• To consult IMF on anti-corruption legal framework 

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) of the Parliamentary Opposition is to seek a people’s mandate in future national level elections to make necessary changes to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, said its Chief Economic Adviser, Accounting Prof. Anil Jayantha.

Speaking to the media yesterday (12), Prof. Jayantha said that a future NPP-led government would investigate the domestic and foreign debts incurred by the Government as no party has a clear picture of the terms and conditions between the Government and the creditors. He also stated that the NPP will seek a people’s mandate in future national level elections, namely the Presidential and Parliamentary Elections, to carry out what they have planned, including the renegotiation of the IMF agreement. 

He also said that the NPP has identified the need for a strong legal framework to address the issues related to corruption that are not being addressed by the Government, adding that they will also consult the relevant stakeholders, such as the IMF, on making such legislation. He further noted that the Government has not identified the objectives and the message given by the IMF in terms of stabilising the country’s economy and that therefore, the NPP would not follow the same steps taken by the Government – such as taxing the ordinary people in an unprecedented manner. 

“The IMF asked us to manage the country’s economy and to boost it, and it does not mean that we have to boost the economy by any means. There are many steps like controlling the macroeconomic variables that can be taken to stabilise the economy. Instead, the Government chose the easiest way – taxing people,” he said. He further stated that the NPP’s economic team is to meet the IMF this week, and that they hope to hold further discussions regarding matters such as debt restructuring.

Several attempts to contact NPP Opposition Parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasuriya proved futile.