By implementing even the 1960s plan, SL can cross 6% + GDP growth: Rohantha

Tuesday, 7 January 2020 00:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

One of the most powerful high network Rotary Clubs of Sri Lanka, Rotary Club of Colombo East, invited respected business professional Dr. Rohantha Athukorala, CEO of a leading South Asian regional AI company, to speak on the topic ‘Way forward – Sri Lanka’.

The speaker highlighted the report published by Pathfinder Institute on the implementation of the National Budget for the 2017. Apparently, only 54% of the Budget proposals had been actioned for implementation with 8% fulfilled, 22% reaching substantial fulfillment and a staggering 24% only reaching partially fulfillment.

Dr. Rohantha Athukorala

“Given this poor performance, for a country to grow at just 3-4% is not surprising. Today, as we speak Sri Lanka is the lowest performing country in South Asia at a 2.6% GDP growth as per Asian Development Bank estimates. Even countries like Afghanistan, Maldives and Nepal has beaten us, which is very said,” said Dr. Athukorala.

Commenting on the way forward, Athukorala opined that given that 2020 will be an year of elections – with General and Provincial level elections planned for the year, “even if Sri Lanka implements the 1960 Economic Development Plans at 100% impact, we can go on to achieve a 6% plus GDP growth”.

“The logic being that what Sri Lanka requires is basic fundamental economic development initiatives and not hybrid and sophisticated agendas. The Pathfinder Institute reported that progress on 11% of the Budget proposals of 2017 were not disclosed, which is unfortunate given that the promise that the then Government was elected under was ‘Yahapalanaya’ and this 11% accounted for Rs. 21.6 billion in value. To be honest this behaviour was contrary to the Right to Information act that the former Government passed in Parliament and informed the general public. I guess the winner at the 16 November Presidential Elections in my mind is the average Sri Lanka voter. A clear message was given to policy makers – ‘either perform or we will vote you out,’ which is an interesting insight that we can summarise from 2019. I would term the year as ‘the bold Sri Lankan voter’.”

“Sri Lanka is incidentally one of the best in the South Asian countries as per the 2019 Human Development Report (HDR), ranked 76 out of 189 countries. The report reveals Sri Lanka’s HDI value to be 0.78, which is above the average of 0.75 for countries in the group and above the average of 0.642 for countries in South Asia. Sri Lanka’s rank of 71 positions it ahead of India and Pakistan which hold the ranks of 129 and 152 respectively. We must now become the number one country in South Asia on economic growth and we can do it,” voiced the experienced Dr. Athukorala who has served Sri Lanka in the public sector as Chairman in the area of exports, tourism and the modern trade marketing whilst in the private sector he has over 17 years’ experience with top multinationals ReckittBenckiser and Diverseylever.

“If I am to share hands-on experience, the majority of the public sector has a talent/skill set way above the private sector given that one must be a first or second class honours graduate to enter the public rector whilst they are committed and passionate. What is required is strong leadership. This is where each of us has a responsibility to perform given the strong leadership we see coming from the hierarchy of the country.”