In a bold parliamentary statement, Colombo District MP Ravi Karunanayake called on the Sri Lankan government to set aside political divisions and collaborate with opposition MPs to revive the economy. Citing the critical role of small businesses and youth frustration, he emphasized the urgent need for investment, entrepreneurship, and strategic thinking.
Colombo District Parliamentarian Ravi Karunanayake made a strong appeal in Parliament, urging the government to collaborate with opposition MPs to bolster Sri Lanka’s fragile economy.
Speaking during a debate, Karunanayake stressed that bipartisan cooperation is now essential for real progress.
He emphasized the vital role small and medium-scale entrepreneurs play in driving economic activity and called for more attention to be given to these sectors.
“The budget today isn’t what it used to be. The circumstances have changed. Instead of pointing fingers, it’s time to focus on solutions. Action is what we need now,” he stated.
Highlighting the rising cost of living, he added, “Household income might have grown to Rs. 2.4 million, but the cost for a family of four, which was Rs. 67,000, has surged drastically. The youth are growing increasingly discontent.”
Karunanayake urged the government to aggressively expand investment avenues and create more opportunities for entrepreneurship. “We carry a massive debt burden as a country. The only way forward is to increase investment and innovation.”
Recalling his earlier warnings about the inefficiency of national carrier SriLankan Airlines, he said, “I had said before that SriLankan cannot be built on Rs. 20 billion. Only a large-scale, modern airline operation can truly uplift the aviation sector.”
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