Independent presidential candidate Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued a stark warning regarding potential changes to existing agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other international bodies.

Wickremesinghe cautioned that altering these agreements, as proposed by fellow candidates Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake, could lead to another economic collapse.

Wickremesinghe highlighted the success of his administration in securing debt relief agreements with the IMF, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and 18 creditor nations. These agreements have resulted in $10 billion in debt relief and an extension of the repayment period until 2043.

"We have successfully secured debt relief agreements with the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and 18 creditor nations. This has resulted in $10 billion of debt relief, and the repayment period has been extended until 2043. If we continue to follow these agreements, our economy will strengthen," Wickremesinghe stated.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining these agreements to ensure economic stability and growth. Wickremesinghe urged voters to consider the potential risks of abandoning the current program, which he believes could lead to a decline in the rupee and further economic instability.

"It’s now up to the people to decide in this presidential election whether to maintain this progress. Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake propose to change the current program, but doing so would forfeit these concessions, potentially leading to a decline in the rupee once again. I believe the people of this country are not willing to take that risk. Their promises do not suit the economic needs of the country today," he added.