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Gota presents policy to transform economy
View(s):Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, widely seen to be making a political entry, has presented his vision for 2030 with the focus being a radical transformation towards a knowledge-intensive economy.
Speaking at the annual Viyathmaga convention in Colombo last Sunday, Mr. Rajapaksa said the goal of Vivathmaga was to prepare Sri Lanka to face the future by bringing about radical changes to the country’s economy.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressing the Viyathmaga convention last Sunday
“We must develop the country in a way that the country’s sovereignty together with its culture is safeguard but we cannot develop the country by working in isolation. To achieve the necessary economic goals, we have to make radical changes to the country’s economy. If we do not move away from the conventional economic framework, the window of opportunity available now will be closed,” he said.
Vivathmaga, which Mr. Rajapaksa heads, seeks to mobilise the nascent potential of Sri Lanka’s professionals, academics and entrepreneurs towards the moral and material development of Sri Lanka to transform the country into a developed nation where all citizens will live in an environment of equity and fairplay.
The convention held at the Shangri La Hotel in Colombo was attended by around 2,000 professionals, business leaders, diplomats, members of the clergy and politicians.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, other Joint Opposition leaders, leading business personalities including Harry Jayawardena and Merrill J Fernando, and former Chief Justice Sarath N Silva were among those who attended the event. The speakers included Dr.Bandu Wijeratne, Dr.Mohammad Ismath Ramzy from the University of Malaya, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, former Chairman of the Security and Exchange Commission.
“We need to move towards a knowledge-intensive or skilled-labour-intensive economy if we are to move ahead. Today science and technology is developing rapidly. Robotics, artificial intelligence, bio-technology and other services connected to the internet are helping the world economy to move forward. Sri Lanka too should join the strong economies to move forward,” he said.
Mr. Rajapaksa said Sri Lanka was an agriculture-based economy and therefore this sector could be developed with the introduction of new technology. He said foreign investment was a necessity but there should be safeguards to protect the rights of the people and the interest of the local entrepreneurs.
“The Freed Trade Zones were set up but they have not been managed well and they had not adapted themselves to global changes. We need to modernise the FTZs and take advantage of the country’s geographical position,” he said. “Our foremost priority is economic growth to ensure the sustained prosperity and wellbeing of our people,” he said.