Year 2023 remains critical for govt. to turn around crisis-hit SL: President

• Acknowledges citizens are looking at 2023 after having undergone a nightmare
• Assures the worst of the crisis is over 
• Points out need to boldly implement the proposed social, economic, and political reforms to build a prosperous nation

 As Sri Lanka walks into the New Year with baggage from 2022, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the year 2023 will indeed be a critical year in which his office plans to turn around the crisis-struck economy.
Wickremesinghe in his New Year message acknowledged that the citizens of the country are looking at the year 2023 after having undergone the bleakest of times, immense hardships, as well as the uncertainties and hopelessness of the last year. 

“I understand the great burdens that are placed on all of us and the setbacks that a majority of us have suffered due to the country’s abject economic collapse,” he said in his first New Year message to the country as President.
The year 2022 which kicked off with optimism and hopes of reviving from the issues stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic turned out to be somewhat a nightmare for the citizens of the country.

Just as economic activity was picking up in the first quarter of 2022, the outcome of the poor and ad-hoc policy decisions taken over the years started to emerge, bringing the national economy to its worst state in history.
The lack of foreign exchange, revenue, and also food security threatened, and continues to threaten the people and businesses of the country, which has resulted in a flight of human resources. 

While at present the exit of workers is celebrated by the government as it is expected to bring the required foreign exchange by way of remittance, the impact of the loss of talent required to build the economy will soon be felt. The tourism sector is already feeling the impact.

However, according to Wickremesinghe, the worst is over.
“I believe that we have already gone through the worst of these times. I sincerely appreciate all of you who are committed to our country first and I thank you for your patience and courage as we took the critical, initial steps to stabilise the economy,” he said.

The President went on to note that despite Sri Lanka having gained independence from the British 75 years ago, it is obvious the island nation has not done as well as other ex-colonies, which has led the youth to call for a system change.
“Especially at this juncture this cannot be ignored. Therefore, we must boldly implement the proposed social, economic, and political reforms to build a prosperous and productive Sri Lanka in the coming decade,” said Wickremesinghe.