Briefing on current world economic situation

Atapattu BANDARA

A meeting on the current world economic situation was held with the participation of ministers, deputy ministers, chief ministers, parliamentarians and electoral organizers under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

Attention was focused on the present political, social and economic situation in Sri Lanka , in particular, fuel prices, electricity bills and problems of fishermen.

Attention was also focused on the campaign being carried out by the Opposition against the government. It was decided to initiate a rapid reaction process with a pragmatic and a more tangible propaganda campaign so that the public would not be deceived by the Opposition's conspiratorial efforts.

Sri Lanka Freedom Party General Secretary Minister Maithripala Sirisena said the report titled 'Military workshop for government ministers and parliamentarians' published in an English newspaper on Wednesday was incorrect. He said this was false news.

However, he said that there will be a workshop for ministers at Diyatalawa from March 3 and 4. "We have conducted four similar meetings before," he said.

Most of the previous meetings were held in hotels. Almost all hotels were filled with tourists. Therefore, the government decided to conduct the meeting in Diyatalawa without inconveniencing tourists, he said.

Minister Susil Pramajayantha explained the recent fuel price hike while Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka gave a detailed analysis of the electricity bill while Minister Rajitha Senaratne explained the problems in the fisheries sector.

Minister Wimal Weerawansa explained current affairs in Sri Lanka while Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivaard Cabraal explained how the international fuel market price fluctuation affects the country.