Hard-won development outcomes cannot be undone: State Finance Minister

State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe yesterday reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to preventing the hard-won development outcomes from being reversed due to the economic and other challenges faced by Sri Lanka in the post-pandemic era.

He made these remarks speaking at the inaugural session of the sixth South and South-West Asia Forum on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Pakistan yesterday.

The State Minister added that the Government is steadfast in achieving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability.

He said the Government looks forward to maximising the potential of a new economic model based on an export-oriented competitive economy, an environmentally-friendly blue-green economy, and a digital economy.

The Minister also said the marginalised and vulnerable groups will be prioritised in the economic recovery and reform efforts through stronger social safety.

The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Government of Pakistan are hosting the Sixth South and South West Asia Forum on Sustainable Development from 5-7 December in Islamabad with the theme ‘Accelerating the recovery from COVID-19 and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at all levels’.

Treasury Deputy Secretary Priyantha Rathnayake, Sustainable Development Council Member Prof. Hemanthi Ranasinghe, and Sustainable Development Council Director-General Chamindry Saparamadu (joining virtually from Colombo) make up Sri Lanka’s delegation to the Forum.