Economic Council chaired by President established

A high-level Economic Council chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has been established with the objective of accelerating the economic growth in the country, Cabinet Spokesman and Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said.

 

Addressing the weekly post-Cabinet press briefing today, the Minister said Cabinet yesterday approved to set up this eleven-member Council and to convene it weekly.

 

“At a time when the country’s economy is under stress, initiating this Council to discuss economic and fiscal policies and decisions related to strategic projects, which have direct impact on the economy, is an important step ahead,” Minister Alahapperuma said.

 

The Council headed by the President consists of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa, Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Treasury Secretary S. R. Attygala and Secretary to the President Gamini Senerath, Central Bank Deputy Governor Dhammika Nanayakkara are also Members of the Council.

 

According to the Cabinet Decisions Press Release of the Government Information Department, the President has decided to convene this Economic Council weekly to thoroughly discuss the local economic policies including macroeconomic policies. The behaviour of the national economy after the Covid-19 pandemic, economic restructuring as well as major development initiatives will also be discussed at length at the Council.

 

The Economic Council will invite intellectuals with expertise in the respective fields as required for its meetings. The Economic Council will provide instructions and guidance to implement the decisions taken by the relevant Ministries, Departments and Statutory institutions subject to Cabinet approval when necessary.