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Last Updated : 2024-04-18 08:36:00
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today warned that he would not hesitate to remove officials of the Central Bank (CB) or State Banks from their positions if they fail to take steps to implement the guidelines formulated by the government.
Speaking at a meeting held with a large number of leading exporters at the Presidential Secretariat, President Rajapaksa said he would continue to work with individuals who are ready to fall in line with the government’s guidelines after removing officials who fail to do so.
The President’s Media Division said the meeting was called to apprise the exporters on the current steps taken by the Government to revive the economy whilst the country returning to normalcy and to identify issues in the sector.
He said here is criticism in the society regarding the contribution of the public and private banking sector for the economic revival of the country.
“It can be clearly seen that the reliefs granted by the government for the benefit of the public as well as for business enterprises were not passed down adequately to the society. It is a matter that should be promptly addressed,” he said.
The President said that he will take decisions without fear to deviate from the conventional thinking and work methods to overcome the recession.
The entrepreneurs pointed out the issues related to the non-availability of fertilizer for certain export crops and the shortage of animal food for animal husbandry.
The President said that steps have already been taken to solve these issues. The exporters said that the support given by the institutions directly related to the export process like the Port, Airport, BOI, and Customs is praiseworthy.
Issues revolving the exportation of coconuts, coconut oil, coconut based products, tea, apparels, vegetables, fruits, rubber and rubber based products, Information Technology, seafood, minor crops including black pepper were discussed in depth. Export diversification was recognized as essential during the discussion.
Head of the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication, Basil Rajapaksa said several raw materials have to be imported for re-exportation purposes.
“However, this should be done without causing adverse effects to the local farmers,” Basil Rajapaksa said.
The Government expects households to meet their coconut consumption requirement from their own home gardens.
In the global market there is a very high demand for coconut based exports. As such, the government has devised plans to protect coconut plantations and uplift the Coconut industry in the Northern Province along with other provinces.
The exporters stated that the use of advanced technological methods to gather data of the agro harvests across the country will allow them to purchase these harvests without difficulty.
Exporters have expressed confident that if the right technical equipment and devices are imported they will be able to produce low-cost laptops, computers, mobile phones and telephones locally. President Rajapaksa agreed to assist them in this endeavour.
Ministers Ramesh Pathirana, Prasanna Ranatunga, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force Basil Rajapaksa, Secretary to the President P.B Jayasundera, business leaders in the export sector and several heads of institutes related to imports and exports were present at the discussion. (Lahiru Pothmulla)
Hans perlee Thursday, 11 June 2020 10:17 PM
What if a household died not have a home garden?
Chux Thursday, 11 June 2020 10:31 PM
I hat is your relief package it is only two months as working capital where as people are suffering now all enterprises are bleeding and your pay back for two months are virtually 18 months is it a called relief package???
Kasun Siri Gunartane Thursday, 11 June 2020 11:22 PM
The banks instead of helping SMEs and local suppliers are asking local suppliers for discounts and credit terms for items they supply to the banks. How can they help the economy and people ?
moh Friday, 12 June 2020 03:31 AM
Good Move, Please look into how custom decide duty on certain cosmetic and skincare products. they go to the website and check selling price of other country and base the calculation - suppose if the price of the product in Australia 25 dollars they base the same price here - ignoring living cost and salary in those countries and ignoring operation cost in Sri Lanka
Ram Friday, 12 June 2020 05:50 AM
If fail to implement guidelines, won’t hesitate to sack CB or State Bank officials: President and appoint retired Major Generals and Brigadiers in their places
Odin Friday, 12 June 2020 06:27 AM
Does the threat also apply to your pals who shoot off their mouths at every turn and then shoot off some more to right them?
Paul Friday, 12 June 2020 07:11 AM
This method will lead to bankrupt the state banks if government force the bank's top chairs to implement its program without a proper manner only listen to the properties of small industries. Three state banks (BoC, PB and NSB) are heart of the country's economy. Banks are allowed to do its business independently while giving its contribution to the country's economy.
Tikka Friday, 12 June 2020 07:55 AM
Pardoning murderers?
Rama Kandasamy Friday, 12 June 2020 08:30 AM
The major problem is that the Govt does not have qualified people to run each enterprise. All the qualified efficient people are holding top jobs overseas and would not want to return. What we have are the bottom of the barrel because of nepotism and cronyism . Get rid of them and bring back the expats and fix them in key positions immaterial how old they are. What the country needs is brains not idiots we already have a few in the cabinet like Weerawans Gamanpila and Bandula etc.Disgusting
Dee Friday, 12 June 2020 08:37 AM
'Hitan' the second!
Sokrates Friday, 12 June 2020 08:54 AM
Be discrete, send your White Vans.
TONY Friday, 12 June 2020 09:03 AM
YES, YES, YES. AM WAITING TO REPLACE THEM WITH MY FORMER ARMY COLLEAGUES (EXCEPT SF)
Sambo Friday, 12 June 2020 08:31 PM
Mr. President, this the best you can do for this country as most of the government and state department heads sleeping or involved in monkey business with these unauthorized institutions.
Clau Eri Friday, 12 June 2020 09:20 PM
It's your mistake. Don't threaten the Central Bank. If you informed properly to everyone this all won't happen. You are the main culprit.
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