Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe has highlighted recent economic advancements achieved under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Speaking at a press briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre under the theme "Collective Path to a Stable Country," Semasinghe emphasized the importance of effective governance and strategic planning in addressing the nation’s economic challenges.
Semasinghe discussed the ongoing distribution of relief benefits through the "Aswesuma" program, which has reached 2.4 million recipients. He announced plans for a follow-up survey to refine the selection process for an additional 400,000 applicants in the second phase of the program. This process will also involve re-evaluating the initial 3.4 million applicants to ensure fair and targeted subsidy distribution.
The latest economic report noted a 0.9% decrease in inflation over the past month, reflecting improvements in the rupee’s strength and a more balanced economic environment. Semasinghe acknowledged the challenges that remain, such as securing the third installment of the IMF program, but pointed to significant progress in debt restructuring efforts, with the second IMF review finalized and approved at the staff level.
Addressing concerns about unregulated black market prices affecting public benefits from reduced inflation, the Minister of Commerce outlined plans to implement a weekly wholesale price notification system. This initiative aims to enhance transparency and protect consumers.
Semasinghe underscored the importance of continued leadership and strategic planning to sustain the country’s economic trajectory. While recognizing ongoing challenges, he expressed optimism about the collaborative efforts to achieve a stable and prosperous future for Sri Lanka.
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