Sri Lanka’s new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has officially called on MPs to join a single, all-party government to revive the faltering economy through painful reforms.

Wickremesinghe indicated that “I would like to bring all parties together, go on this trip, and also form a government of all parties,” expecting that “the local economy will contract another 7 percent or so this year and recover. again next year.”

He also called for “a new parliamentary session starting next Wednesday while the 18-minister government is expected to be expanded to include opposition party members”, adding that “it is working to restore stability to the economy and build it in such a way that the country can develop by 2023.” and 2024”, considering it “a difficult task, but at the same time emphasizing that if it is not completed, it will become even more difficult.”

He also pointed out that inflation, currently at 60.8 percent, could rise even further, warning of a further deterioration in economic conditions and their consequences for the lives of citizens.

Wickremesinghe took office earlier this month after public anger over the island’s severe economic crisis forced his predecessor, Gotabay Rajapaksa, to flee the country and step down.