'Re-engage with the IMF,' Ranil tells Govt. in first speech to Parliament

COLOMBO (News 1st); The rich have been given relief by the government while the poor have been left to starve, alleged Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (23) in his first speech to Parliament after he was sworn in as a National List MP.

He said Sri Lanka's only option to address the economic crisis is to re-engage with the International Monetary Fund.

"If you do not agree to work with the IMF, you must inform the house of the alternative," he told the Government adding that there is no use in speaking of the statistics without having an alternative.

The UNP National List MP slammed the COVID-19 Task Force as a failure adding the Task Force cannot move forward.

"According to the constitution such a responsibility lies with the Cabinet of Ministers and Parliament," he said while questioning why the Cabinet of Ministers is not empowered with dealing with the COVID-19 crisis.