IMF Executive Board approves Sri Lanka’s program

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has announced that the IMF Executive Board approved Sri Lanka’s program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). 

The program will allow Sri Lanka to access financing of up to US$ 7 billion from the IMF, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and multilateral organizations.

This is a historic milestone for the country as the Government seeks to restore macroeconomic stability and achieve debt sustainability. 

Earlier this month, Sri Lanka received IMF-compatible financing assurances from its official creditors, including Paris Club members, India and China, allowing the IMF to convene an Executive Board and consider Sri Lanka’s request for a loan. 

The program is expected to provide much-needed policy space to drive the economy out of the unprecedented challenges and instill confidence amongst all the stakeholders.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the announcement:

“In the 75 years of Sri Lanka’s independence, there has never been a more critical period for our economic future. Our official creditors have declared their support following continuous and positive engagements over the last few months, and we are pleased that the IMF Executive Board approved our program, enabling Sri Lanka to access up to US$ 7 billion in funding from the IMF and IFIs. From the very start, we committed to full transparency in all our discussions with financial institutions and with our creditors. I express my gratitude to the IMF and our international partners for their support as we look to get the economy back on track for the long term through prudent fiscal management and our ambitious reform agenda.

Since taking office last July, it has been my priority to stabilize Sri Lanka’s economy and achieve sustainable levels of debt. To do so, we have taken some tough decisions, but we did so with a commitment to widening our social safety nets, protecting the vulnerable, rooting out corruption and ensuring we can grow an inclusive and internationally attractive economy. The IMF program is critical to achieving this vision for our country, and we are committed to successfully completing the IMF program and achieving debt sustainability. We will continue to engage with all our creditors, and I encourage both our bilateral and commercial creditors to strengthen and foster coordination in the context of our forthcoming engagement. The IMF program will also be imperative to improving Sri Lanka’s standing in and access to international capital markets, and it will demonstrate that Sri Lanka is once again a country attractive to talent, investors and tourists.”

Ranjan Hirunika Leaked Calls ( All )

Voice tapes supposedly containing a phone conversation between MP Ranjan Ramanayake and MP Hirunika Premachandra was leaked to social media last few days.

First call is about UNP leadership.

Second clip Despite a couple of obscene words from the supposedly Ranjan's side and a joint insult on the LGBTIQ community, there was not anything hazardous to the United National Party in the conversation. But the conversation takes a drastic measure on revealing what it appeared to be information on Dilith Jayaweera and Waruni Amunugama, heads of Derana Media Network.

Third clip is about president Maithripala Sirisena and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's sexual habits.

Hirunika Premachandra yesterday claimed that the leaked second phone recording clip said to be of her and MP Ranjan Ramanayake was maliciously edited and vowed to take legal action against those who published the clips.


Ranjan Hirunika Leaked Call 1

Ranjan Hirunika Leaked Call 2

Ranjan Hirunika Leaked Call 3

Ranjan Hirunika Leaked Call 4

Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as PM

UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat a short while ago.

He was elected for the fourth time as the Prime Minster in the 2015 Parliamentary Elections. He topped the UNP Colombo district list with 500,566 votes; the most number of preferential votes at a parliamentary election obtained by a candidate. He served as Prime Minister for eight months when President Maithripala Sirisena appointed him following the victory of 2015 Presidential Election. Mr. Wickremesinghe had also served as Prime Minister from May 7, 1993 to August 19, 1994 and December 9, 2001 to April 9, 2004.

Former President and Kurunegala District UPFA MP Mahinda Rajapaksa attended UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s swearing-in ceremony as Prime Minister at the Presidential Secretariat.

Maithri takes oath as President

President Maithripala Sirisena sworn in as the 6th Executive President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka before Supreme Court Judge K. Sri Pawan at the Independence Square in Colombo, yesterday.

Also, opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the country. Speaking, President Maithripala Sirisena said that he does not intend to seek another term in office as President.

He also expressed his concern over the serious misconduct of state media during the presidential election campaign. The new President also said he would strictly adhere to the 100 day work programme tabled during his campaign.

Rani.. Maharaja And the Stone

Ranil Wickremasinghe addressing a press conference said that his life and the party are in danger. He also added that disciplinary action will be initiated against all those who were involved in yesterday’s attack on Sirikotha and that he will exercise his full power as party leader to ensure this.

Property of the UNP headquarters and several nearby vehicles were damaged by party supporters following the leadership election. He also said that Sirasa and Kili Maharaja are a threat to country and UNP. UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe gave the Sirasa media person a huge stone that was thrown to the party headquarters at the conclusion of election of the parties office bearers and ask to hand it over to Mr. Kili maharaja.

Tense situation outside Sirikotha ( Video and photos )

A tense situation has been reported in front of Sirikotha, the UNP headquarters at Pitakotte following the announcement of results of the vote to elect key positions in the party.

Persons claiming to be UNP supporters have thrown stones and broken doors and windows of the headquarters building.

Fifteen persons including UNP Western Provincial Councilor Shiral Lakthilaka have been taken into custody so far in connection to the attack on Sirikotha yesterday (Dec. 19), SP Deshabandu Tennakoon said.

Several vehicles and property of UNP headquarters were damaged yesterday after party supporters pelted stones at the Sirikotha building and at police personnel following the UNP election to decided the party leader.

Loyalists of the party reacted after hearing that Ranil Wickramasinghe was reelected as UNP leader by beating Karu Jayasuriya in the election.

It was reported earlier today that UNP Southern Provincial Councilor Maithri Gunarathne and three Local Government members were also arrested by police for allegedly damaging the property of Sirkotha.

Shiral Lakthilaka along with MP Buddhika Pathirana in October were suspended from party membership impending investigation.

Ranil re elect party leader

Ranil Wickramasinghe has been reelected as the leader of the United National Party in the election held today.

Sajith Premadasa has been elected as Deputy Leader of the UNP defeating Ravi Karunanayake with a majority of 8 votes.

Daya Gamage has been elected as the National Organizer of the UNP defeating Dayasiri Jayasekara by 56:36 votes in the election.

UNP leader RANIL having a shower in SF seth patheema..

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, UNP MP for Gampaha District Ruwan Wijewardene and Member of the Western Provincial Council Harshana Rajakaruna at a Bodji Poja held in Dompe this evening to invoke blessings on DNA Leader Sarath Fonseka who is serving a prison sentence. There was a accident happened to UNP leader Mr. ranil wickremasinghe and minister susil premajanth has revealed that incident with photoes.

these photoes were taken by a dailymirror photographer but he has not release them. But minister DID.

some more from the BODHI POOJA ceremony