Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that a significant portion of Sri Lanka’s exports are directed to the U.S. market and that these exports now face intense competition due to the retaliatory tariffs imposed under President Donald Trump. While other nations have engaged with U.S. economic policymakers and reached mutual understanding agreements to mitigate the impact of these tariffs, Sri Lanka’s economic leaders and industrial sector representatives have failed to do the same.
He said that when the Samagi Jana Balawegaya raises these concerns, the government makes grand declarations about sending diplomatic delegations and holding discussions—yet, to this day, no solutions have materialized. At a time when the country’s export sector is under threat, he criticized the government for remaining inactive and unable to provide meaningful answers or solutions.
The Opposition Leader made these remarks while participating in his Mobile Service initiative held today in the fishing village of Kalawewa, where he also examined the problems faced by the local community.
He further noted that Sri Lanka is required to repay its foreign debt by 2028. While the current administration is continuing with the IMF agreement initiated by the previous government, he questioned how the country plans to meet its debt obligations amidst unresolved export challenges. He pointed out that a 5% economic growth rate is necessary to meet these payments, but the projected growth for this year is only 3.5%, and 3.1% for the next. Without reaching the 5% target and without proper recognition of the export sector, debt repayment remains highly uncertain.
Premadasa also recalled that during the tenure of President Ranasinghe Premadasa, Sri Lanka was able to bring in foreign revenue through 200 garment factories. In contrast, he said, exports are now in decline under the current government, which still has not been able to secure any agreement with President Trump regarding the tariff issue.
He went on to criticize the political culture in Sri Lanka, where public representatives engage with citizens only during election time to win votes, then forget them after assuming office. He said he is working to change this approach. He warned that the country is facing a vacuum caused by a lack of attention to people’s problems, a lack of solutions, and a failure to provide clear answers. The people in this region, he said, are also burdened with multiple challenges that the current government fails to understand.
He emphasized that today, survival has become difficult for many, with people struggling even to afford three meals a day. In the absence of stable income sources, individuals are falling into debt and are forced to mortgage their properties and jewelry just to get by.
Premadasa also stated that whether it is the tourism, agriculture, or fisheries sector, none of these currently offer the potential to create a high standard of living. People lack basic ownership documents such as deeds and permits, and with homes and land holding no capital value, development is stifled. Issues related to land and housing remain unresolved. While tourism linked to the wildlife sector holds promise, it has yet to be effectively developed.
He concluded by saying that the problems faced by the people in the area would be documented and presented in Parliament in order to seek solutions. Additionally, he assured that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, as the opposition, would take steps to provide practical solutions wherever possible.
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