“The Economy Is Not a Gamble”: President

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stressed the urgent need for a transformation not only in the economic sphere but also within the social fabric of the nation. 

President cited retiring Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana as a model of integrity and resilience, recalling a personal conversation in which Siriwardana described his experience during the national financial crisis, including the sale of gold reserves and the sacrifices made to stabilize the economy.

“He told me that even in the midst of crisis, one can choose to live with dignity or fall deeper into turmoil,” the President said. “What matters is having a plan guided by conscience.”

The President also highlighted the disconnect between public servants and citizens, using the example of the passport office, where the relationship between the official inside and the citizen outside the queue is often impersonal and strained. He called for a renewed sense of empathy and accountability within the public service.

Addressing the ongoing shortage of essential medicines, the President clarified that the issue is not due to a lack of funds. “We have allocated the necessary budget,” he said. “The problem lies within the procurement mechanisms and internal conflicts among responsible authorities.”

He warned that unless these systemic issues are addressed, the crisis will persist. Reflecting on past economic mismanagement, he criticized the short-sighted view that treated the economy like a game of chance, emphasizing instead the need for a clear, sustained vision and strategy.

“The economy is not a gamble,” the President concluded. “It requires disciplined, long-term planning. And for that, we must embrace transformation—both in our institutions and in our values.”