President to prioritise private sector proposals in upcoming 2024 budget

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his commitment to prioritising proposals from the private sector in the 2024 budget and conducting separate examinations of related areas.

These statements were made during a 2024 pre-budget discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on November 1, with leaders from private sector institutions in attendance.

During the meeting, the President discussed reform programmes aimed at helping the country recover from its ongoing economic crisis and progress toward sustainable growth. 

Leaders of private sector institutions presented proposals to the President, focusing on increasing government revenue and efficiency as well as measures to support various industries, including attracting investors, enhancing the tourism industry, and bolstering the garment industry.

They also urged the President to prioritise measures aimed at addressing the current economic crisis and resolving challenges faced by business people in various sectors within this year's budget. 

President Wickremesinghe expressed his commitment to carefully considering the ideas and suggestions put forward by the leaders of private sector institutions and mentioned his intention to hold separate discussions on each of these areas in the future.

The efforts made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to achieve economic stability in the country were also commended by the leaders of private institutions. 

The discussion was attended by Senior Advisor to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga, Presidential Advisor Chandra Shafter, Secretary to the Finance Ministry Mahinda Siriwardena, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Planning Board Dinesh Weerakkody, and leaders of various private sector organisations.