Exit strategy to revive economy, restore normalcy this weekend

By Lahiru Pothmulla

The exit strategy formulated to revive the economy and to ensure the return of civilian life to normalcy, which is in disarray due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be announced during the weekend, the President’s Media Division announced yesterday. 

The announcement followed a meeting held with secretaries to ministries on Wednesday at the Presidential Secretariat, where President Gotabaya Rajapaksa discussed rebuilding the economy in the face of the current challenges.

In relation to restoring normalcy without compromising safety, the President emphasized the need for the public and private sectors to recommence its business activities. 

“Thus curfew needs to be eased to allow these functionalities to proceed without undue obstruction. 
The responsibility of ensuring the public adhering to safety regulations and preventing large gatherings was entrusted on the secretaries to the ministries as well as heads of institutes, the PMD said. President Rajapaksa also said rebuilding a policy-driven economy is the responsibility of all.

He said it was the responsibility of the ministries to create a new economic trend while protecting people and the local economy.

“It is important to establish new businesses and industries. Experienced entrepreneurs must have fresh opportunities. 

The relevant ministries must at the same time extend the required foundation and support needed for agrarian and fisheries sectors as well as other businesses to recover, the President said. 

Taking the global crisis into consideration, the need to pay special attention to the local agrarian economy was underlined at the meeting. 

The President has instructed officials to provide facilities needed to maximize production of export agricultural crops from available land.

The discussions also centered on restarting the development projects that were halted due to the prevailing crisis. 
One of these projects was the initiation to add 100,000 kms to the existing road network. It was decided to prioritize this project as a starting point.  Secretary to the President Dr. P. B. Jayasundara, Principal Advisor to President Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senarath and Cabinet Secretary S. Amarasekera also joined the discussion.