• Further restriction of economic activities will exacerbate the present economic crisis increasing unemployment and poverty levels

By Kelum Bandara

Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, who also spearheads the presidential task force for economic revival and poverty eradication, is reported to have stressed the need to reopen the country fully after an early conclusion of the inoculation drive to revive the economy.    

He presided over a meeting with the ministers involved in this task force recently. Daily Mirror learns that he emphasized the need to revitalize the manufacturing base of the country as otherwise the government would fall short of money to run the economy.   

Minister Rajapaksa is reported to have said that further restriction of economic activities will exacerbate the present economic crisis increasing unemployment and poverty levels. The government is planning to normalize the activities of the country fully by September.   

Meanwhile, the tourism authorities are planning to open the country to receive fully vaccinated tourists. As an initial step in this regard, vaccination of those in the hospitality industry has commenced.