Biz man cum Central Province Legislator Sri Lanka’s new Industry & Com Deputy
Thursday, 24 October 2013 00:00
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Sri Lanka’s Industry and Commerce now has a Deputy.
“I am pleased to welcome a capable individual appointed by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as my new Deputy. I, together with the industry and commerce sector of Sri Lanka, look forward to his dedicated support,” said Minister of Industry and Commerce Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday.
Bathiudeen was addressing a packed crowd of businessmen, professionals, regional politicians, and media personnel who thronged to Ministry of Industry and Commerce auditorium on 23 October to witness the assumption of office of Lakshman Vasantha Perera as the new Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka.
Perera, a Member of Parliament of the Central Province Matale electorate, is also a lawyer and the Chairman of the District Development Committee Matale.
“You are entering an important ministry which is supporting the development of the major part of our economy. Our Ministry plays a key role in our GDP, handling more than 50% of it, including exports, industries and international trade, among others. Thanks to the visionary leadership of the President, we are pleased to hear the good news about our industry growth and our export turnaround as well. I believe that you and your staff will contribute to the progress of our industry and commerce,” said Bathiudeen.
“I am lucky to be appointed under a very capable Minister such as Minister Bathiudeen,” said Deputy Minister Perera, a businessman-cum-lawyer, addressing the event. “I have been told that Minister Rishad is a super-ministerial product. I keenly look forward to work and safeguard my Minister Bathiudeen while contributing to the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ vision. I am also proud about our Secretary Anura Siriwardena, who has wide experience in several ministries and also in industry sectors. Industries are the lifeline of an economy and we should make our industries a strong growth driver in Sri Lanka’s new development vision,” Perera stressed.
