Uma Oya project will add 120 MW of electricity to the national grid by February 15th – Minister of State for Irrigation
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has called for unity among political parties in Sri Lanka, emphasizing the importance of maintaining trust in the country’s economy by honoring agreements with international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The President made these remarks during the International Customs Day celebrations in Colombo.
Highlighting the role of customs revenue in the country’s economy, President Wickremesinghe expressed gratitude to the Customs Department for their contributions in 2023 and emphasized the need to enhance customs efficiency to boost revenue. He also mentioned the upcoming government legislation and modernization initiatives that aim to improve all public revenue-generating institutions.
President Wickremesinghe awarded Certificates of Merit to customs officials for their exceptional services to the International Customs and received the Strategic Plan for 2024 from the Director General of Sri Lanka Customs. He stressed the significance of customs revenue throughout Sri Lanka’s history and outlined the government’s commitment to modernizing customs and other revenue departments.
The President acknowledged the challenges faced by the country, such as shortages of essential goods in 2021 and the economic crisis of 2022. He highlighted the need for economic development to address these issues and laid out the government’s plans to stimulate growth through a competitive market, increased exports, and collaboration with other countries.
President Wickremesinghe also urged political party leaders in parliament to engage in discussions regarding the IMF agreement, acknowledging the possibility of amendments but emphasizing the importance of upholding the existing agreement. He extended an invitation to the Managing Director of the IMF to participate in a collective dialogue to explore different perspectives and propose modifications if necessary.
In conclusion, President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighted the need for comprehensive discussions and a united commitment to addressing the country’s challenges. He stressed the importance of considering the long-term impact of decisions on the future of Sri Lanka’s economy and urged political parties to engage in meaningful dialogue, especially in preparation for elections.
The Uma Oya project, as announced by the Minister of State for Irrigation, is set to add 120 MW of electricity to the national grid by February 15th, further contributing to the country’s energy resources.
