CBSL forcibly converting remittances, alleges Sajith

COLOMBO (News 1st); Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said at the Parliament on Friday (10) that the Opposition is ready to lend a hand to the Government to overcome the economic crisis.

Speaking at the Parliament, the Opposition Leader pointed out that the foreign currency sent from overseas by private citizens are being converted by force by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, alleged that it is an attempt to seize personal assets.

Questioning the Government as to the end results of such measures, the Opposition Leader said that the exports will start opening offices overseas and will move their profit-making ventures elsewhere, which would lead for the foreign revenue in Sri Lanka to gradually drop.

" Prime Minister, there are many alternatives. Speak with the International Monetary Fund, and then we will also support the means to revive the country. We do not want a bankrupt state. Gas explosions and fertilizer can explosions are now being reported. Foreign Reserves are depleting. What is this government doing?" Premadasa questioned.

In addition, the Opposition Leader also stated that the move to hand over the fertilizer crisis to the Army Commander due to the Fertilizer Minister and the Agriculture Minister not being able to handle the crisis is an unwise decision, and said that the fate of the gas explosion crisis would be the same.

In response, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said that several projects are currently in place to revive the economy, and the Finance Ministry and the BOI will work closely on this.

He added that in post-COVID era, most countries like Sri Lanka are facing issues.

"We will face those challenges with mid-term and long-term plans," the Prime Minister added.