At the #BIMSTEC digital Conclave Sri Lanka 2025 Opening remarks on Public Digital Infrastructure and the need for digitization ශ්‍රි ලංකාවේ පැවති බිම්ස්ටෙක් ඩ්ජිටල් සමුළුවේ ආර්ම්භක දේශනය. 2025 ඩිජිටල්කරණයේ වැදගත්කම, එය සාර්ථක කරගැනීමට අවශ්‍ය දේශපාලනික උවමනාව වංචා දූශන අවම කර විනිවිදභාවය ගෙන ඒමේ අවශ්‍යතාව රටේ පුරවැසියන්ගේ සමානාත්මතාව අයිතියක් ලෙස පිලිගැනීම

We have a collective goal and a responsibility, at the National chamber of commerce #CA What is the change you will see

Not much can by changed in SOEs by external audits and oversight committees, its all about the strength of the Internal Control system. Shared my experience at the awareness workshop for directors of the SOEs under ministry of Industries and entrepreneurship. #CA #risk #Cope #COPA #SOEs

Any of the cabinet decisions so far has not been contested or criticized by opposition, we are on track delivering the policy presented in writing before the election. It a transformation and it will take time. Please Watch the results #CA

The EDCM Resumes Operations After 28 Years: A Bold Step Towards USD 36 Billion Export Revenue by 2030 The Export Development Council of Ministers (EDCM) convened after a 28-year hiatus, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat on January 27, aligned with the government’s vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life.” Key highlights include: 🔹 Ambitious Export Targets: Export revenue, which stood at USD 16.1 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 18.2 billion in 2025, with a goal of achieving USD 36 billion by 2030 through a comprehensive action plan. 🔹 Strategic Priorities: Strengthening domestic production, promoting export-driven growth, attracting FDI, and leveraging Sri Lanka’s strategic location and resources. 🔹 Decisive Actions: • Introduction of a VAT refund system for tourists. • Automation of export product inspections at Katunayake airport. • Promotion of renewable energy and adoption of modern technologies in export industries. • Incentives for gem and jewellery exports. • Duty concessions for raw materials to boost electronic equipment manufacturing. • Digitalization of export-related data systems to improve efficiency. 🔹 Focus on Solutions: Addressing key challenges in the apparel sector, enhancing bank guarantees for service exports, and providing CESS funding to support entrepreneurs and investors. The EDCM, established in 1980, aims to boost Sri Lanka’s global competitiveness by formulating and implementing national export development policies. Its revival signifies a renewed commitment to sustainable economic growth. This meeting underscores the government’s dedication to transitioning Sri Lanka into a globally competitive, export-driven economy. #EconomicGrowth #SriLanka #Exports #Sustainability #Innovation #EDCM

@SLPPDumbster Slpp can eat for another 20 years 😀 with no seat in parliament

Historic Collaboration: For the first time, all relevant stakeholders in the coconut industry, including ministries and supporting institutions, are coming together to solve common issues and agree on a long-term plan. Current Challenges: Production Decline: Despite an expected capacity of 3,300 million nuts, only 2,600 million were produced last year, leading to shortages for both local consumption and the export sector. Unplanned Cultivation: Lack of fertilization, outdated technologies, and the use of fertile lands for other purposes have contributed to the decline. Future Goals: Increase Production: The plan aims to boost production to 4,500 million nuts. Support Export Sector: A short-term plan includes increasing productivity of coconut usage and importing raw materials to support exports. National Plan: A comprehensive strategy to grow the coconut industry, reduce waste, and educate the public on maximizing the value of every part of the coconut. Economic Impact: The goal is to achieve $1.5 billion in value-added coconut product exports within the next three years.

