A future Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) led National People’s Power (NPP) Government will look into the best interests of the people when negotiating with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) according to a transparent programme, said NPP Opposition Parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (14) following the Budget for the next financial year (2024) being passed by the majority of MPs, Dr. Amarasuriya said that many monetary policies that are to be implemented following the Budget would contract the country’s economy despite Sri Lanka receiving the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility’s (EFF) second tranche. She also said that a future JVP-NPP Government would renegotiate the current IMF agreement according to the will of the people and will continue the debt restructuring programme in a manner which is not unfavourable to the country’s working class. “If we are elected to power, the NPP will definitely renegotiate the IMF agreement according to the mandate that we receive. We will continue the debt restructuring programme, but in a manner which is not harmful to the working class people while taking steps to enhance the manufacturing sector,” she said. She added that the current tax policy, which is a burden to the ordinary class, should be revised since such policies would not convince investors to come to Sri Lanka. Speaking on the exodus of professionals, Dr. Amarasuriya also noted that issues faced by those professionals would be addressed under their Government. She also said that the Budget and the recently passed Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill would further hamper the country’s economic growth since nothing progressive will take place.

However, the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill for 2024 was passed in Parliament on Wednesday (13) with a majority of 41 votes. Accordingly, 122 MPs voted in favour of the Budget 2024, while 81 MPs voted against it, and one MP abstained from voting.

Meanwhile, holding a press conference on Wednesday, the IMF Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Peter Breuer announced that the IMF’s second review under the 48-month EFF arrangement for Sri Lanka is expected to be completed by the end of the first half of 2024.