Newly appointed PM Ranil Wickremesinghe aims to protect 'Crisis-Hit' Srilanka

• Image Credit: Internet

• May 17, 2022 | Poonam Nath

After the country had been without a government since Monday, Wickremesinghe got appointed as Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister. 

Digital Desk: Sri Lanka's newly-appointed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe warned on Monday that the next two months would be difficult and that his goal is to save the country from the ongoing economic crisis, rather than a person, family, or group, an apparent reference to the Rajapaksa family and former strongman Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The 73-year-old United National Party (UNP) leader also stated in his first televised address to the nation after becoming prime minister last week that US dollars will be sourced from open markets to pay for petrol, crude, and furnace oil shipments in Sri Lankan waters.

Wickremesinghe was named Sri Lanka's 26th prime minister on Thursday after the country had been without a government since Monday when Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned following a violent attack on anti-government protesters by his supporters.

Wickremesinghe stated, "I am undertaking a dangerous challenge, I am wearing shoes with sharp nails that cannot be removed, and I accept this challenge for our nation. My goal and dedication are not to save an individual, a family, or a party. My objective is to save all the people of this country and the future of our younger generation."

He anticipated that the next two months would be the most difficult in the ongoing economic crisis. "The coming months will be the most difficult of our lives. We must be prepared to make some sacrifices and face the challenges of this period. "He said this while speaking to the nation about the current crisis.

Wickremesinghe stated that the Sri Lankan economy is currently in dire straits and that Colombo needs USD 75 million within the next few days to alleviate the current lines for essentials.

"At the moment, we only have enough petrol for one day," he said, adding that the Indian credit line would alleviate diesel shortages.

He further added, "For over 40 days, 3 ships with crude oil and furnace oil have been anchored within the maritime zone of Sri Lanka. We are working to obtain dollars in the open market to pay for these shipments."

There is a possibility that the daily power outages will increase to 15 hours a day, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has warned. He also said he would reluctantly have to permit money printing to pay public service salaries. 

Sri Lankan Airlines suffered a loss of Rs. Forty-five billion in 2021 alone, he added.

"We will have to incur losses even if we privatise Sri Lankan Airlines". The prime minister stated that these losses must also be borne by people who have never stepped inside a plane.

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has called for a national assembly or political body to resolve the crisis. 

Sri Lanka is going through its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948. The crisis also triggered a political crisis with protests over the appointment of new PM Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Also Read: Sri Lanka Crisis: Finance Minister Ali Sabry Resigns Only a Day After Being Appointed