President optimistic that economy could be re-built

7 May 2020 09:16 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is optimistic that the economy adversely affected by the COVID – 19 pandemic could be re-built on a solid basis, the President's Media Division said.

The Presidential Task Force in charge of the Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication has been entrusted with the responsibility of formulating a new economic model to achieve this objective. President directed that the Task Force should prepare economic plans with specified targets in different areas that come under its purview and implement them.

The President expressed these views during a meeting with the members of the newly-appointed Task Force held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday to discuss modalities relating to the resumption of civilian life and work from May 11th. "Apparel and tourism sectors which make a huge contribution to the national economy should be revitalized to suit the changing situations," President said.

The President was of the view that new opportunities are now open to attract tourists from countries where the COVID – 19 virus has subdued. Medical tourism can be promoted by highlighting the capabilities of indigenous medical system which was used for treatment of the virus-infected people. In order to encourage high-spending tourists, visas must be issued to them supplemented by an internationally recognized certificate. Some tourists prefer to stay longer than usual in a particular country especially during the winter season.

President highlighted the possibility of strengthening the tourism sector by attracting such long term travellers. Members of the Task Force were told to pay attention to promote domestic tourism so that the local hotel industry could be saved from collapse. President also pointed out the possibility of attracting more foreign investors to invest in the Port City and the Industrial Zone in Hambantota.

The Ministry Secretaries were entrusted with the responsibility of identifying opportunities for investments instead of seeking foreign loans. During the last few weeks a number of new innovations have been made in the country. Steps should be taken to introduce these products to the global market.

Head of the Task Force Basil Rajapaksa said that the newly instituted Task Force has the capability of fulfilling its mandate with a new vision in order to achieve objectives set out by the President. The Task Force will support new businesses and will extend the fullest cooperation to already existing large, medium and small scale enterprises, he stated. Although the private sector offices have been advised to resume work at 10.00 am daily from May 11th, industrial and production activities can be adjusted in accordance with their requirements.

Mr. Basil Rajapaksa warned that no loss of employment should take place both in the state and private sectors while the country is moving forward.

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Comments - 12

Kathirgaman Thursday, 07 May 2020 09:47 AM

As thé coronavrus has Wales up thé western countries to focus on their souveraineté for all essential items without importing from China and other Asian countries Sri Lanka should focus on self production of Rice and other products.

Warnaweera Die Hard SL Citizen Thursday, 07 May 2020 09:52 AM

Yes yes yes and yes. We are a rich country, just don’t ask for moratoriums, from donor countries that provides us with loans while we as a nation is racially divided. Shame on you, as living in the US you had not learnt anything. You were accepted regardless of your race and now you’re part of a group that does this for your survival, do not be so selfish. To revive SL’s economy, you’d need to encourage and abate our exports, not importing from China like freebies of rejected test kits, pretty certain DailyMirror will not publish this as free speech in my country is at a premium, and bullshit reigns fooling the poor. Thank you!

Citizen C Thursday, 07 May 2020 10:02 AM

We have full confidence in you but ....

nadarajah Thursday, 07 May 2020 10:18 AM

yes each one of us has to be optimistic if not its doom choice is ours

Jude Thursday, 07 May 2020 10:24 AM

For starters!! REDUCE the jumbo cabinet to 20 ministers!!! THEN have ONLY 100 Members of Parliament!! GROUND Srilankan Airlines !!! Dear GOTA if YOU can do this!!??? YOU'll be saving the nation approximately Rs.300 BILLION Annually!!! YEAH!!

Kalpadhi Thursday, 07 May 2020 10:38 AM

yes his and Basils

Jude Thursday, 07 May 2020 10:43 AM

ONLY way SL COULD be developed thru agri-based industries including Livestock!!! Take example of Thailand and Vietnam, they've half of working population indulge in AGRICULTURE !! These 2 countries Tourism and garments trade respectively provide a huge economic boost!!!

MH S Thursday, 07 May 2020 03:54 PM

These are just yarns and yarns of fantasy being spun. Evening story time for toddlers would have more truth. When the entire world was doing well, Sri Lanka was barely staying above water due to corruption, nepotism and political cronyism. RW has been co-opted by the R clan to do their bidding. Now we are facing a dangerous test that doesn’t have countenance for lies, politics, racism and shows up immediately with our failures. God help SL.

Mohd Ali Thursday, 07 May 2020 03:58 PM

Dear Prez, first and foremost, change the image. When communities are fighting to show who is more religious than the other, the country's image becomes conservative, which is bad for attracting foreign investors.

Yankee Dude Thursday, 07 May 2020 04:21 PM

Economy of the Rajapakse family will be re-built specially in USA .

Pon Kulendiren Thursday, 07 May 2020 05:26 PM

Recovery of economy is not easy President thinks so long as he takes revengeful attitude agndt minority population and voters who dod not want vorhim. It will take years to build the economy as Sri Lanka has created a bad image of HR internationally. The only solution to resolve the economy dries is the first sole Constitutional crisis is to win the confidence of all ethnic groups. The military rule will not help to build the economy. He has very bad legal and economic advisors who are also ethnically biased. That is the root crisis the country has

Antony Jude Thursday, 07 May 2020 05:32 PM

It is possible if you could stop your military rule and respect Democracy

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President optimistic that economy could be re-built

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