Wednesday, 4 December 2013 00:00
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Firing a salvo against the Opposition, Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene yesterday slammed detractors of the Government’s policies, charging that they were trying to undermine the economy to destabilise the Government.
Referring specifically to the Rathupaswala factory standoff, the Minister noted that the company was now receiving offers from Malaysia to move the facility there.
“There is a clear trend where politicians with agendas are trying to target Sri Lanka’s economy because they know that the only way to undermine the Government is to damage the economy. People must become aware of this. They must understand what underlying agendas exist,” he insisted.
He admitted that people’s concerns were valid, but pointed out that the intense competitiveness to attract FDI meant Sri Lanka had to be tougher and faster to attract and keep investors. He denied claims that Budget 2014 imposing taxes on land purchases by foreigners would dent appeal and insisted that the economy could not be taken forward without FDI.
Abeywardene also defended the Budget, insisting that tax increases on food were only imposed to protect local industries. Responding to questions, he conceded that tax concessions on Indian imports were not necessarily beneficial, but insisted that the Government was working on tightening negative lists with India on the FTA. He also defended the proposed FTA with China has improved Sri Lanka’s exports.
