Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara said the Government will uplift the economy, the country and the people in 2024 and tough decisions in this regards will be taken without any fear under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
He was speaking during a ceremony at the Ministry today (01) to mark the commencement of work in the New Year.
The Minister requested all the officials to work with commitment and efficiency to achieve high productivity in 2024 like what they did in the previous year.
He said, in the past year, the officials of the Ministry took steps to perform their duties with commitment and efficiency and as a result, the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment was able to become the most successful ministry.
While noting that there was commendable progress in all key sectors in the country last year, the Minister expressed confidence that the momentum will continue and the country will achieve greater heights this year.
He pointed out that all the Government officials have worked hard to bring the country to a positive state last year following many crises.
Noting that Sri Lanka has been able to successfully stand up at a time when the countries that have collapsed economically in the past are still in severe crisis and some countries that received relief from the International Monetary Fund are still unable to restore their economies, he said that Sri Lanka has been able to uplift the economy.
The Minister stated that although there was a risk of hyperinflation in Sri Lanka, the situation has been successfully curbed and inflation has been brought down to a single digit level.
He also expressed confidence that although the economic growth rate of the country has been negative in the past, it will be possible to achieve a very rapid and positive economic growth in the first quarter of this year.
He also said that the basic foundation needed to achieve this growth has been laid out and the only thing left is to move accordingly.
The Minister also mentioned that as politicians, he and all those in the Government did not hesitate to put the party colors aside and take brave political decisions.
Minister Nanayakkara pointed out tough decisions were taken on matters that were very sensitive to Government employees and all the people, such as increasing taxes and added those decisions had to be taken with the aim of ending the vicious cycle that exists in this country.
He also noted through these decisions it was possible to end the existing welfare system and mindset and thus it was possible to end the political culture of deceiving the people.
The Minister also observed that the some tough decisions taken by the current Government were tantamount to political suicide, but these decisions ultimately had been able to achieve successful results for the country.
The Minister further said that due to the decisions taken by the Government, it was possible to stop the country from becoming another Syria or Lebanon, and halted a situation where the American dollar could have risen to 700 rupees, and the country was able to move towards rapid development.
Accordingly, the Minister stressed that the Government will take fearless decisions in the New Year as well to further develop the economy and create a better tomorrow for the people.
The Minister further stated that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has given the necessary power and direction to take decisions to build the country without fear and under that guidance, he will take steps to work for the benefit of everyone with more commitment than before in 2024.
