Following the presentation of the 2016 Budget in Parliament, events were held in the Colombo to discuss key points in the budget.

Minister of Finance, Ravi Karunanayake stated:

Our intentions were very clear to give a message that Sri Lanka is back in action. We wanted to give that sense of professionalism that has been lacking for a long time. We wanted to give that sense of leadership to show the government is in control of itself.

He further stated:

I basically call on the private sector, now is the time to wake up – and the ‘wait and see’ policy – should be something of the past.  I also call upon every single government official, now is the time to deliver.

He went on to state:

If you are unable to deliver, I don’t think your presence is required. While we have a limited time span of six years elected by the people, government officers are ensured to carry out the polices that are laid out by the government. But I make one earnest appeal, Sri Lanka wake up, private sector get on to your act of now being in the driving seat. Don’t tell us that we did not give you an opportunity to “Sri Lankanise” the economy.

He further noted:

We have set out the national policies of where we want to take our country in order to service our people; and that will be localised or foreign. If the local investors are unable to fulfill these aspirations the void will be filled in any which way we can. Public private partnership is the way forward, and together we can make that difference.

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