All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader MP Rishad Bathiudeen told Parliament on Friday that maintaining constructive dialogue and strategic international partnership with our most supportive neighbour India was a must and a connecting bridge between the two countries was necessary.

Bathiudeen said that there was an urgent need for constructive governance in Sri Lanka, particularly in the light of the country’s economic challenges.

He found fault with the current government’s focus on blaming previous administrations rather than addressing pressing issues.

Bathiudeen expressed concern that the current government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was spending excessive time on disparaging past governments instead of focusing on finding solutions to the country’s problems.

He said that the electorate’s choice of the current leadership was driven by a desire for change and effective governance.

The MP warned that without prudent decision-making, Sri Lanka risks falling into a deeper economic crisis, despite its abundant resources. He underscored the importance of collaboration and strategic planning to leverage the country’s assets for economic recovery.

Bathiudeen stressed the significance of India as a key partner for Sri Lanka, particularly in terms of economic support and connectivity. He noted the absence of discussions regarding road connectivity during the President’s recent visit to India, specifically referencing the proposed bridge between Sri Lanka and India, which had been a topic of previous administrations.