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Sri Lanka President Pledges to Eradicate Corruption on Independence Anniversary

Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake marks Independence Day with a pledge to end corruption and ensure economic stability.

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Sri Lanka President Pledges to Eradicate Corruption on Independence Anniversary

Leftist President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake marked the country’s independence anniversary on Tuesday with a strong pledge to change its global image from a corrupt nation to one of transparency and integrity.

Unlike past celebrations featuring extravagant military displays, Dissanayake opted for a modest military march, fulfilling his commitment to reducing government expenses. “We are committed to transforming Sri Lanka’s global image from a country known for corrupt governance,” he stated in his national address.

He acknowledged past governance failures but emphasized that his administration, built by the collective will of citizens, is making steady progress despite challenges.

Economic Stability and Debt Restructuring

Sri Lanka successfully concluded a long-delayed debt restructuring last year, ending its status as a bankrupt nation. The country had defaulted on its $46 billion external debt in April 2022, triggering a severe economic crisis that led to the resignation of former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

His successor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, secured a $2.9 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Dissanayake, who defeated Wickremesinghe in last September’s elections, has upheld austerity measures and vowed to continue the four-year IMF bailout program.

New Political Culture in Sri Lanka

“As the new government, over the past four months, we have laid the foundation for a stable economy and introduced a new political culture,” Dissanayake affirmed.

His administration’s focus on economic reform and governance transparency aims to restore confidence in Sri Lanka’s future.