The Government is attempting to sign the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC agreement) with a couple of amendments following the General Election, UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said.
He also said that the Government is trying to negotiate a deal of Treasury Bonds and bills with the USA.
Speaking at an election rally in Ratnapura on Tuesday, Wickremesinghe said it has been confirmed that the Government has requested US$ 1 billion from the New York branch of the US Central Bank (Federal Reserve).
“The Government is also planning to sign the MCC agreement despite the initial election promise that a Pohottuwa Government will discard the said agreement. The Government has been unable to find a way to get out of the serious economic difficulties the country is going through. The country lost closer to US$ 7000 million due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the country’s economy was severely hit even before the pandemic. The Government does not receive foreign aid since the international community does not approve of the Government’s policies,” he added.
Wickremesinghe pointed out that the Government needs the support of Parliament to sign the MCC Agreement, but it is planning to go ahead with it without the support of Parliament. “The International Monetary Fund (IMF) did not grant Sri Lanka the US$ 850 million financial facility it granted to countries such as Pakistan, Myanmar, Maldives and Nepal. The Government will bow down to any condition by the IMF after the Election to get the financial facility,” Wickremesinghe alleged. “If the UNP is given power, the international community will confidently support the Government,” he added.
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