Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has said that his government will finalize a new economic program for the country by next week. Chairing a meeting of the National Economic Council, Mr Sirisena had detailed discussions on the rapid changes required in the country and short term and long term programmes needed to speed up economic development. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, senior ministers and officials were present in the meeting.The Council was appointed by President Sirisena last year to take policy decisions for economic development.
The decision to formulate a new economic program is a sequel to ongoing tensions between the two constitutional authorities in Sri Lanka. Earlier, Prime minister Ranil was chairing cabinet committee on economic management which took all crucial economic decisions. President Sirisena former NEC few months back to take over economic decision-making. The rivalry has further intensified after local body polls this month where parties of both leaders fared badly. President Sirisena suggested Ranil to take responsibility for the defeat and step down but latter refused. Sri Lankan President has sought Supreme court opinion on whether he can remove a government or not.
