The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Thursday last began its two-week-long second review of the March 2023 bailout of USD 2.9 billion spanning over four years.
Fearing that it will be routed in elections, the ruling party unleashed a propaganda campaign to convince people that elections amid the economic crisis are a bad idea.
The government is concerned about renewed protests against the unpopular former leader, while opposition figures worry Rajapaksa will try to find a way to re-enter politics.
The opposition and other groups have described Wickremesinghe's appointment as a 'power move' by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, actually intended to consolidate power for as long as possible.