Sri Lanka faces ‘crisis beyond our control’, says President

Interview
By Editor_1
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during Newsweek interview - Newsweek

By Danish Manzoor Bhat

Sri Lanka is struggling to recover from the devastating Cyclone Ditwah even as it was trying to rebuild from a debt crisis and political turmoil, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Newsweek in an exclusive interview as he called for a new approach for debt-burdened countries vulnerable to climate change.

Cyclone Ditwah tore through the Indian Ocean island in late November, leaving well over 600 people dead and 20,000 homeless and causing damage estimated by the president to be in the billions of dollars.

“The damage may well be beyond any natural disaster that our island has endured. So, we will have to service debt while simultaneously rebuilding from climate disasters,” Dissanayake told Newsweek at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. “This is why debt sustainability frameworks for climate-vulnerable countries must change.”

“We just completed historic debt restructuring – $25 billion restructured, $3 billion forgiven. But now we are confronted with a crisis beyond our control,” Dissanayake said.

The country of 22 million people off the coast of India has rarely been spared from crises and suffered nearly three decades of civil war until 2009. Dissanayake was elected just over a year ago on promises of reform in the wake of a 2022 financial crunch that led to protests that brought down the long-standing Rajapaksa political dynasty and then austerity policies as a condition for debt relief.

Sri Lanka holds an important geopolitical position given its proximity and cultural ties to India but also close relations with China – its biggest lender – without forgetting the United States as its largest export market.

Dissanayake noted the rapid Indian help after the cyclone.

“India responded the quickest with Operation Sagar Bandhu. They deployed aircraft, helicopters, naval vessels including aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, and National Disaster Response Force personnel. Our neighbours Pakistan and Maldives also provided invaluable support,” he said.

Sri Lanka did not see its relationships with the major powers of India, China and the United States as a matter of balancing, Dissanayake said.

“Each of our relationships is important to us. We work with everyone, but always with a single purpose – a better world for Sri Lankans, in a better world for all,” Dissanayake said.

Dissanayake wrote a personal appeal to President Donald Trump in April over the imposition of tariffs on clothing and other exports. Tariffs were subsequently lowered.

“For Sri Lanka, success means market access, and renewed investment flows. We are engaging with President Trump’s administration to position Sri Lanka as a stable and reliable partner, and an Indian Ocean hub,” the president said.

Debt to China

Sri Lanka was held up by China’s critics as a prime example of ‘debt-trap diplomacy’, particularly over borrowing for the Hambantota deep water port and Port City. The prospect of long-term Chinese control of the projects also raised fears among China’s adversaries that they could serve military purposes.

“We have been clear that no foreign military bases are permitted and we enforce it. Port City is primarily a commercial development. It will create jobs, attract investment, and generate revenue,” Dissanayake said.

“We have to monitor operations, ensure compliance with Sri Lankan law, and maintain sovereignty over how these assets are used. The projects are realities that we must manage with clear-eyed assessment of Sri Lanka’s interests.”

Before Cyclone Ditwah struck, Dissanayake had been facing the challenge of meeting the expectations of supporters. Thousands of opposition protesters held their first major rally against him in October, accusing him of failing to bring safety and to end corruption and of using law enforcement agencies against his rivals.

The president said he was committed to reforming laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act and restrictive online safety legislation.

“These laws have been used as tools of repression. They are out of place in a democracy,” he said. We are trying to dismantle systems that have been built over decades. The political culture of control and institutional habits don’t change overnight. It requires sustained effort. Our partners should see whether we are moving in the right direction and whether our reforms are substantive.”

The president said authorities were working with victims’ groups, civil society organisations and local experts on a process for addressing past rights violations, including during the civil war marked by atrocities.

Corruption

With regards to the arrest of his predecessor, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, on corruption charges, he rejected accusations of political interference.

“Whether Mr. Wickremesinghe’s arrest is justified depends on evidence, and that should be tested in court through proper process – not the media or through political pressure,” he said.

“On institutional corruption more broadly – yes, it seems as if we haven’t done enough yet. The reason it seems that way is because corruption is deeply entrenched in institutions, built over decades. This means that putting things right requires systemic change, not just arrests.”

Recovering from Cyclone Ditwah now loomed over other challenges, Dissanayake said. Critics have faulted his government’s response and he said such criticism could help to shape future responses, with disaster management systems now under review.

Climate change meant Sri Lanka needed to be prepared for future shocks as well, he said.

“We will be trapped if we don’t act now. This trap is not of our own making. Sri Lanka contributes negligibly to global emissions. But we face existential climate shocks that can destroy years of development progress overnight. But we must break this cycle. We can’t have every flood, every cyclone, every drought does set us back to where we started,” he said. “So we urge our partners to help us build an escape plan to get out of the trap. Help us build climate-resilient infrastructure. This will cost more upfront but will save us from repeated reconstruction.”

– Danish Manzoor Bhat is Editorial Director & Senior Vice President (Asia) at Newsweek where this article was originally featured

Editor_1
You might also like More from author

Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication