The Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Viharaya, Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, claimed yesterday (13) that a Sri Lankan student studying at Cambridge University had intervened to help reduce a 30 percent tariff imposed by former US President Donald Trump.
Addressing a media briefing, the Thera said the student had leveraged an association with a child or grandchild of Trump, which eventually enabled access to the former US President. He added that the details had not been disclosed earlier but were now being revealed.
Dhammarathana Thera further stated that, if necessary, he would even support facilitating a meeting between Trump and local stakeholders as part of what he described as a broader “system change” in Sri Lanka.
He also expressed appreciation to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for postponing the implementation of controversial education reforms until next year following public opposition.
Noting that Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has faced criticism from various quarters, the Thera urged the President to carry out an immediate Cabinet reshuffle and appoint a more suitable individual to the post, warning that failure to do so could undermine efforts toward “system change.”
