NPP faces credibility questions after President warns of import controls while MP Dewananda Suraweera says there is no dollar crisis.
NPP dollar crisis contradictions have triggered serious public confusion after the President warned of import controls while a government MP denied any real crisis.
A glaring contradiction has now emerged within the National People’s Power government, raising questions over whether Sri Lanka is genuinely facing a dollar crisis or whether the public is being misled.
First, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reportedly warned the Cabinet that import restrictions may be needed to protect the economy.
Then, hours later, NPP MP Dewananda Suraweera publicly declared that “there is no dollar crisis” and claimed the shortage was an “artificial” one created by political groups trying to destabilize the government.
The two statements, made in quick succession, have left the public confused and divided.
Is the rupee under real pressure, or is the country facing a political conspiracy?
President Warns Cabinet First
According to reliable government sources, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake led discussions during a special Cabinet meeting on the current economic situation and pressure on the rupee.
The President reportedly said that while Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves are stronger than during the 2022 crisis, global uncertainty, rising import costs, and demand for foreign goods continue to pressure the local currency.
He emphasized that if the situation does not improve, the government may be forced to reintroduce controls on non-essential imports as a temporary step to protect dollar reserves.
However, the President reportedly assured that any restrictions would be imposed cautiously.
Essential items such as food, medicine, and fuel would not be affected.
Cabinet ministers have reportedly agreed to monitor the situation closely in the coming weeks before making any final decision.
Suraweera Says Crisis Is Artificial
Hours after the President’s warning, NPP MP Dewananda Suraweera dismissed fears of a dollar shortage.
He claimed the government holds enough foreign reserves to manage the economy.
“There is no real dollar crisis in this country. What we are seeing is an artificial shortage created by certain political groups to destabilize the government,” Suraweera said.
He further alleged that some groups are hoarding dollars in expectation of further rupee depreciation.
According to him, such groups are trying to profit from short-term gains while creating fear among ordinary citizens.
Suraweera said Sri Lanka currently has US$7 billion in foreign reserves, with over US$8 billion received as remittances.
He also said additional inflows are expected, including US$700 million from the IMF and US$150 million from the World Bank.
“The government has not imposed any import restrictions, not even on fuel or medicine, despite global pressures. The market remains open. People should trust the economy,” he added.
Two Messages From One Government
The contradiction is now impossible to ignore.
Suraweera says there is “no dollar crisis”.
But President Dissanayake reportedly warned that import controls may become necessary.
Suraweera says the shortage is artificial and created by political groups.
But the President reportedly cited global uncertainty, rising costs, and pressure on the rupee.
Suraweera says the government has US$7 billion in reserves.
But the President reportedly said reserves are stronger, yet pressure remains.
Suraweera says no import restrictions have been imposed.
But the President reportedly warned that controls on non-essential imports may have to be reintroduced.
If there is genuinely no crisis, why did the President himself warn the Cabinet about possible import controls?
If the government has US$7 billion in reserves, why is the rupee under pressure?
And if political groups are artificially creating the shortage, why is the head of the same government warning about economic vulnerability?
Public Confusion Deepens
The mixed messaging has already triggered criticism from opposition parties and economists.
“This is either gross mismanagement or deliberate deception. You cannot have a President warning of import controls and an MP from the same party saying there’s no crisis. Which one is the public supposed to believe?” an opposition lawmaker said on condition of anonymity.
Economists also point out that import controls are usually used when a country faces foreign exchange pressure.
They are not normally introduced when reserves are comfortable.
“If the reserves are as healthy as MP Suraweera claims, there would be absolutely no need for import controls. The President would not have raised the issue. Something does not add up,” a Colombo-based economic analyst told this newspaper.
What Is The Government Hiding?
The public is now left asking whether the government is hiding the real scale of the dollar crisis to avoid panic.
Another question is whether Suraweera is downplaying the situation for political reasons to protect the government’s image.
Either way, the contradiction has damaged the government’s credibility on economic management.
Sri Lankans deserve one honest and coherent explanation, not two conflicting stories from the same administration.
When the President himself is the first to warn of possible import controls, the public is more likely to believe him than an MP claiming “there is no crisis.”
