Connecting Sri Lanka to International Markets

In order to encourage local industrialists targeting the international market and guide them to solve the problems they face, the proposal and business agreement related to the Connect Sri Lanka programme to be launched by National Television Rupavahini, was exchanged under the leadership of the Minister of Transport, Highways and Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana at the Ministerial Auditorium yesterday .

This programme has been created under a new concept targeting diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka.

The proposal was exchanged between the State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya and Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardhana and the business agreement related to the programme was exchanged between Prasad Samarasekera, Chairman of the Rupavahini Corporation and Dr. Saranga Alahapperuma, Chairman of the Industrial Development Board.

The Minister who spoke on this occasion, “This opportunity can be called an occasion to fulfill a very important national responsibility. There is no political solution to the problem of paying the foreign debt obtained by the country. There is only an economic solution.

One of the main goals of this year’s budget proposals presented for this programme is to provide a big incentive for an export-oriented economy. For that, there are many factors including product diversification, market diversification, and innovation that we traditionally follow.

However, a major problem facing exporters in Sri Lanka is that the real problems facing them are not recognized by the rulers and planners and they do not have a voice. Right now, most people focus on only a few successful exporters at the top. There is no one to listen to the problems of the voiceless exporters below them.

For example, the main bicycle exporters in Sri Lanka were banned by the European Union a few years ago. The reasons for this were some wrong actions followed by some companies operating under the Board of Investment projects in Sri Lanka. The domestic industry took legal action against the European Union regarding the ban and won the case. After that, the same verdict was given in the high court, but still there is no proper solution to their problems. Such issues should be discussed in the national media. National Rupavahini is initiating the connect Sri Lanka programme to create a public discourse with such voiceless exporters, medium small-scale industrialists including responsible officials and sectors.

In order to raise proper awareness for that purpose, a cabinet paper was approved on working jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Mass Media. Through that, such new creators are drawn to the attention of a large number of people in society, while also having the ability to raise awareness in every sector. All those who contribute to the national effort to build the country by contributing new creators and entrepreneurs at village level are fulfilling a national duty and responsibility.

Additional Secretaries of the Ministry of Mass Media, Ministry of External Affairs, Industry Development Board, National Rupavahini, officials of other institutions including various representatives were present on this occasion.

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