Presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake has attributed Sri Lanka’s 2022 financial crisis to incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe, while largely absolving former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Speaking at an election rally, Dissanayake claimed that Wickremesinghe was the architect of the crisis, whereas Rajapaksa’s missteps stemmed from ignorance.
“They ended essential supplies like oil, gas, and electricity. Ranil Wickremesinghe is one of the main culprits, though he’s hiding today,” Dissanayake said, emphasizing that Gotabaya’s errors were minor and born out of a lack of understanding. He also expressed sympathy for Rajapaksa, saying, “Honestly, I feel bad for him sometimes.”
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court had earlier ruled that Gotabaya Rajapaksa and several key officials had violated fundamental rights by contributing to the country’s financial collapse. Experts have pointed to costly policy errors made by the Rajapaksa administration, but Dissanayake insists the real blame lies with Wickremesinghe.
Dissanayake, leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) and a leading candidate in the upcoming presidential election, criticized Wickremesinghe’s handling of the IMF-backed reform program. He also declared that the country would move on from Wickremesinghe’s leadership after the September 21 election, calling for a fresh start.