COLOMBO (News 1st); The President says that the main objective of the Government is to improve the living standards of at least 70% of the rural population, whose livelihood is based on agriculture.

The President said this during an online discussion with District Secretaries, held today, where he said the entire State Mechanism should be prepared for a new beginning.

Accordingly, discussions were held on the steps to be taken to re-normalize the economy which had gone back two years due to COVID-19 and to achieve the targets promised by the Government.

The President said that the challenge of creating a green economy with the organic fertilizer policy must be overcome to improve the livelihood of agriculture-dependent population in the rural areas.

Other challenges include prioritizing renewable energy instead of fossil fuels and coal, reviving the tourism industry and strengthening investment.

The District Secretaries pointed out the need to urgently amend the circulars and ordinances which are not relevant that are hindering the achievement of these goals.

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