Present animosity against China or India must be stopped, said senior economist Dr. W. A. Wijewardena, if Sri Lanka is looking to become a developed country in the next generation, an ambition which requires a series of fixes in the economy.

Presenting the bitter status of the national economy with no sugar coating, the former Central Bank Deputy Governor stressed it is imperative for Sri Lanka to explore avenues to benefit from the countries that are willing to extend assistance.

He also pointed out it is time for the island nation to consider all the countries as its economic partners and not as economic enemies.

“There is a section of population today which believes that the rest of the world is there to exploit Sri Lanka's natural resources…This has to be stopped given the present situation in Sri Lanka.

“Sri Lanka should consider itself as a beggar and everybody knows that beggars can’t be choosers,” asserted Dr. Wijewardena.