President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is optimistic that the economy adversely affected by the COVID – 19 pandemic could be re-built on a solid basis.

The Presidential Task Force  in charge of the Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication has been entrusted with the responsibility of formulating a new economic model to achieve this objective. President directed that the Task Force should prepare economic plans with specified targets in different areas that come under its purview and implement them.

President expressed these views during a meeting with the members of the newly-appointed Task Force held at the Presidential Secretariat today (6) to discuss modalities relating to the resumption of civilian life and work from May 11^th. Apparel and tourism sectors which make a huge contribution to the national economy should be revitalized to suit the changing situations, President said.

President was of the view that new opportunities are now open to attract tourists  from countries where the COVID – 19 virus has subdued. Medical tourism can be promoted by highlighting the capabilities of indigenous medical  system which was used for treatment of the virus infected people. In order to encourage high-spending tourists, visas must be issued to them supplemented by an internationally recognized certificate.

Some tourists prefer to stay longer than usual in a particular country especially during the winter season. President highlighted the possibility of strengthening the tourism sector by attracting such long term travellers. Members of the Task Force were told to pay attention to promote domestic tourism so that the local hotel industry could be saved from collapse.

President also pointed out the possibility of attracting more foreign investors to invest in the Port City and the Industrial Zone in Hambantota.  The Ministry Secretaries were entrusted with the responsibility of identifying  opportunities for investments instead of seeking foreign loans.

During the last few weeks a number of new innovations have been made in the country. Steps should be taken to introduce these products to the global market.

Head of the Task Force Basil Rajapaksa said that the newly instituted Task Force has the capability of fulfilling its mandate  with a new vision in order to achieve objectives set out by the President. The Task Force will support new businesses and will extend the fullest cooperation  to already existing large, medium and small scale enterprises, he stated.

Although the private sector offices have been advised to resume work at 10.00 am daily from May 11th, industrial and production activities can be adjusted in accordance with their requirements.  Mr. Basil Rajapaksa warned that no loss of employment should take place both in the state and private sectors while the country is moving forward.

Recalling recent requests by Sri Lankan students studying in other countries to retun home, President remarked that it was an indication of the large number of students going overseas to pursue higher education. This has caused an immense outflow of foreign exchange income. President Rajapaksa said that measures should be taken to expand investment opportunities in the field of tertiary education in the country  so that outgoing  foreign exchange could be saved while providing educational facilities to foreign students, in Sri Lanka.

A large amount of money is being spent to import medicines annually. Most of these medicines can be manufactured locally. The Task Force was requested to prepare necessary background to develop pharmaceutical production in the country.

The production of vegetable and other seeds required by farmers domestically, was also discussed.

Secretary to the President P. B. Jayasundera, Secretary to the Prime Minister Gamini Senarath, several Ministry Secretaries and a number of leading businessmen also joined the discussion.

President Rajapaksa told Non Aligned Movement leaders’ online summit yesterday that Sri Lanka supports the endeavours of the WHO in ensuring effective responses on the requirements of the international community in the context of the increasing challenges brought about by the virus. The Organization’s support particularly in the search for a vaccine and assisting countries to mitigate the impact of this virus, is commendable, he said.

Sri Lanka has been successfully containing and controlling the COVID-19 threat. Out of the total PCR tests conducted so far only 3% has been confirmed as infected. He briefed the Summit that when Sri Lanka detected the first Covid-19 patient in Sri Lanka, a Chinese tourist, on 12th February, the government established a Task Force comprising key health personnel, high-ranking military personnel and administrators to monitor the spread of the pandemic and also to take required measures to combat the spread of the virus and recommend to the government any measures the government should take to mitigate the consequences.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) endorsed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s initiative to make a collective call on affluent nations and international financial institutes to grant debt relief to vulnerable countries whose economies are badly affected by lockdowns. 

Addressing the NAM Online Summit yesterday, President Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka noted with deep concern that developing countries are facing an unprecedented economic and debt crisis due to the pandemic. The anticipated global recession will further worsen this adverse climate. As such, the need for debt relief and financial stimulus for these countries has never been greater.

He called on NAM leaders attending the Summit under the Chair of Ilam Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, to make a joint appeal to the international financial institutions and donors to provide debt relief to vulnerable countries. “This will facilitate a meaningful release of valuable funding and at the same time to stimulate such economies.”

It is important to emphasize that Middle Income Countries too face critical and diverse economic and social challenges that have been augmented by this pandemic, President Rajapaksa pointed out. Therefore, it is important to also focus on their needs at this particular juncture and accord the necessary financial support to avert negative economic consequences.

The President expressed support for global solidarity, unity and renewed multi-lateral cooperation in overcoming COVID -19. Sri Lanka firmly believes that this Summit will serve as an important platform for the NAM Member States to support collective global action in combating this deadly virus and sharing best practices and lessons learnt, he said. 

