The main Parliamentary Opposition Party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), alleged that the Parliament has not been properly informed of the proposals that have been presented to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the discussions on the ongoing debt restructuring process.

SJB Parliamentarian Hector Appuhami told a media briefing yesterday (26) that in such a context, it is difficult to conduct an honest assessment about the country’s economic situation, especially concerning the debt situation, and that the Government can easily mislead the people about the same, especially in the context of the Presidential Election.

“We know that the Paris Club has presented their own set of proposals as opposed to our proposals with regard to restructuring debt. We don’t know whether India, the United States or China has implemented some kind of a plan regarding the same. When it comes to foreign bonds, we don’t see any response in that regard,” he claimed.

In addition, he warned of the possible consequences of obtaining temporary reliefs to appease the country, adding that such action would result in unbearable additional payments, which will affect the public. Taking these risks into account, he said that the Government should not settle for fast solutions or relief in a bid to gain political power, but instead attempt to come to sustainable agreements.