Today we visited the most successful incubator and coworking space in Sri Lanka #Hatch We need more and more across the Island It’s amazing what SPACE can do.. Hatch is a leading Innovation & Entrepreneurship organisation that implements Business Incubators, Accelerators and provides Investment Advisory Services to help entrepreneurs. Over the last 5 years they have supported over 700+ Startups. Hatch Works is Sri Lanka's largest Co-Working space with 800+ seats in the heart of Colombo and they are planning to expand this to create an Innovation District that can attract global Investors and Talent. You can connect with them with your amazing idea to increase the chances of success, via their Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook pages or write to joinus@hatch.lk

🚀 A Historic Step Towards Driving Entrepreneurship and Industrialization in Sri Lanka! Yesterday, we had an incredible workshop at the Ministry of Industries, where, for the first time in history, multiple institutions—NEDA, SED, NPS, EDB, and IDB—aligned their purposes under one roof. The energy and positive vibes in the room were truly remarkable! These institutions, each playing a crucial role in supporting SMEs and the industrial sector, have now come together to design a common goal aimed at effectively driving entrepreneurship and industrialization across Sri Lanka. ✨ Key outcomes from the workshop include: •Formation of sub-committees to align various training programs, awards, and initiatives conducted by each institution. •A decision to combine all data to develop more effective targets. •Plans to consolidate all digital platforms into one comprehensive system. •Most importantly, a unified resolve to work as one team moving forward, with the ambitious goal of doubling Sri Lanka’s exports and achieving economic growth above 6%. This is not just a collaboration; it’s a movement towards a stronger, more unified approach to supporting our nation’s entrepreneurs and industrial leaders. Together, we can drive progress, innovation, and prosperity for Sri Lanka! 🇱🇰 #Entrepreneurship #Industrialization #SriLanka #Collaboration #EconomicGrowth #Teamwork

Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) of the 9th Parliament holds a pivotal role in the nation’s economic affairs, tasked with reviewing the critical economic bills to Parliament. The appointment of Dr @HarshadeSilvaMP as the new Chairman offers a valuable platform for all political parties, including the opposition, to collaborate towards the economic prosperity of the country. The inaugural meeting was convened on 6th, where the Committee reviewed the 2024 Mid-Year Financial Situation Report. Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mahinda Siriwardena, along with ministerial officials and the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe and his team was part of the meeting Additionally, the Committee conditionally approved, the 2025 Annual Program Proposal of the National Audit Office for compliance purpose, with a request to review the same separately. The members of the Committee include the Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, along with Members of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake, Harshana Rajakaruna, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam, Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne, Akram Ilyas, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Siri Wijenayake, Thilindra Wijenayake, Lakshman Wijesekara, and the Assistant Secretary to Parliament, Mr. Hansa Abeyratne.

@Thanushka02 Yes the commercial banks will look at business in that way, but we dont have development banks yet, please suggest better solutions

@yasasrij Suggest the solution too, we are looking at various options

Today, we met Mr. Gevorg Sargsyan, Country Manager of the World Bank and his team, at my office. During our discussion, we highlighted several structural challenges that have hindered the growth of Sri Lankan industries over the past four decades, including: The absence of a national integrated industrial plan. Limited access to capital for industrialists. Weak institutional support for industrial growth. A lack of anti-dumping policies to protect local industries. The shortage of a skilled workforce essential for sustainable development. We also addressed pressing contemporary issues, such as the adverse impacts of recent tax policy changes and the challenges arising from non-performing debts. In addition, we outlined our strategic vision for industrial development, our short-term goals, and the specific forms of assistance we require to achieve these objectives. The World Bank delegates shared insights into their ongoing programs and areas where they could support our initiatives. Notably, they emphasized their focus on the Business Ready Index, technical assistance for research, and State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) restructuring. Beyond their pledged funding for agricultural transformation, they offered insights on how their expertise could align with our broader objectives. The World Bank team included Mr. Gregory Smith (Lead Economist), Mr. Victor Anthonypillai (Senior Country Officer, IFC), and Ms. Amila Dahanayake (Economist). My team comprised Mr. Yasas Hewage (Personal Secretary) and Ms. Melani Augustine( Coodinating secretary)

How do we achieve better results for people and industry while being with in the IMF framework, India Vietnam South Korea created their own growth trajectory. Why cannot we #CA

"Building global business is a national process not an adhoc out come " #CA

These are not mere products; they are masterpieces crafted by skilled artisans. Their worth cannot be measured by price, for they embody thousands of years of knowledge, heritage, passion, love, and care. These unique creations are the true competitive advantages of Sri Lanka. new government is committed to preserving and promoting this wealth of knowledge, ensuring it is passed on to future generations and shared with the world. This industry has been neglected for decades රන්සළු Handloom exhibition is on at BMICH till 8th December