Poor economic management by the Yahapalana Good Governance Government and the impact of COVID-19 severely impacted the country’s economy, said State Minister for Rural Roads and Other Infrastructure Nimal Lanza.
He was speaking while inaugurating the Weliweriya Road Development project recently.
“When President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assumed the office, the economy was in dire straits due to the policies of the Good Governance Government. At the same time, we have been facing the COVID-19 effect for almost a year now. As a result, earnings from the country’s main sources of income have fallen sharply,” State Minister Lanza said.
“The tourism industry which is one of our main sources of income has been devastated as a result of the pandemic. Nearly three million people who are directly and indirectly dependent on the tourism industry have been affected. A large number of Sri Lankans have lost their jobs and the country’s foreign remittances have seen a drastic decline. The COVID-19 pandemic has also been dealt a severe blow to export earnings, Lanza said.
“We must seek more investment. The simplest form of investment is business. All Sri Lankan businessmen have a good understanding and must maintain and further expand their business opportunities. However, certain forces with vested interests are resorting to treasonous acts by trying to prevent investment from flowing into the country.
State Minister Lanza said that our aim is to strengthen the country and the people economically.
Former Western Provincial Council Chairman Sunil Wijeratne, Gampaha Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Ranjith Gunawardena, Pradeshiya Sabha member Udara Perera and Road Development Authority officials were present.
