Swap sealed with a smooch!

Swap sealed with a smooch!

Despite taking on the task of Foreign Minister yesterday, former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake seemed to have his previous portfolio still on his mind as he pledged to focus on investment. 

Karunanayake, who accepted his new duties among a hoard of well-wishers, including former Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera, insisted that his attention would still remain on attracting investment to the country. 

“We want a wide focus. We want to welcome investment from everywhere including the US, India and China,” he told media among the hubbub of celebration. 

The Minister also did not forget the European Union that recently allowed Sri Lanka to have preferential trade access in the form of GSP+. Karunanyake’s continued interest in investment mirrors the Government’s priorities with the first Cabinet meeting after the reshuffle focusing yet again on fast-tracking stalled reforms. Cabinet on Tuesday also passed a plan to push Sri Lanka among the top 70 countries in the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index. Currently Sri Lanka ranks at number 110.