China factor no threat but mutually beneficial - Dr. Palmer

1 April 2015 04:37 am

By Yohan Perera 
Sri Lanka should not be afraid of Chinese imports or tourists, as they could be beneficial in different ways, an international cooperate sector figure told a public seminar in Colombo yesterday. 
The Atlas Network Executive Vice President for International Programs, Dr. Tom G. Palmer speaking at a public lecture titled ‘Morality of capitalism’ organized by the Bastiat Society of Sri Lanka said, China purchases certain goods from Sri Lanka while exporting its products. “China gives something back to Sri Lanka in return while exporting goods here,” Dr. Palmer noted. 

“Many developed countries are annoyed when China is progressing, and one should not feel that way as these countries too could benefit from the prevailing market conditions,” he added. 
Dr. Palmer said Sri Lanka could create plenty of work opportunities for its citizens through effective management of the free market. 
“Farmers in rural areas who cultivate in state-owned land should be given ownership of those lands. They should be even allowed to sell these lands and live in urban areas with using it as capital. Let they be urbanized as urbanization has become inevitable today. Commercial agriculture could be vested with those who have the means to do it.” 
“Many developed countries are annoyed when China is progressing, and one should not feel that way as these countries too could benefit from the prevailing market conditions,” he added. 
Dr. Palmer said Sri Lanka could create plenty of work opportunities for its citizens through effective management of the free market. 
“Farmers in rural areas who cultivate in state-owned land should be given ownership of those lands. They should be even allowed to sell these lands and live in urban areas with using it as capital. Let they be urbanized as urbanization has become inevitable today. Commercial agriculture could be vested with those who have the means to do it.”