Sri Lanka expressed deep appreciation to the frontline healthcare and essential workers, in Sri Lanka and globally, for their dedication and selfless commitment. Sri Lanka remains deeply concerned by the unprecedented consequences arising from this pandemic to all  countries and peoples, including its catastrophic health impacts, accompanying humanitarian crisis, devastation of economies and social and psychological tensions, among others. 

Global solidarity, unity and collective action have been key to addressing this unprecedented challenge.  As such, Sri Lanka is pleased to support various multilateral initiatives in responding to this pandemic and addressing its long-term socio-economic consequences. Sri Lanka is pleased to endorse the declaration of the NAM Online Summit, the President said.  

Sri Lanka expressed fullest support to the initiative to establish a NAM Task Force to compile a database of basic humanitarian and medical needs of the member states to sensitize donors on urgent requirements. The NAM Summit formulated a “COVID 19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan” to assist in stemming the impact of the pandemic in already vulnerable humanitarian contexts.

Further clarification

01.What are the districts where the curfew is on and at what

• Curfew will be effective in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam until further notice.
• In the rest of the districts curfew will be on from 8.00pm o 5.00 am from today (04) till Wednesday (06). Curfew which will be re-imposed in these districts at 8.00pm on Wednesday, May 6^th will be in force till 5.00am on Monday, May 11^th.

2. When will the resumption of civilian life and office work begin while curfew is still in force?

• While curfew is still in force civilian life in the distrits of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam will resume from Monday, the May 11^th .
• Although, this plan was scheduled to be implemented from today, Monday, the May 4^th, due to 04 holidays falling this week it was extended till Monday, May 11^th.

3. How do the primary functions relating to resumption of civilian life progress?

• Both public and private sector entities in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam should re-commence their work from Monday, May 11^th.
• Heads of each institute habe already had been instructed to work out a plan based on their requirements.
• Head of each entity should ensure strict adherence to the prescribed health guidelines issued to control the spread of COVID – 19 virus while carrying out their operations.
• The private sector entities are requested to open for work at 10.00am daily.
• The responsibility to decide who should come to office work and their number lies with head of the each organization.
• Buses belonging to Sri Lanka Transport Board and railway carriages can only transport employees of both public and private sectors who are reporting for work.

4. For what purposes civilian can leave their homes during curfew hours?

• Civilians except those who are essentially required to report to work are requested to remain in their homes as a measure to control the disease.
• People are allowed to leave their homes only to purchase essential items such as food and medicines.

5. What are the areas where people are premitted to leave their homes based on the last digit of the NIC and from when?

• Only in areas where the curfew is in force
• From Monday, May 11^th
• This system does not apply to areas where the curfew is relaxed

The Government expects the public will refrain from gathering unnecessarily by following above guidelines even when the curfew is lifted.

Revival of the economy and the resumption of civilian life will take place while curfew regulations are effective and controlling unnecessary congregation of people as a measure to prevent the spread of the disease is a prime objective of this mechanism.

Conditions included in previous announcements regarding the above matter remain unchanged.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa engaged in religious observances held at the historic Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises in Anuradhapura yesterday (02) to obtain the blessings of this sacred Bodhi upon the country and its citizens.

The President who visited the Anuradhapura sacred city met with the Atamasthanadhipathi Ven. Dr.Pallegama Siriniwasa Nayaka Thero and received his blessings.

President also participated in the Kiri Ahara Pujawa for Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi held near the Ruwanweli Maha Seya.

Thereafter, the President called on the Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Ven. Pallegama Hemaratana Nayaka Thero and engaged in a  discussion.

President Rajapaksa also visited the Mirisawetiya Raja Maha Viharaya and called on Chief Incumbent of the Temple Ven. Eethalawetunuwewe Gnanathilaka Nayaka Thero.

During the meeting, the President apprised the Nayaka Thero of the steps taken by the government to control the spread of the COVID-19 in the country. The Nayaka Thero said those initiatives receive the blessings of the Maha Sangha.

Later, the President visited the Sri Sambuddha Jayanthi temple in Annuradhapura and called on the Chief Incumbent of the temple Nugetenne Pannayananda Thero and secured the blessings.

While the curfew is in force in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam, the resumption of civilian life and state and private sector activities will begin from Monday, 11^th May.

In order to ensure return to normalcy in civilian life and to revive the economy including continuous provision of essential services in these districts, both public and private sector entities should resume their work from Monday, 11^th May. Heads of institutes are advised to make necessary arrangements taking into consideration of the required number of employees to run their organizations. Head of each entity should ensure strict adherence to the guidelines issued by the Director General of Health Services and other health authorities to control the spread of COVID – 19 virus while carrying out their operations.

