Deputy Minister Nalin Hewage made a bold statement at a National People’s Power (NPP) rally held at the Samanala Stadium in Galle, claiming that Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves have grown exponentially since the National People’s Power (NPP) assumed office.
According to Hewage, when the NPP assumed leadership, the country’s foreign reserves stood at a mere USD 20 million. However, he stated that those reserves have now surged to USD 6.5 billion.
He attributed this success to the NPP government’s strategic stabilization of the economy and their focus on developing the country’s tourism sector. As a result, he predicted that Sri Lanka will welcome three million tourists in 2025 alone, a significant boost to the country’s economy.
Hewage also made a light-hearted comment, urging the public to stay cautious at night as the influx of foreign tourists might lead to unexpected encounters, particularly with foreign women. “People should be careful when going out at night; there’s a high chance of bumping into a foreign girl,” he said.
He further elaborated on the political climate when the NPP assumed power, describing Sri Lanka as a nation “at great risk,” comparing it to a bus teetering on the edge of a cliff. He credited the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for taking up the challenge of steering the country to safety.
However, Hewage’s remarks on the state of Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves have raised eyebrows. According to official data from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the country’s gross official reserves amounted to approximately USD 6 billion at the end of September 2024, not the USD 20 million as claimed by the Deputy Minister. Sri Lanka’s presidential election was held on September 21, 2024.
Leave a comment