‘Country has opportunity to develop more’
Harshini PERERA
Economic development should be the main concern of Sri Lanka at this
crucial juncture of the country’s history. The civil service of the
country needs to be more vibrant in considering the services delivered,
Gerorge Mason University School of Public Policy Professor Hilton L.
Root said at the seminar on “Sri Lanka as an emerging economy: Lessons
from East Asia” held yesterday in Colombo.
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Professor Hilton L. Root |
He said that compared to other countries in the East Asian region,
Sri Lanka has the opportunity to become a more developed country at
present but the country needs to fulfil components of development in a
sustainable manner. Sri Lanka has not been able to reach a status of a
developed country due to certain shortcomings.
Sri Lanka has to ensure an effective civil service and good
governance along with enhancing infrastructure facilities. The private
sector is considered the engine of development but it is not given the
necessary freedom to work independently, he said.
What Sri Lanka needs to concentrate on is networking and forming
partnerships with neighbouring countries, not on exports or domestic
consumption, he said. He said that since Sri Lanka is in the throes of
the economic recession, it should diversify the main income generator
and attempt to manufacture what is not being manufactured in
neighbouring countries.
Lirneasia Lead Economist Dr. Harsha de Silva said that the practice
of proper democracy, good governance and ensuring public sector
efficiency can make the country sustainable and reduce the corruption
level. |
