Heads will roll unless state institutions perform; President warns

2 June 2023 08:02 am - 31 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his televised address to the nation, asserted that his government would not hesitate to replace the heads of the state institutions such as the Ceylon Electricity Board, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and SriLankan Airlines unless they improved their performance in conformity with the restructuring plan for public enterprises.

The president envisioned a four-pillar programme to revive the economy, said there are currently 430 public enterprises operating in 33 sectors of the economy. He said these enterprises employ six per cent of the Sri Lankan population but many of these enterprises had garnered monopolistic positions in the market, hindering private investment.

“Price fixing, inefficient management, and poor entrepreneurship have weakened public finances, turning these institutions into national burdens that are dependent on the taxpayer. We have already initiated the preparation of a restructuring plan for public enterprises. Additionally, we expect the chief officers of these enterprises to be committed to improving their performances. If they fail to meet the annual targets assigned to them, we will not hesitate to replace them with more suitable candidates,” he said.

In an obvious reference to elements attempting at rabble-rousing, the president vowed not to allow anyone to drag ‘motherland’ back to where it was a year ago.

“Today, some individuals seem to have forgotten the hardships endured by Sri Lankans during that time. Our economy contracted by 8.7%, our foreign exchange reserves hit rock bottom, and we experienced one of the highest inflation rates in the world. Foreign loans went unpaid, pushing the country into bankruptcy. Food Businesses collapsed, leading to job losses and income sources drying up. Hospitals faced shortages of medication, schools had to close, and power cuts lasting 10-12 hours became commonplace. The country was in disarray, with people struggling to survive,” he said.

He said the country’s development had been based on four primary pillars: fiscal and financial reforms, investment drive, social protection and governance, and state-owned enterprises transformation.

The President expressed his satisfaction that the country is beginning to experience relief from economic pressures.

Taking a swipe at groups involved in traditional politics, he said these elements were involved in attempts to hinder economic revival.

They are spreading false information about our reform agenda and intentionally misleading the public with claims that we are selling off the country. Throughout history, these groups have continuously resorted to fear-mongering tactics, falsely asserting that our actions are driven by a desire to sell out our nation. They have deceived many Sri Lankans in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and even the 1980s, instilling an irrational fear of the country being sold away. From then until now, these groups have disrupted real progress for economic reform by perpetuating this slogan of “selling the country”, he said. (Kelum Bandara)

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Comments - 31

Tom Friday, 02 June 2023 08:35 AM

At last we have found the correct person to lead our country.

Man Friday, 02 June 2023 10:28 AM

Indeed, it is bond scam strategy implementation for better but worse.

Ja Friday, 02 June 2023 08:37 AM

It seems that the wheels are turning in the correct direction now.

lester Friday, 02 June 2023 08:54 AM

you will go home in next election. better hurry. there is no way in hell you can win a general election.

joshua Friday, 02 June 2023 08:55 AM

Also when will the heads of rogue member's in your cabinet roll??? Why can't you take action against them too? There are persons who mislead the whole country such as mahindananda ?

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 02 June 2023 09:11 AM

You will talk talk and talk but nothing will happen. Because, Ali Baba ad his 40 thieves are very much in power and they they have filled loads of their yakkos in these public institutions. They are so powerful, that they can make you roll out.

Asanga Friday, 02 June 2023 09:13 AM

What are you doing to bring those who are responsible for bring the country down Mr. President?

Don Shelton Bernard Hettiarachchi Friday, 02 June 2023 09:19 AM

Restructuring of SLPA is vital with hybrid port management practiced here, as with arbitrary port tariff on domestic trade, heavy burden is imposed on producers and consumers.

Amaran Friday, 02 June 2023 09:26 AM

"They have deceived many Sri Lankans in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s". INCLUDING YOUR BELOVED UNCLE JR ....

Gamini Friday, 02 June 2023 09:39 AM

some elements want to stop this and take the country back to anarchy. That is why under the pretext of democracy even undemocratic former terror groups are demanding elections

Jonathan Friday, 02 June 2023 09:41 AM

Thank you, Ranil.

Shariq Friday, 02 June 2023 09:56 AM

Finally a president we need with the backbone to get things done. Always knew Ranil was the man to get things done

VJ Friday, 02 June 2023 10:25 AM

How does he plan to measure performance? Does the president have a work plan and goals set for each Heads of state institutions? Or is this the usual talk to please the people. Or is he planning to position all his friends at the head of state institutions?

