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Gotabaya defends former regime’s decision to obtain loans from China

02 Jul, 2018

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has defended the decision taken by the former Government to obtain loans from China.

The former Government under then President Mahinda Rajapaksa developed a close bond with China and depended on the Chinese for loans to develop the country.

However the current administration, while still maintaining close links with China, is also obtaining loans from international donor agencies.

Speaking at the??Eliya? conference in Dambulla,?Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka was now suffering the consequences of obtaining loans from international donor agencies like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The former Defence Secretary said that the current Government has had to fall in line with the demands of the?World Bank and IMF by depending on loans from those agencies.

Rajapaksa said that foreign advisors linked to international donor agencies fail to properly study local culture and requirements and give advise which hurt the country.

The former Defence Secretary also defended the policies of Mahinda Rajapaksa saying he ensured democracy was maintained.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that when his brother Mahinda Rajapaksa was President he took steps to disarm paramilitary groups and ensure free and fair elections in the North and East of the country.

Rajapaksa said that the opposition will look to topple the current Government and lay the groundwork for a new Government to take office.?(Colombo Gazette)

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