Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Finance Minister tells private sector to expect revolution­ary budget

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Minister of Finance Ravi Karunanaya­ke sending a clear and tangible message t o the private sector in the country yesterday said that the sectors of the economy will be opened, enabling the private sector as well to play an equal role with the government.

He said for the first time in history, a separate department will be created at the Ministry of Finance for the private sector developmen­t from January 01, 2016.

Finance Minister was the chief guest at an interactiv­e forum in Colombo with the key private sector establishm­ents where a representa­tive gathering was present.

“Many sectors in the economy will be opened. Sspecially the financial sector will need a radical change where we expect the banks to take the risk and get forward for the betterment of the economy under a new era where both the President and the Prime Minister have a clear mandate and vision for it,” said Minister Ravi Karunanaya­ke.

The minister reminded the private sector that when they put up a challenge to the government, they should be ready to meet that challenge and walk on it.

He asked them not to live in the dead past as the government has rooted out corruption and lethargic attitudes that existed in the past.

The Minister allaying fears of red tapes and lethargic attitudes, invited the private sector chambers entreprene­urs to bring any such issues to the immediate attention of the finance ministry without making generalize­d allegation­s. If the government is corrupt, don’t make mere allegation­s, tell us where it is then we will change it. Help us to help you was the call by the minister to the private sector chambers.

He also said on November 20th, the country will see a revolution­ary budget where the monopolist­ic approach of the government will be reduced with competitiv­e element emerging with a level-playing opportunit­y given to all stake holders.

The Minister concluded that this new approach by the government with the introducti­on of the 2016 budget on November 20th ,it will be a continuous process until the country sees a transparen­t process with a developed economy.

 ??  ?? Ravi Karunanaya­ke
Ravi Karunanaya­ke

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