Former Minister and leader of the National Freedom Front, Wimal Weerawansa, has said that there is a possibility of him contesting the next Presidential Election and that he could potentially secure the Presidency.
Responding to questions raised by journalists, Weerawansa said it was ultimately up to the people to decide who was most suitable to lead the country and stressed that he did not need to certify his own qualifications.
“There is a possibility. The people must decide who is qualified to be the leader. I do not need to speak about myself,” he said.
Criticising the current Government’s economic policy direction, Weerawansa claimed that Sri Lanka should pursue an alternative strategy rather than continue on a path determined by the International Monetary Fund.
He said that Sri Lanka should work closely with countries such as China, India and Russia to manage its debt burden and steer the country towards what he described as a new strategic direction.
“We should not continue on a journey dictated by the IMF. Sri Lanka needs a leader who can take the country on a different path, manage the debt burden with the support of countries such as China, India and Russia, and introduce a new strategic approach,” he said.
Weerawansa also took aim at President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, mocking what he described as the Government’s continued adherence to IMF-backed policies.
“Whether it is Ranil, Anura, Sajith or Namal, if they continue on the same path, it will make no difference,” he said. “Anura’s slogan is essentially, ‘Which road are we taking? The same road taken before.’ And that road, according to him, is the IMF road.”
