Prime Minister Makes Special Statement In Parliament: "Constitutional Crisis Took A Heavy Toll On Economy And Foreign Reserves"

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka's foreign reserves plummetted by USD 1 million due to the 51-day political standoff. 

Making a special statement in Parliament this morning, the Prime Minister said the constitutional crisis came at a heavy cost to the country's economy. 

Wickremesinghe said plans were afoot to strengthen the economy despite the setback caused by the 51-day political coup. 

The Prime Minister also added that the biggest repayment of debt in Sri Lankan history amounting to USD 2600 million was due on January 14. 

Wickremesinghe also promised to introduce a slew of economic reforms to benefit the public with the next budget. 

The Prime Minister described the next budget, which will be presented to Parliament in early April, as a "people-friendly" one. 

Responding to the Prime Minister's speech, UPFA Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa said those who engineered the bond scam were talking about the economic loss caused by the political crisis.