President says Govt. gives priority to welfare of underprivileged despite economic hardships

Even though the country has to face different kinds of economic challenges due to the global economic crisis, the Government has given priority to the welfare of the underprivileged, President Maithripala Sirisena stated.

He made these remarks while addressing the inaugural session of the Workshop on Sustainable Finance, organised by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka jointly with the Sustainable Banking Network (SBN) managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, at the Central Bank auditorium yesterday.

During his address the President noted that 30% of the country’s population faced serious economic difficulties and the Government had declared 2017 the year of the eradication of poverty on behalf of these people. He added that the Government expected the support of all those in the financial sector to make this program a success.

The President also pointed out the importance of environmental conservation in the process of accomplishing economic development. He further stated that the guidance of experts and professionals in all sectors was essential in managing sustainable development policies.

The monetary policies and management of future development initiatives which are aimed at the development of physical resources with proper environmental evaluation should move forward in a successful manner, the President said. 

He pointed out the importance of implementing a national program jointly with financial institutions, including the Central Bank, the Ministry of Environment and other relevant institutions concerned with environmental conservation.

Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy, representatives of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, national and international financial sector specialists and intellectuals participated in this inaugural session.