Opposition wanted meeting with bondholders: Harsha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya asked for a meeting with bondholders with whom restructuring talks are underway and not the International Monetary Fund, offered by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, a legislator said.

Opposition legislator Harsha de Silva said he asked parliament for a meeting with bondholders in the presence of President Wickremesinghe since any deal made by the current administration will commit the opposition that comes to power.

He said that if Sri Lanka strikes a deal with foreign bondholders that cannot be implemented, the country can go for a second default.

“What I said was that to come to an agreement with bondholders transparently with the agreement of opposition parties,” De Silva said.

“What was meant was not for the agreement to be brought to parliament and approved by the 113 majority saying everyone is agreed.

“I said to bring opposition to a place where they can bear the responsibility. There is another group with Anura Dissanayake. I am of the view that they should also be part of that responsibility.”

Instead, President Wickremesinghe offered a meeting with the IMF.

The IMF, in any case, met the main opposition and other representatives.

The agreement with the IMF was done, though the SJB hoped to make changes if they came to power.

“We did not ask for a meeting with the IMF,” de Silva told reporters.