President envisions robust new economy amidst COVID-19
Posted on April 16th, 2020
Courtesy Adaderana
Meeting with the secretaries to ministries yesterday (15) at the Presidential Secretariat, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa discussed rebuilding the economy in the face of the current challenges.
Returning to normalcy without compromising safety
A focal point of the discussion was on returning to normalcy, stated president’s Media Division. Thereby, the President emphasized the need for the public and private sectors to recommence its business activities. Thus curfew needs to be eased to allow these functionalities to proceed without undue obstruction. The responsibility of ensuring the public adhering to safety regulations and preventing large gatherings was entrusted on the secretaries to the ministries as well as heads of institutes.
Creating a New Economic Trend
Rebuilding a policy-driven economy is the responsibility of all, noted President. Whilst protecting people and the local economy, the responsibility of creating a new economic trend lies with the ministries. It is important to establish new businesses and industries. Experienced entrepreneurs must have fresh opportunities. The relevant ministries must at the same time extend the required foundation and support needed for agrarian and fisheries sectors as well as other businesses to recover.
Taking the global crisis into consideration, the need to pay special attention to the local agrarian economy was underlined. Facilities needed to maximize production of export agricultural crops from available land must also be provided, President instructed the officials. Thus it is very important that even the farmer at the village level has easy access to the State machinery.
Recommencing stalled development projects
The discussions also centered on restarting the development projects that were halted due to the prevailing crisis. As a starting point, the initiation to add 100,000 km to the existing road network was decided to be prioritized.
Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundara, Principal Advisor to President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senarath and Cabinet Secretary S. Amarasekera also joined the discussion.
April 17th, 2020 at 3:01 am
If you do not want anything to happen, then appoint a committee of experts. And if you do not want to catch any thieves appoint a presidential commission, as per our past experience. If nothing else fails you can (legally) bury it in the archives for 30 years.
It has always been just one man’s vision that has done enormous good (or bad) to a country in the human history, to my mind:
From the recent history, LYK of Singapore, Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, the Military General (forgot his name) of South Korea, Hitler of Germany and Mao of China. And from the distant past, Alexander the great of Greece, Emperor Asoka of India, Dutu Gemunu and not forgetting Parakramabahu of SL. Can we add Gotabhaya (as expected by 6.9 million)?; time will tell.
April 17th, 2020 at 7:08 am
Great men built countries out of nothing theory is frequently questioned by serious historians. For example study how Singapore made big profits in the wake of Vietnam war and how well it has become the fulcrum of surrounding poorer lot. The same recipe may not work elsewhere; India is a far harder market to crack many businessmen say. Under current trend we are more likely to become another satellite economy of So.