President reiterates, difficult times ahead

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Ranil Wickremesinghe says Sri Lanka has '6 difficult months ahead' as the island nation attempts to stabilize the economy through agreements with the IMF.

Speaking at a forum organized by the Advocata Institute in Colombo today (05), President Wickremesinghe said that the 'way out' for the country is through the agreements reached with the IMF. 

"Although people talk of alternative measures, they have not worked out," the President said, emphasizing that first and foremost, Sri Lanka has to enter into the standby agreement, with the staff level agreement with IMF. 

"If any member of Parliament or any party says we are not for the agreement, then we have the right to ask what their solution is. All parties must abide by this agreement," he said.

The Head of State also emphasized that although the situation may be bitter, any medicine for recovery is bitter.

"It is certainly going to be a difficult time. I wont say no. The first six months will be very difficult. It will be a period which we have not seen before but we all have to go through this. If anyone have proposals which will make it easier certainly I think we should hear it and the parliament could then decide on these proposals. otherwise we dont have any other way except to bite the bullet," the President added.