NPP Member Likens Elon Musk to an Economic Hitman, Criticizes Government’s Investment Policies

June 01, Colombo (LNW):National Peoples’ Power (NPP) member Sunil Handunneththi has compared billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk to an economic hitman, criticizing the Sri Lankan government’s openness to such foreign investors. Addressing the media, Handunneththi expressed concerns over the government’s efforts to attract high-profile investors like Musk, claiming that the Board of Investment (BOI) has been restructured to facilitate this.

Handunneththi likened Musk to other controversial billionaires such as Hungarian-American hedge fund manager George Soros and Australian businessman James Packer. He argued that investors like Musk do not offer benefits without expecting significant returns, suggesting that their involvement could have detrimental effects on the local economy.

He further criticized President Ranil Wickremesinghe for promoting the Economic Transformation Bill, which he claims was not demanded by the people. Handunneththi contends that this legislation is part of a broader strategy to bring in foreign investors, potentially at the expense of national interests.