Sri Lanka president vows to end nation's 'corrupt' image
Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake
On the anniversary of Sri Lanka’s independence from Britain, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake vowed to reshape the country’s global reputation and eliminate its association with corruption.
Breaking from tradition, the leftist leader opted for a modest military parade rather than the usual grand displays of military jets and horseback processions. This decision aligns with his commitment to reducing excessive government expenditures.
'We are dedicated to changing Sri Lanka’s international image from one tainted by corruption,' Dissanayake declared in a national address.
'Despite facing numerous challenges and the entrenched flaws of past political mismanagement, the people’s government—built through the collective determination of its citizens—is moving forward,' he added.
His administration successfully finalized a long-overdue debt restructuring deal with both bilateral and private creditors late last year, lifting Sri Lanka out of its bankrupt status.
The island nation had defaulted on its $46 billion external debt in April 2022 after depleting its foreign currency reserves, leaving it unable to pay for essential imports such as food, fuel, and medicine.
The economic crisis led to the resignation of then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. His successor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, secured a $2.9 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to stabilize the economy.
After defeating Wickremesinghe in the September elections, Dissanayake has upheld the austerity measures introduced by the previous administration and reaffirmed his commitment to continuing the IMF’s four-year economic recovery program.
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