In an interview with Al Jazeera, the Prime Minister has stated that even so, it will take 18 months for economic stability to arrive.
He has mentioned there that the year 2023 will be difficult and the situation will be optimistic by the year 2024.
"I am confident that I can change the economy", the Prime Minister has stated.
“We buy fuel either using Indian credit lines or foreign exchange from remittances. It [the remittance] is a small amount. Maybe we get a billion or a billion and a half dollars. The rest of the reserves have already been exhausted from what we got from the creditors.”
The Prime Minister has stated that the current situation has created a big setback for the economy and many difficulties for the people.
He has mentioned in that interview that he is taking necessary steps to get gas in the next few days.
"The problem is the petrol... it takes a while."
The Prime Minister has stated that Sri Lanka has reached an agreement with the International Monetary Fund at the staff level and that it is necessary to stabilize the economy.
The Prime Minister has also mentioned that his government is planning to bring an interim budget probably in August.
The Prime Minister has also commented on the people's struggle against the current administration.
“I don't think the protesters have many demands. They just want change. It is not just about abolishing the executive presidency. How to strengthen the parliament?
The youth… feel abandoned by the existing system. That is a valid point they have made. Parties should be open.”
The Prime Minister has mentioned there that he has submitted several proposals regarding changing the parliamentary structure and forwarded it to the former Speaker Mr. Karu Jayasuriya.
The Prime Minister has stated that his proposals and the report will probably be presented to Parliament on Wednesday.
Al Jazeera has stated that Mr. Wickramasinghe, who has good relations with Western countries, tried to get the support of various countries including India, China, Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom, including the member countries of the European Union.
“The main countries are Japan, India and China. "Japan has expressed interest in keeping Tokyo as a meeting place for a donor conference," he said.
“We plan to allocate 200 billion rupees ($560 million) in the interim budget for welfare. We have already allocated the money. I hope it will be enough with the food program we are planning," the Prime Minister has stated.
“I don't want anyone to go hungry. People have already started several community kitchens in Colombo city and this can be expanded. But we are taking measures so that no one goes hungry."
The Prime Minister has mentioned that he plans to make Sri Lanka self-sufficient in terms of food from the year 2023.
“We are making all efforts to secure adequate funds. Accordingly we can start the next season from October-November to around January-February 2023. We will need about 500-600 million dollars. Once fertilizers, seeds and other chemicals are available, we will be self-sufficient in food by 2023 if there is no drought.”
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