SL needs export-oriented economy: Amunugama

Thursday, 14 May 2015 01:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Chamodi Gunawardana

Higher Education and Research Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama yesterday said that Sri Lanka should move toward an export-oriented economy instead of following traditional economic policies.

Gracing the 18th meeting of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in South (COMSATS), held in Colombo, Amunugama said that producing value added products would be a significant point which helped Sri Lanka enter the global market.

“As a country we are so lucky to have various kinds of natural resources everywhere. However, our products and services should focus on innovations more and we must make improvements in traditional economic areas such as tea, rubber and coconut,” Amunugama stated.

“To introduce innovative products we must have skilled human resources in the country. The Government should provide infrastructure to increase the number of skilled employees and labourers,” Amunugama said.

Speaking further, the Minister added that Sri Lanka had already achieved the millennium development goals setup during the last few years.

“We must take the next step of development by concentrating on science and technology as well as the health, power and education sectors. Having a scientific mentality will bring us towards victory. Sri Lanka is poor because we do not have that mentality yet,” Amunugama pointed out.