The launch of the book The Alternative Way: The Way Out of the Imperialist Debt Trap by civil society activist Gayantha Dehiwatte will take place on Saturday, May 31st at 2:30 p.m. at the Sri Lanka Foundation, 7 Nidahas Mawatha, Colombo.
In the book, the author argues that Sri Lanka cannot overcome its economic crisis by relying on dollar loans from the International Monetary Fund. He emphasizes the need for the government to consider the proposal put forward by Russia and China, Sri Lanka’s long-standing allies, to conduct transactions in rubles and yuan. The author warns that continued implementation of the IMF program will increase the tax burden on the already vulnerable lower classes, potentially leading to serious social divisions within the country.
The event will be held under the patronage of Anil Jayantha, Deputy Minister of Labour and Economic Development. It will feature keynote lectures by Dr. Kalpa Rajapaksa, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Economics at the University of Peradeniya, and economist Janakie Senaviratne. A number of politicians with a keen interest in economic affairs are also expected to attend.
The author, an alumnus of St. Joseph’s College, Maradana, holds both bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees in science from Monash University, Australia. His research papers on economics have been well received at several foreign universities. He invites all those interested in understanding and addressing the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka to attend the event.