COLOMBO, June 5, 2025 — President Anura Kumara Dissanayake delivered a pointed message to Treasury officials this week, stressing that Sri Lanka’s progress cannot be measured by economic achievements alone, and warning that true national development requires a synchronized rise in economic strength, social development, and political culture.
During a high-level discussion held at the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday (04), the President urged policymakers and public servants to rethink the foundations of the country’s progress. “We must not fall into the trap of economic metrics alone. Countries like China, Korea, and Vietnam experienced real transformation because of unified national effort over decades, not just financial reforms,” he said.
He called upon all Sri Lankans, including government institutions, to embrace their social responsibility and participate actively in shaping a future built on collective commitment rather than short-term gains. “Each individual has a role. Development is a shared mission not a task for politicians alone,” he emphasized.
President Dissanayake also emphasized his governance style, noting that he does not impose personal decisions as a political authority. “All decisions must be made through structured dialogue between experts and the political leadership,” he said, citing past failures where politically driven, arbitrary decisions led to wasteful and failed projects.
In a firm directive, the President instructed Treasury officials to urgently initiate structural reforms within key institutions. These changes, he said, must align with the government’s core policy vision, while ensuring strategic sectors remain under state control.
The President also highlighted external economic factors that could affect Sri Lanka’s financial trajectory. He referenced the IMF’s Extended Credit Facility Program, the revised tariff regime in the United States, and the upcoming GSP+ concessional trade status renewal in 2027, all of which pose both opportunities and risks for Sri Lanka’s economy.
Among the key attendees were Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labor and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning; Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance; and several senior Treasury officials.
As Sri Lanka grapples with its post-crisis recovery, President Dissanayake’s remarks appear to signal a broader ideological shift—one that advocates for holistic governance and long-term nation-building over political expediency.
