President says will take over economic management

President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday announced that he would take over the responsibility of the country’s economic management in order to reduce the cost of living burden on the people.

Speaking at a public meeting in Kegalle, the President said he appointed the National Economic Council three months ago to fulfil this objective.

The President said measures would be taken to grant relief to the general public by carrying forward the country’s economy. He pointed out that there were problems regarding the country’s economy with the huge debt burden and another burden was the cost of living.

President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe - File photo

He said the UNP was allowed to manage the economy for the past three years. However, today people faced serious economic problems. Therefore, three months ago he appointed the National Economic Council for economic management under his leadership, the President said.

President Sirisena said he would take charge of the economic management council from this year and requested local industrialists and investors to join together with his program to lessen the cost of living burden on the people. The President assured that local industries and local investments would be protected.

The President said he would take responsibility to strengthen the national economy.

Speaking about the Central Bank bond issue, the President said the Commission report clearly identifies those responsible for the theft and the people were also aware of those who were responsible for the “bank robbery”.

The President said he would not hesitate to mete out punishment to the culprits of the scam which took place from 2008-2015.

The President said his aim was to build a country without fraud and corruption, regardless of party differences, and sought the cooperation of all citizens in this endeavour.