When a new government is formed he would negotiate directly with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington instead of dealing with ‘local jokers’, said Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe while addressing a forum in Colombo with common opposition candidate Maithripla Sirisena to explain their future strategies to the business community.

While speaking further Mr. Wickremesinghe said he disagrees with the recent IMF assessments that all was well with Sri Lanka’s exchange rates for example and that the numbers did not add up.

He added that he plans to deal directly with the Washington based IMF headquarters for the next generation of structural reforms.

“They come here, write books and then go back. I will not waste time with the jokers here. I will deal directly with Washington,” said Mr. Wickremesinghe.

While seeking the participation of the Sri Lankan business community, he said, “We have to go for the second generation of structural reforms which will promote competition and innovation and productivity gains. Are you ready for this?”

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said there was a need to restructure short term international government debts with the help of the IMF and others, while adding that Sri Lanka’s data was questionable and state revenues were low.