• Calls for econ. crisis, IMF & geopolitics to be prioritised

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) called on new President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to prioritise other issues ahead of tackling corruption.

“This Presidential Election was won mainly on the promise of tackling corruption,” FSP Secretary Premakumar Gunaratnam said yesterday (24), while speaking to The Daily Morning. “However, while that should be done, the new President and the National People’s Power (NPP) should also focus on issues such as the economic crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and geopolitics.” 

Gunaratnam mentioned that the new President should give special focus to the advancement of India in the geopolitical stage. “India has been advancing in the geopolitical scenario and Indian companies such as Adani have also had a vested interest in the country,” Gunaratnam said. “This should be a key area that our new President should focus on.”

Gunaratnam also said that the results of the Presidential Election was a result of a call for change among the people of the country and was similar to other calls for change such as the ousting of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa following the economic crisis in 2022. “When people grew tired of Rajapaksa, they decided that they didn’t want the Executive Presidency as well,” he claimed. “They also grew tired of the current 225 Parliamentarians and wanted a new change. However, the people’s will is liable to change.”

These comments follow the NPP candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake winning the 2024 Presidential Election with 42.31% of the vote, and being sworn in as the ninth Executive President. The new President has expressed the intention to enter into discussions with the IMF and change certain conditions in order to minimise the economic pressure on the people.