June 05, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called for a reimagining of Sri Lanka’s development strategy, insisting that financial success on its own does not equate to meaningful national progress.
Speaking during a policy consultation at the Ministry of Finance yesterday (04), the President pressed the need for parallel advancement in social equity, institutional integrity, and political accountability.
During the high-level meeting attended by senior Treasury officials, the President shared his vision of a development model grounded not just in economic indicators, but in collective societal transformation.
Drawing from global examples, he pointed to the long-term national strategies of countries like China, South Korea, and Vietnam—nations that achieved rapid economic modernisation through decades of deliberate, people-centred planning.
He urged those present to consider development as a shared national responsibility rather than a task assigned solely to government agencies or politicians. “Transformation must come from within institutions, amongst citizens, and from political leadership. It cannot be driven through coercion or narrow interest,” he remarked.
President Dissanayake made it clear that his administration would avoid the pitfalls of past governments by resisting ad hoc decision-making. Instead, he signalled a commitment to governance through dialogue, welcoming contributions from civil servants, technical experts, and other stakeholders.
He acknowledged that many initiatives in Sri Lanka had failed due to short-sighted political interference that undermined evidence-based policy.
The discussion turned toward the urgent need to overhaul key public institutions, aligning them with the state’s long-term policy priorities. The President instructed officials to initiate reforms without delay, especially in state bodies that play critical roles in infrastructure, education, public finance, and national planning.
Whilst supporting greater efficiency, he reaffirmed the state’s responsibility to retain oversight of strategic sectors that underpin national security and public welfare.
In assessing the external environment, President Dissanayake cautioned that Sri Lanka must brace for challenges that extend beyond its borders. He cited the implications of the International Monetary Fund’s Extended Fund Facility programme, changes to international tariff regimes—particularly in the United States—and the scheduled expiration of GSP+ trade concessions in 2027.
These, he noted, could significantly affect trade, investment, and fiscal flexibility in the coming years.
Amongst those present at the dialogue were Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Harshana Suriyapperuma, and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana. The discussion concluded with a call to action, urging the Treasury to prepare both policy frameworks and institutional blueprints to initiate the next wave of public sector transformation.
