By Chatura Pamunuwa

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe commended President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, on Saturday, for continuing with the IMF programme, initiated under the former’s watch as the President. He said it was a critical step for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

Wickremesinghe said so at the inauguration of the Amari Colombo Hotel, the first-ever five-star international hotel owned by a Lankan entrepreneur in Colombo.The hotel, part of the Amari Hotel chain, is owned by W. Winil, head of the Winil Group of Companies. The event marked a milestone in the local hospitality industry, with the establishment of a world-class facility under Sri Lankan ownership.

Speaking at the event, Wickremesinghe stressed the importance of utilising the country’s existing capacity as a foundation for economic revival.

” I express my appreciation for President Anura Dissanayake and the government for adhering to the framework agreed upon with the IMF. We cannot deviate from it. Once we maximize our existing capacity, we can then explore new paths for development,” he said.