Ravi K tells all to put country first, politics second

Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake yesterday urged all to put the country first and politics second to ensure development with unity.

«An era has dawned for all to work in unison in order to push the country toward victory instead of performing political solo dramas,» Karunanayake said in remarks on the first day of work at the Finance Ministry for the New Year.

He pointed out that the aim of the Government is to act with transparency while maintaining discipline.

The Minister said that Sri Lanka has reported several achievements as well as some drawbacks since independence. He said however, a new political culture was set in motion after 8 January 2015.

The main two rival political parties in the country joined hand-in-hand to govern the country and 2017 marks another firm year which ensures a successful journey forward Karunanayake said. The minister, who pointed out that the new Government accepted a rule on 8 January 2015 with a huge Rs. 10,900 billion debt burden, said that such colossal liabilities have been managed properly through financial discipline. 

He also said that the current Government is not ready at all to put the debt burden on the people. The minister said that the people keep watching the forward march of this Government, therefore a substantial socio-economic change would in the country during 2017. 

Addressing the ceremony, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga said 2017 will be a year of many challenges. He stated that the next 365 days should be managed properly to implement more than 325 budget proposals in 2017.

He said that a program titled ‘Beginning of a sustainable era’ was inaugurated by President Maithripala Sirisena this morning. 

Funding projects coming under this program should be done by the Ministry of Finance and the ministry is fully committed to achieve set targets in the Presidential program.

The entire staff, including all department heads of the Finance Ministry, participated in this ceremony.