The minister expressed these views during a ceremony held at the Ministry premises on January 2.

 

The minister said that Sri Lanka has reported several achievements as well as some drawbacks since independence. He said however, a new political culture was set in motion after January 8, 2015.

 

The main two rival political parties in the country joined hand in hand to govern the country and, year 2017 marks another firm year which ensures a successful journey forward, Minister Karunanayake said.

 

The minister who pointed out that the new government accepted a rule on January 8, 2015, with a huge Rs.10,900 billion debt burden said that such colossal liabilities have been managed properly through financial discipline. He also said that the current government is not ready at all to put the debt burden on the people. The minister said that the people keep watching on the forward march of this government therefore a substantial change would happen in the socio economic filed in the country during 2017.

 

Addressing the ceremony, Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga said 2017 will be a year of many challenges. He stated that 365 days should be managed properly to implement more than 325 budget proposals in2017.

 

He said that a program titled “Beginning of a sustainable era” was inaugurated by President Maithripala Sirisena this morning. Funding the projects coming under this program should be funded by the Ministry of Finance and, the ministry is fully committed to achieve set targets in the Presidential program.

 

The entire staff including all department heads of the Finance Ministry participated at this ceremony.