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Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister Harsha says Govt. to refocus its economic policies on people’s necessities
Admits people’s issues were unaddressed, plans to chart economic model considering social reflections and opinions
Keen on building a unique public distribution mechanism, where farmer community and related industries, small scale new business models will benefit
Says Govt. will push on SL-Singapore FTA, will rebuild relationships with international counterparts
By Charumini de Silva
People-centric development to create equal opportunities to all is the focus of the new Government, Economic Reforms and Public Distribution Minister Dr.Harsha de Silva said yesterday.
“The Government will refocus its attention towards people-centric development to create equal opportunities for the rising middle class, in order to ensure better living standards for future generations,” Dr.de Silva said, assuming duties for the first time as a Minister yesterday.
He stressed it was an exciting opportunity for him, to build on the foundation that was laid to create a knowledge-based, competitive social market economy. “I want to focus on the absolute necessities of the people to realise their dreams. I am looking at a longer vision, where I want to give hope for people, that we have a workable plan and models which have been benefited people. It is an amazing opportunity for me as a first-time Minister,” he pointed out.
Noting that people’s problems had remained unaddressed for the past seven decades, Dr.de Silva said it was time that Sri Lanka charts its economic model and way forward with social considerations and opinions.
“We have to understand that at the end of the day, all this development work should be around the people of this country. We need to bring social justice within a knowledge-based competitive marketplace. I am looking at the model where we need to make changes to create those equal opportunities for our large lower- and middle-class people, and share the dividends of development with them,” he emphasised.
Acknowledging that his portfolio has a lot of responsibility in shaping future economic policies, he said it was a challenging task to introduce expanded markets overseas, international trade, education, next-generation farming, healthcare, and other progressive economic reforms, for Sri Lanka to reach the next level of economic growth.
“There are comprehensive debates continuing on how we move forward. Some want inward policies, some want outward policies, while others want a mix of these two. These deliberations will result in policies that will help us chart the course in going forward. Ultimately, it is all about how we build on the foundation laid, to create a knowledge-based competitive social market economy,” he added.
As the Minister of Public Distribution, Dr.de Silva said his primary goal is to build a unique public distribution mechanism, where the majority of the farmer community and related industries, and small scale new business models, will benefit.
“I want to build an ecosystem where farmers are able to sell their produce at a reasonable price, and households are be able to purchase them at a reasonable cost. I want them to take their produce, not only to all corners of Sri Lanka, but overseas as well,” he asserted.
Dr.de Silva also pointed out that the Government will rebuild its reputation with the international communities, and enhance its trade and investment opportunities.
“We have to start talking and rebuild our relationships with our international counterparts. We will go ahead with the Sri Lanka-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. We will also discuss with the European Union on the GSP+, and ensure that our exporters will be benefited,” he assured.
