By: Staff Writer
July 14, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterated his commitment to establishing a robust economic framework that guarantees long-term stability for future generations. Moving away from short-term fixes, which could lead to economic collapse, the President stressed the importance of strategic, long-term governance over immediate power gains.
He reflected on past economic and political crises, advocating for a political structure that extends beyond five-year electoral cycles to focus on sustainable national development. During the event, he formally handed over the swimming pool to the college, celebrated students’ achievements in the 2023 GCE Advanced Level Examination, and received a donation to the President’s Fund from the students.
The President acknowledged the contributions of the Government and the Alumni Association in constructing the swimming pool and promised to notify the Ministry of Education to build a three-storied building requested by the principal. He also announced plans for a fully-equipped fitness center for the college as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the school’s facilities.
In a speech, President Wickremesinghe emphasized the necessity of strategic planning for a prosperous future. He warned that without a sustainable economic trajectory, the nation could face severe economic crises within the next 15 years.
The President outlined a vision to transition the economy from one dependent on imports to one driven by exports, necessitating a comprehensive overhaul of existing economic structures. Central to this transformation is an agricultural modernization program, supported by the Economic Transformation Act.
The President highlighted successful harvests in recent years due to farmer dedication and fertilizer support and introduced an inheritance tax exemption program for farmers in the North Central Province.
He projected a global population increase of 2 billion by 2050, underscoring the need for modern technology to maximize agricultural output and ensure food security. He also identified potential for solar energy projects and tourism development in the provinces.
President Wickremesinghe announced collaborative initiatives such as the Trincomalee port development project with India and plans to establish three new technological universities with foreign expertise. Embracing advancements in artificial intelligence, he emphasized the importance of reassessing and innovating for sustained growth.
Criticizing politicians focused solely on short-term power gains, Wickremesinghe advocated for a national-level thinking group that prioritizes the nation’s well-being. He credited his administration’s collaborative efforts for revitalizing the national economy and urged representatives to prioritize national interests over partisan agendas.
State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe acknowledged the challenges faced in completing the swimming pool amidst recent economic turbulence. He praised President Wickremesinghe’s strategic initiatives, which secured funding for the project and led to successful economic stabilization.
Semasinghe highlighted ongoing reforms and transformative initiatives aimed at safeguarding the economy and enhancing infrastructure across education, healthcare, and the broader economy, fostering a brighter outlook for the nation’s future.
