The minister stated this at a seminar organized on “Citizens’ Engagement in the Budgetary Process – 2017 held at the Miloda Academy in Colombo yesterday (September 7).
A group of professors and lecturers representing 12 universities in the country participated in this seminar and, a research which gathered views from people from all corners of the island on how to develop the country was also taken for discussion during the seminar.
Addressing the seminar, Minister Karunanayake said that a large number of students enter universities annually and similar number of graduates passed out. He said the aim of the government is to produce skillful graduates who can directly cater to the job market.
The Minister also said that professionalism is essential for workforces and problems are a common phenomenon, therefore the participation of the intelligentsia is a vital requirement in solving problems to reach development goals. Therefore this government expects the academicians to participate in its development drive.
Minister Karunanayake further said:
“Challenges are a common phenomenon in change. Firm decisions would have to be taken on certain instances. There is no need to be scared thinking that the decisions are unpopular. Various problems emerged when the government attempted to change the fertilizer subsidy. But the change was intended to remove middlemen, fraudsters and eliminate unpractical procedures. Now the fertilizer subsidy goes directly to correct hands. There are lots of other areas where changes have to be done. One such colossal project is Samurdhi. It is a project which wastes huge public money. The needy get a little benefit while some political henchmen and their proxies enjoy the lions share. It is high time this system changed and, the money is granted to the needy to obtain their contribution towards the ongoing development. The knowledge of the intelligentsia is necessary in creating mechanisms to change this type of projects.
The country is now on the correct track. The government has been able to consolidate its financial situation and reduce the budget deficit.
Minister Karunanayake recollected the statement made by Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who said soon after he was appointed as the army commander, that he would not leave his successor to fight the LTTE war. Minister Karunanayake also said that he too would not leave the current economic problems of the country on the shoulders of his successor.
President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are giving their full blessings and other facilities to me to build a vibrant economy. Majority masses voted President Sirisena, anticipating him to build a new country and the current government is committed to it. I sincerely request the intellectuals of this country to lend their hand and knowledge unstinted for this government to achieve its noble task”.
Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Deputy Secretary A.R. Deshapriya, Director General of Budgetary Department Ruwan Chandra, Director General of Information Technology management Department S.H. Harischandra, Director of Economic Affairs Dimuthu Samaratunga, Miloda CEO Anura Lokuhetti and several others participated.
