President Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that if funds had been allocated to local government elections, the country would have faced a tragic situation due to neglected economic recovery efforts. He highlighted the critical need to prioritize funding for essential areas over elections.

"Upon becoming President, I faced numerous challenges. The economy had completely collapsed," said Wickremesinghe. "The local government election occurred against this backdrop. However, there were insufficient funds to allocate for it. Many issues needed prioritization over that election, such as allocating money for importing medicines and fuel."

Despite these challenges, President Wickremesinghe highlighted that the country's economy has been strengthened and is moving forward on a solid foundation. He expressed these views during a meeting with former heads of local government institutions, organized in response to a request from local government representatives across Sri Lanka.