Sri Lanka’s President urges the fast tracking of country’s development programme
Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has last week called on state officials to fast-track development initiatives announced in the government’s 2021 Budget in a bid to stimulate socioeconomic growth.
The President has made this call issuing a new circular through his Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera. The circular has solicited the commitment of all Ministry Secretaries to implement Sri Lankan government’s development programmes by taking ministerial leadership in consultation with the relevant ministers.
Accordingly, secretaries to all ministries and state ministries have been directed to ensure that decisions taken at the Budget framework and review meetings conducted by President Rajapaksa are implemented expeditiously.
“I advise that a dedicated senior officer is assigned in each ministry to ensure that decisions taken are expeditiously implemented,” President’s Secretary Dr. Jayasundera has reportedly stated in the latest circular.
Jayasundera has reportedly said it was the responsibility of the ministry secretary to seek further information and clarification from the President’s Office if further clarifications are required so that undue delays could be avoided from all sides.
“As all secretaries are aware, financial regulations permit secretaries to write directly to the heads of departments in the General Treasury to overcome such delays,” the circular has stated, adding that this is a reflection that the system of governance has always provided space to conduct public policy in the national interest.
OSL take:
The directive by the Sri Lankan President is indicative of the commitment of the authorities to proceed with the country’s development programme. Sri Lanka’s development programme is aimed at taking the country to the next level of development with the country fast becoming a business hub in the South Asian region. The island’s geographical positioning in the Indian ocean and the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by the country have poised it as a growing business destination in the region. Given Sri Lanka’s expanding economic activities, foreign businesses/investors could explore business opportunities in Sri Lanka’s development programme as well as in key economic sectors.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20210520/Z_5 |