Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

We would have been better off, had we created a production based economy: PM

12 December 2020 07:04 am - 18     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka would have been better off economically despite the COVID-19 pandemic had the country adopted a policy of focusing on producing import alternatives rather than depending on other countries, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said yesterday.

Winding up the committee stage debate on the budget in Parliament on Thursday, the Prime Minister said it is only those countries which depend on other nations which are badly affected by the pandemic.

“COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that Sri Lanka is also affected by global happenings. However, it is those countries which depend on others which are affected more by the pandemic.we would have been better off if we had created a production-based economy,” the Prime Minister said.

“Pandemic has also taught us that Sri Lanka should allocate more funds on technology,” he added. He said the Government will spend Rs 90 billion for expenditure in relation to COVID-19 pandemic by the end of this year. “we have spent Rs 70 billion for the pandemic at the time I read the budget speech in November this year. However, we have spent Rs 82 billion as of today. We hope to spend Rs 90 billion by the end of December this year,” he said. Referring to the downgrading of Sri Lanka’s credit ratings by rating agencies, the Premier said those who criticise for this do not realise that ratings of 40 other countries have been downgraded more than Sri Lanka.we have been able to settle borrowings successfully,” he said.

He said the funds more than 300 billion allocated for road development will be a benefit for farmers at the end of the day.

“Is the items such pots of curd and banana flowers of the ordinary that come to Colombo through these roads? This government will go down in history as the administration which was engaged in road development the most after British Governor Edward Baines. I am sorry to name a foreigner as a person who was engaged in road development. i had to mention his name as the opposition had not done any work with regard to road development during their regime,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the government will take into consideration and implement the proposals made by the opposition and others which are practical. (YOHAN PERERA AND AJITH SIRIWARDANA)


Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 18

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Bootlicker Saturday, 12 December 2020 01:06 PM

    We would have also been better off under the british! You people dont know how to run a country

    ChanakaJ Saturday, 12 December 2020 01:39 PM

    Yes, that's why "these guys" have managed the Covid situation well compared to many other countries!! UK has over 62,000 deaths ( official figure)

    Sashi Saturday, 12 December 2020 01:40 PM

    So immigrate to Britain!

    Selvakumar Saturday, 12 December 2020 01:55 PM

    Their should know how to run the country, but their don't have money to run the country.

    Hondha Hitha Saturday, 12 December 2020 02:20 PM

    Definitely we would have been better under British

    Raman Saturday, 12 December 2020 01:13 PM

    Stop family rule. Country will prosper. From D.S.Senanayake, S.W.R.D, Chandrika, and now present Rajapakses, all based with family rule. Fault is with the people.

    CNW PATHIRANA Saturday, 12 December 2020 01:30 PM

    Totally wrong PM. We being a small country need to produce only essentials. Other stuff u can import 10 times cheaper and those labour used for creative enterprises and earn 10 times than production..

    SandunW Saturday, 12 December 2020 01:32 PM

    Fair comment about road development; we have ALL benefitted from the roads and highway connections.

    REX Saturday, 12 December 2020 01:43 PM

    Now that we have our migrant workers back on home soil, provide them with employment, and utilise their skills and experience to progress the country forward!

    Nadi Karunaratne Saturday, 12 December 2020 01:48 PM

    We would also have been better off with leaders who understood business and basic economics, were not corrupt and appointed experts not family to make decisions. Your legacy will be ethnic division and an economy that looks like Zimbabwe on a bad day.

    saras Saturday, 12 December 2020 02:06 PM

    "Realisation comes very late in life" if not in MahindaChindannaya,

    malli Saturday, 12 December 2020 02:13 PM

    Since independence Sri Lanka has only produced beggars. This will never end until we get rid of corrupted morons

    Latley gunasekera Saturday, 12 December 2020 03:59 PM

    Looking back , you‘ re always smarter.

    roni Saturday, 12 December 2020 05:43 PM

    Why was this hindsight of production based economy not adopted during your term in office.

    Lucifer Saturday, 12 December 2020 09:48 PM

    What? We have been the greatest producer of con's and criminals to the world!

    Add Wiser Saturday, 12 December 2020 10:24 PM

    Production based economy needs a productive society with strong work ethic and moral fiber. First things first.

    Pantha Kumaran Saturday, 12 December 2020 11:10 PM

    I am not against the Rajapakses. But Rajapakses think they only can run (ruin) our country. Take my word in 3 years we will borrow more and more money from China and we will sell our country to China. People like Sarath Weerasekera is against Tamils. Without Tamils support Sri Lanka is dead.

    ram Saturday, 12 December 2020 11:11 PM

    It is obvious that Pillayan is part of the government and SLPP. The International community should note about it. If any countries like Pillayan, then can accept this partnership


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H