Sri Lanka will have to buy oil from Russia in the future, says Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He made this statement in an interview with a foreign media.
Q. How do you feel about this situation as a citizen of Sri Lanka?
"As a citizen and as the Prime Minister, the situation is really dangerous. I have governed by providing the people with three basic meals and improving the economic situation. We need fuel and now we are in talks with the private sector fuel suppliers. We will not go and buy privately," he said. Suppliers should be provided so that we buy from them, maybe you do not know whose fuel we are buying from, but we hope that we will get fuel from other sources as well as from the Middle East. "
Q. That means you need more fuel. Are you considering further?
"Yes, if we get it from somewhere, we will take it from Russia. We have been in talks with China. China is pursuing its own concessionary approach, but China has agreed to co-operate with other countries."
The Prime Minister was also interviewed by another foreign channel.
Q: This is your 5th term as Prime Minister. Are you restless?
"Even if it's 5 or 6, I accept it as it comes. There is nothing else to do. But this is the most challenging opportunity."
Q: You are 73 years old. During this time many are retiring or thinking of writing a book.
"What's wrong with being 73 years old?"
Q. There is nothing wrong with age. I wanted to know what motivated you to this situation.?
"After I accepted this, someone sent me a letter saying that Deng Xiaoping started in '73."
Q. Are you an independent Prime Minister or a Rajapaksa-appointed CEO?
"I'm not a CEO. I'm a prime minister. The prime minister will never be a CEO."
Q. Are you an independent Prime Minister?
"Yes, I am an independent Prime Minister."
Q: Is there no President's intervention?
"No. If there is a difference of opinion between us, we will resolve it in the Cabinet or in Parliament."
Q. Are you saying that the President does not oppose your decisions?
"Yeah, I'm let him know about any issues I'm making. He's let me know about the decisions he's making."
0 Comments