Former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said the economic crisis in Sri Lanka did not start with the outbreak of the COVID19.

"It was clear from the start that the government did not have a plan to manage the economy. That was the reason for the downfall of the economy," Wickremesinghe said addressing an election meeting.

"Had they continued with the fuel price formula, the cost of living could have been reduced," Wickremesinghe explained.

"Festival allowances given to government servants were cut down. They fooled the government servants into voting for this government but did not deliver on the promises given to them."

"They can't blame it all on the Coronavirus. The downturn of our economy started way before the pandemic due to the wrong policies of the current government," Wickremesinghe explained.