Citizen k Friday, 02 June 2023 10:44 AM

Finally.Chairmans of the state institutes extended lunch hours with free booze is over.Perform or get out.

Fact Friday, 02 June 2023 10:48 AM

Great Mr President , be strict and discipline those who in enterprise and government entities . efficiency ,honesty and integrity is must for a developed country. Emphasise on unity and equality is very important ,every citizen must be respected and given equal rights and have the freedom to live peacefully irrespective of cast ,creed ,ethnicity and religion

Lion Friday, 02 June 2023 11:06 AM

If the wheels are turning on the correct direction that gold smuggler won’t be there in the parliament with kappan Ranatunga

Lion Friday, 02 June 2023 11:08 AM

Just hollow words we have been listening from these people through out for the last 75 years

K.M. Fernando (attorney-at-law) Friday, 02 June 2023 11:22 AM

Sir, no one was interested in your special speech as you utter nonsense and make the public panic.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 02 June 2023 11:50 AM

Remember Gota when to RMV like walking into a park thinking he can bring down the corruption and lethargy. Since then, the bribes have increased and no one is issued driving license cards. If you want a renewed driving license card the bribe is Rs. 15,000.00 home delivery service.

E.K. Ratnayake Friday, 02 June 2023 11:24 AM

You are still standing with the support of your rogues of Potuwa, do you know the latest 65 of them will walk out and sit with the opposition within the next three weeks.

Karalasingam Sivalingam Friday, 02 June 2023 11:26 AM

Most of the heads of institutions come through political patronage, all loss making heads of institutions should be removed forth with.

H. Amarapala - Foreteller Friday, 02 June 2023 11:27 AM

Maybe you will have to hold the Presidential Election before the appointed period as your shape is getting faded.

Adrian D Friday, 02 June 2023 11:39 AM

whoever commenting that incumbent pres can bring back SL out of woods is either a person with low IQ or someone abusing system and getting benefits illegally. If he is genuine enough recover all ill gotten wealth of all, he has the machinery of judiciary and law enforcement at his disposal. Just think for a while how can a normal working class person can afford a good education for a AL student who gets 3B, if you dont have money a kid who can be a turned into a an engineer / doctor or scientist become useless and frustrated individual. Hand over the country to some good talented educated bunch who have a moral upbringing and integrirt. All oldies over 70 retire and stay at home, period.

Floance Uddi Friday, 02 June 2023 11:50 AM

Blah blat blah, and once your immunity is over be ready to go to courts and face the justice for disregarding humanity over Easter attacks, sadly a person who is guaranteed a court case day he ceases to be a Head is telling all this. WAKE UP PEOPLE

Nadi Karunaratne Friday, 02 June 2023 01:39 PM

Seek a democratic mandate and then your head will roll along with your puppet masters.

Ram Friday, 02 June 2023 01:57 PM

Shortage of fuel soon the minister will be removed

Volker Metzger Friday, 02 June 2023 02:48 PM

I doubt the integrity and credibility of this president, whose majority and support in parliament is based on deputies who do not represent the will of the people and therefore, together with him, prevent free elections with flimsy justifications !!! Every politically interested citizen in Sri Lanka knows the political agenda of this president, I know his role and political positions in Chandrika's time, and I was able to get an idea of what to think of his words! Doubts about what he says and does remain, to a large extent, as long as he denies the legitimacy of the people through free elections !!!

Rohan Solomon Friday, 02 June 2023 04:01 PM

Let us be practical in what he can do and what he cannot do. To a certain extent he has turned things around. Let's give him a chance.

Volker Metzger Friday, 02 June 2023 04:46 PM

I doubt the integrity and credibility of this President, whose majority and support in Parliament is based on deputies who do not represent the will of the people and therefore, together with him, prevent free elections with flimsy justifications !!! Every politically interested citizen in Sri Lanka knows the political agenda of this president, I know his role and political positions in Chandrika's time, and everyone was able to get an idea and knows what to think of his words! Was his political behavior and actions at that time always in the interest of the unity of the country and the nation!? Doubts about what he says and does remain to a large extent as long as he denies the legitimacy of the people through free elections !!!

Buddipala Galagedara Friday, 02 June 2023 05:18 PM

How about under performing thieves in the parliament? They are still well and safe!!

ROSH Saturday, 03 June 2023 12:40 AM

Unelected president loves master debating everyone on his path to get big relief and satisfaction for over last 50 years and counting. Please don’t fell on theses traps to over come hardship. We need educated charismatic young minority leader who is capable of running the country

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Heads will roll unless state institutions perform; President warns

Comments - 31

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