News
Trade Minister says export economy key to country’s economic wellbeing
By Saman Indrajith
Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardane told Parliament on Tuesday (20) that the strengthening of the export economy was vital for solid economic growth and to balance macroeconomic variables of the country
Presenting several orders under the Export Development Act for the approval of the House, Minister Dr Gunawardane said that the Ministerial Council on Export Development established to develop the export sector in the country had not met for 28 years. However, after 28 years the council had met under the chairmanship of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
“This ministerial council on export development is supposed to consist of all ministries that are directly linked to our export items such as the Ministry of Agriculture, minor exports and so on. This council is expected to evaluate our export sector, propose policies, draw an export development plan and then establish and monitor export development authority. Most unfortunately this council has not met for 28 years. The last time this council met was during the time Lalith Athulathmudali was the Minister of Trade in the country. For moving ahead, we first need some orders approved regarding the Export Development Act so that we can utilise the Export Development Board and the Export Development Fund.
“If we look at the history of Sri Lanka, we have been recognised as noble traders in the international market with rich export items. Sri Lanka was a centre for international trade. That is why we were colonised by several foreign nations. However, after colonisation we became a nation dependent on imports. Since Independence there have been several attempts to introduce import substitution policies. That is how industries such as Lanka Loha, Sri Lankan made steel, tyres, textiles developed in the country. During this time, we had no issues relating to our finances. Due to the introduction of the open economy by late President J.R. Jayewardene created a situation which is unhealthy for our local economy. Since then our expenditure on imports kept growing larger than our income from exports.”
Minister Gunawardena tabled a report prepared by the CINTEC, which is engaged in an experiment to manufacture a battery with locally extracted graphite. “We must be able to allocate a few billions of rupees to develop the export items such as the one proposed by the CINEC. At least 25 percent of the export development fund should be directed to encourage exporters and researchers.”
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
AKD: Govt. agenda on track despite Ditwah disaster
SL to receive 10 helicopters from US
Foreign couple held over alleged biopiracy at Horton Plains
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