action, citing corrective measures and a commitment to reform by Sri Lankan authorities.

Following the Executive Board’s discussion, Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair – Mr. Kenji Okamura, has issued the following statement:

“The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reviewed non complying purchases made by Sri Lanka under the 2023 Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (“EFF”), as well as a breach of obligations under Article VIII, Section 5. The noncomplying purchases arose as a result of the provision of inaccurate information by the authorities on the stock of expenditure arrears at the first, second, and third reviews under the EFF.

“The inaccuracies in information provided to the IMF were inadvertent and arose because of weaknesses in the timely reporting of arrears by line ministries to the Ministry of Finance, as well as a misunderstanding by the authorities of the definition of “arrears” under the Technical Memorandum of Understanding. 

“The Executive Board positively considered the authorities’ corrective actions, the fact that arrears repayments will be accommodated within the existing fiscal envelope, and the authorities’ commitment to improving public financial management procedures in line with the new PFM law, to reduce the risk of accruing arrears or inaccurate reporting of information going forward. In view of the above, the Executive Board agreed to grant waivers for the nonobservances of the quantitative performance criterion that gave rise to the noncomplying purchases and decided not to require further action in connection with the breach of obligations under Article VIII, Section 5.”

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Abdul Wazeeth appointed to Parliament from SLMC national list

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Abdul Wazeeth of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) has been appointed as a Member of Parliament, the National Election Commission has announced.

His appointment comes following the resignation of former MP M. S. Naleem, who had entered Parliament through the SLMC National List after the 2024 parliamentary election.

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Tense situation in Kahawatta as residents clash with police

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Police had been compelled to use tear gas to control a tense situation that erupted between residents and police in Kahawatta following the funeral of a youth who was shot dead recently.

The funeral was held today (July 03) and the clash had broken out shortly afterwards.

Residents had expressed anger over the handling of the and had hurled stones at the police, reports say.

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