– President Addresses Sri Lanka Banks Association
Actions are being implemented to streamline Sri Lanka’s informal economy with safeguards for all citizens, as the nation moves forward with plans for digital identity cards.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake underscored his commitment to impartiality in economic decision-making, reaffirming that the government holds no special affiliations with any party in driving the country’s economic growth. His remarks were made during a meeting with the Sri Lanka Banks Association at the Presidential Secretariat today (29).
The President addressed both the vital role banks play in economic development and the challenges they face. He highlighted the government’s focus on digital transformation, including the issuance of electronic identity cards, with the goal of completing this initiative within one and a half years.
Amid economic recovery efforts, President Dissanayake emphasized the importance of balancing support for both banks and entrepreneurs, cautioning that assistance to entrepreneurs should not be misused. This balanced approach, he noted, is essential for ensuring stability within both sectors.
He also addressed the need to formalize Sri Lanka’s significant informal economy in a way that safeguards those who currently rely on it for their livelihoods.
Discussions covered the pressing challenges facing Sri Lanka, including project delays and investment hurdles caused by corruption. The President reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing a streamlined, transparent, and effective system to overcome these obstacles.
Participants included prominent banking executives such as Bingumal Thewarathanthri (CEO, SLBA), Sanath Manathunga (CEO, Commercial Bank), Hemantha Gunathilaka (CEO, Nations Trust Bank), Ayodhya Iddawela (CEO, Sampath Bank), Damith Pallewatte (Acting CEO, Hatton National Bank), Ramesh Jayasekara (CEO, Seylan Bank), Kelum Edirisinghe (CEO, NDB Bank), and Niranjan Figuerado (CEO, Deutsche Bank), alongside Indrajith Boyagoda (SLBA) and other representatives.
