Artist Sangeeth Wijesuriya says he was informed by a Government Minister that International Monetary Fund (IMF) regulations would not permit a proposed US$ 23 million donation to be brought into Sri Lanka following the election victory of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Speaking to Lahiru Mudalige of Hari TV, Wijesuriya recalled campaigning for Dissanayake during the Presidential Election and publicly claiming that overseas supporters were prepared to financially support Sri Lanka if he came to power.

He said he was emotionally moved when discussions first took place with individuals willing to contribute funds to help the country, noting that he had previously heard allegations about corruption and commissions linked to past administrations.

Wijesuriya claimed that after the election victory, a group of four individuals from countries including Australia and the UK had expressed readiness to provide around US$ 23 million in support for Sri Lanka.

According to him, the group had not intended the money as an investment, but rather as financial assistance for the country.

However, Wijesuriya said they were later informed by a Government Minister that IMF-related regulations would not allow such funds to be directly transferred to the country in that manner.

He said the explanation given was that such transactions could not be accommodated under existing IMF frameworks and financial regulations.

Wijesuriya further stated that Sri Lankans living overseas remain deeply attached to the country and would be willing to contribute financially if there was a proper mechanism to do so.

The artist also defended his earlier public comments regarding overseas financial support, saying he had spoken honestly based on the information available to him at the time. (Newswire)

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