Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) for allegedly continuing the policies of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, particularly regarding Sri Lanka’s dealings with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Premadasa accused Dissanayake’s administration of betraying its electoral promises by prioritizing IMF conditions over the needs of the public.
Premadasa highlighted that, despite AKD’s pledges to alleviate the economic burdens faced by Sri Lankans, key promises such as reducing electricity and fuel prices remain unfulfilled. He argued that the government has failed to offer meaningful relief and questioned its transparency in implementing reforms. Premadasa further warned that Dissanayake’s governance risks repeating the “austerity-first” approach adopted by Wickremesinghe, which Premadasa believes contributed to the erosion of public trust during the previous administration.
Despite these critiques, Dissanayake’s government has pledged to continue with the IMF program while exploring renegotiations to ease austerity measures. However, this balancing act between economic reform and public expectations remains a significant challenge for the new administration, which came to power with a strong anti-corruption platform and promises of systemic change.
