No privatisation of State banks, assures Mahinda

BY ROHAN Mathes

PRIME MINISTER Mahinda Rajapakse reaffirmed yesterday that the People's Alliance government will not privatise the major economic institutions in the country, including the State banks. Instead, it will move forward by consolidating and enhancing their efficiency.

The Premier was addressing members of the Front for the Protection of National Resources and the State Banks Committee at Temple Trees.

Prime Minister Rajapakse said that due to the support pledged by the Leftists parties including the JVP, for his victory at the Presidential Election, the UNP has gone berserk and is consistently engaged in slinging mud at him.

He pointed out that due to the success in the talks he had with the JVP, the UNP was striving to create an unwarranted rift between him and the business community. However, the economic system followed by the PA would do no harm to the business community.

Rajapakse added that they had already taken measures to solve a burning issue by establishing a State institution which will purchase agri products from the farming community at reasonable prices.

This would provide an opportunity for the bank officers too, to offer their assistance for the development of the country.