President aims to make Sri Lanka the best country for investments

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he intends to make Sri Lanka the best country for investment.

Addressing a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Environment and Wildlife at the Presidential Secretariat this morning, President Rajapaksa said that a legal framework should be formulated to protect the environment and develop the country.

The President advised all institutions to work together to amend the rules, ordinances and regulations to suit the present day. It is the responsibility of the officials to devise ways to protect the environment and provide benefits to the people, he emphasised.

The President also advised to take steps to reduce the time taken to issue licenses and other permits and encourage foreign as well as local investors to invest in the country.

The President pointed out that an aquaculture project in the Northern Province, which had sought approval several years ago, has not yet been approved. Focusing attention on the project, President Rajapaksa urged the officials to take immediate action to implement the project while safeguarding biodiversity as it would create many employment opportunities in the north.

The President pointed out that rules and regulations should be made not only to protect the environment but also to protect the livelihood of the people. Environment and Wildlife Resources Minister S.M. Chandrasena, State Minister Jayantha Samaraweera and Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundara, and other officials participated in the discussion.