National Economic Council tackles food prices, fertiliser and infrastructure issues
The National Economic Council (NEC), which met under the chairmanship of President Maithripala Sirisena this week, deliberated over multiple issues concerning the cost of living, fertilisers and infrastructure development and agreed to swiftly resolve these problems.
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera and NEC Secretary-General and Chief Economist Prof. Lalith Samarakoono were present at the meeting. Among the ministers in attendance were Nimal Siripala de Silva, Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Rauff Hakeem, John Seneviratne, Sajith Premadasa, Duminda Dissanayake, Faiszer Musthapha, Mahinda Amaraweera, Malik Samarawickrama and Patali Champika Ranawaka.
NEC sources said the focus was on economic issues and the problems faced by people. All members recognised the urgent need for addressing the problems faced by ordinary citizens.
In terms of the rising cost of living, concerns were raised particularly about higher prices of food items leading to food inflation. Food price affects the cost of living – recently the inflation was high due to increase in food prices, including the prices of rice and coconut.
It was agreed that the NEC would meet with the Consumer Affairs Authority, Central Bank and other relevant authorities to discover ways to reduce the cost of living.
The NEC also discussed the fertiliser shortage and subsidies. President Sirisena and Minister Duminda Dissanayake emphasised that the current system of a fertiliser subsidy needed to be reviewed. The issue of fertilizer shortages also was discussed to set up a fool-proof mechanism by keeping a fertilizer buffer stock to face any shortages. Ministers Sajith Premadasa and Duminda Dissanayake were of the view of going back to the old method of providing fertilizer at a subsidized rate directly to the farmers, where necessary. The need to protect the provide for and safeguard the interests of organic farmers were also highlighted.
It was agreed that NEC will work with the Ministry of Agriculture to formulate a policy on fertilizer subsidy – fertilizer purchase and distribution system.
Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka emphasized the need for addressing critical infrastructure needs, including water, sewerage, power, and transport. Without improving critical infrastructure and reviewing bottlenecks, it will be difficult to attract FDI to Sri Lanka, the Minister said. These bottle necks will create sever problems to people in their day-to-day living, therefore, the minister emphasized the need for improving critical infrastructure as an urgent priority. Development of IT sector should be given priority, he added.
Minister De Silva talked about the capacity constraints and congestion at the Bandaranaike International Airport. He stated that althoughthe Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)was supporting the proposal to build a second terminal, the cost was very high. Therefore, a temporary terminal was is to be built to alleviate congestion at the airport.
Minister Premadasa stressed the importance of having a national policy and methodology for paying contractors in order to avoid problems and delays associated with making payments to these contractors.
Minister Sarath Amunugama spoke about the major sectors generating foreign exchange such as garments, foreign employment, tourism and tea, and called for policy changes to encourage development within these sectors.
Minister Seneviratne underscored the need for commencing the Ratnapura highway as soon as possible, saying there have not been major development projects undertaken within the Ratnapura District.
The NEC was tasked with accelerating the national economic plan and presenting it in the next few weeks.
(Source: Daily FT)
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The National Economic Commission should legalise prostitution (male and female) and Call Girl and Call Boy services to enable the population to gain a steady stream of substantial income to beat the cost of living.
Citizens should be able to use not only their hands and legs and brains, but be free to use their most valuable body parts to earn a living.
This initiative will create a million employment opportunities overnight to make our land the true ‘Wonder of Asia’.
Well said, Lumini,
In fact, undergrads from Medical Faculties, SAITM, IUSF and all undergraduates who walk Ward Place in protest everyday, should be encouraged and supported to join this initiative because that is what they are good for !!
Good idea Ms. Dilmini Perera, can you also suggest the rates. Short time and full day (or night). Why can’t we get advice from Japan regarding ‘Gesha’ profession. May be without going to the university we can enroll girls for BA, MA (even Phd) for prostitution. Again let me thank you for your timely suggestion.
Can these three commentators introduce your family members to this service first?
Then other will get more information from them on pricing and other information.
Brilliant idea Nilmini,
Your non-sexist approach in calling for the legalisation of male and female prostitution is greatly admired.
unfortunately, the NEC is a pack of dreamers, operating like thambiya mudalalis, manipulating consumer good prices to gain cheap political poularity (the thambiyas manipulate prices for profit).
Our Ranaviru are undertaking a project in Mullaitivu to grow 100,000 coconut trees in 2-3 years. Dear NEC idiots, that’s the way to go if you would like prices for consumer goods to be determined not in the air-conditioned political offices in Colombo but according to the laws of supply and demand!
Nilmini,
You are a political and social marvel.
I strongly recommend that you aspire for political and social leadership in our beloved country.
You have 2 degrees from Ruhunu University; you blazed a trail for 13 years to earn enough money for the rest of your life as a Call Girl having realised the stupidity of educational standards and content in SL.
Now, on return to to your motherland, you aspire a quiet life as an ordinary citizen.
In the 13 years as a Call Girl, you optimised the usage of your personal assets to reach a lifelong ambition of not being a slave to idiot employers but being able to live at your own freewill.
Your achievements, Dilmini, far exceed all the present and past Leaders (Presidents and Prime Ministers and Cabinet) put together.
Dilmini, please, shelve your ambition to lead a quiet life and come to the fore. We are and will be with you, illustrious daughter of Mother Lanka.
Amarakoon,
Thank you for your compliments.
I can suggest rates for male and female prostitution services.
Unfortunately, the idiots in the NEC will not listen to me.
They will consult with dinosaurs like Grandpa Cumaramswamy and brain-dead economists like Harsha and outdated Fin wizards like Eran and Mangy, the clueless Fin M and Komis Captain Maliki and of course, the PM’s bosom pal, Charith R and the walking dead man, Paski, and are likely to set up a corrupt Regulating Authority (with the Big Boss’ relative as the head) for services that I recommend.