Privatisation not the answer - Nivard Cabral

UPFA Economic Advisor Ajit Nivard Cabral claimed that 'Mahinda Chintanaya' is not for privatisation and will always seek to develop our indigenous economy.

Addressing journalists at a press conference in support of UPFA Presidential hopeful Mahinda Rajapakse at the SLFI yesterday, Cabral said: "We have categorically stated that Mahinda Rajapakse is not for privatisation. We have examined closely the alternative systems in other countries where better managed systems have been used."

The main issue here, he said is not the ownership but the management. "We will ensure that the most honest, efficient, top-quality and decent people will manage them with better transparency. We have our own Sri Lankan people for the same, and we don't need aliens."

He said 'Mahinda Chintanaya' has been prepared with responsibility and painstakingly, in consultation with many stakeholders. There are many options and various methodologies of re-structuring, which we should pursue, even in the case of the so-called economic monsters, the CEB, CPC and the SLTB.

"We also need to develop our indigenous economy. The private sector does not only mean the listed companies in the share market. It also includes the small and medium-scale entrepreneurs. As they evolve, the small-scale entrepreneur should gradually hit the medium-scale and later the top businessmen grade. We must help them," he added.

Cabral said price control of certain essential items as stated in the UNP manifesto, is not compatible with the open economic policies pursued by the UNP.

Responding to a query pertaining to the attempted attack on the Sunday Leader printing press in Ratmalana, Minister Mangala Samaraweera claimed that it was the work of a clandestine, pro-UNP thug group from Negombo/Katana, who had planned to destroy the press.

RM