The responsibility to decide who should come to office work and their number lies with head of the each state organization including Departments, Corporations and Boards.  The private sector entities are requested to open for work at 10.00am daily.

As a measure to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus the public must refrain from unnecessarily coming to roads and gathering at various other places. Buses belonging to Sri Lanka Transport Board and railway carriages can only transport employees who are reporting for work.

Civilians except those who are essentially required to report to work are requested to remain in their homes. People are allowed to leave their homes only to purchase essential items such as food and medicines. Corona prevention health recommendations should strictly be followed at each instance. Curfew passes issued by the Police authorities are valid only if the driver and passengers wear facemasks.

Curfew in other districts of the island except in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam will only be effective from 8.00 pm to 5.00am everyday till Wednesday, the 06^th of May.

The curfew which will be imposed at 8.00pm on Wednesday, the 06^th of May will continue till 5.00am on May 11^th.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa enlightened the Maha Sangha on the measures taken by the Government to control the spread of COVID – 19 virus and their progress during a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (24).

President explained about the control of the spread, quarantine process, reliefs granted to people and future measures to revive the national economy.

The support rendered by every segment of the society including health, security and the entire state mechanism in the face of current challenges is enormous, President said.

President stressing the necessity of a strong Parliament to fulfil the aspirations of the people bestowed on him with the landslide victory said that there are no Constitutional powers to reconvene the old Parliament but to convene a new one.

President said that he expects to meet Maha Sangha regularly on 3rd Friday of every month and expressed his anticipation of blessings and guidance of Maha Sangha as he stated in front of Ruwanweli Seya and during the assumption of office.

Nayaka Theros of all three Chapters said that they approve the conduct of the President and the Government.

Stating that the country should not be put in jeopardy by reconvening the old Parliament Maha Sangha unanimously agreed with the decision not to convene the dissolved legislature.

Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero said the previous Parliament should take the responsibility for the current financial crisis in the country.

Ven. Thrikunamale Ananda Thero, the Maha Nayaka of the Amarapura Sri Dharmarakshitha Chapter said that when looking at the initiatives taken by the President to prevent the spread of coronavirus as well as for the future, it is clear that there is a new vision being implemented in the country.

Ven. Prof. Medagoda Abayathissa Thero was of the view that the measures implemented by the President to prevent the spread of the coronavirus could be an example for other countries in the world. The young generation of the country and other various groups have invented many new products. ‘This is a golden opportunity for a better future’, the Thero further said. He also said that the Maha Sangha of the country will always support the steps being taken by the President.

Ven. Prof. Indugare Dhammarathana Thero presented a set of proposals comprising 12 points to make the Motherland secure.

Ven. Dr. Diviyagala Yasassi Thero and Ven. Prof. TubulleSeelakkanada Thero pointed out the importance of creating an environment to celebrate the Vesak festival using electronic media while remaining at homes. It was decided to appoint a Committee in this regard.

Maha Nayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Wendaruwe Upali Thero said that the steps taken by the President to feed the hungry including the beggars are commendable.

The Maha Nayaka Theros and Anu Nayaka Theros representing the Tri-Nikayas and Maha Sangha participated in this meeting.

The ongoing curfew in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam will remain in force till 5.00am on Monday, May 04^th.

In all other districts, curfew will be lifted at 5.00am on Monday, the 27^th April and will be re-imposed at 8.00pm on the same day. In these districts,  curfew will be effective from 8.00 pm to 5.00am till Friday, the 01^st May.

In order to resume work at both public and private sector entities in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam from 4^th May, even when curfew is in force, relevant regulations will be relaxed.

State organizations including Departments, Corporations and Boards as well as factories,  construction enterprises, offices, vegetable and fish stalls and retail outlets belonging to the private sector are permitted to function.

The private sector entities should open for work at 10.00am daily. During the next week, heads of the both state and private sector organizations should plan out their operations to be carried out from May 4^th onwards.

Only 1/3rd of the total workforce of each state organization such as Departments, Corporations and Boards are required to report for work. The head of each organization should ensure that only the minimum required number of employees are called for work irrespective of the essentiality of the service it provides.

All the employees of the state sector entities who are not required to report for work in office should work from their homes. The responsibility to decide who should come to office and who should work from home lies with head of the each organization. The Head has the freedom to select a different set of employees each day.

As a measure to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus the public should stop unnecessarily coming to roads and gathering at various other places.

Buses belonging to Sri Lanka Transport Board and railway carriages can only transport employees who are reporting for work. Civilians except those who are essentially required to report to work should remain in their homes.

People are allowed to leave their homes only to purchase essential items such as food and medicines. They should select the closest outlet located within walking distance from their homes to make such purchases.

Even for essential purposes people will be allowed to leave their places of dwelling based on the last digit of their National Identity Cards.

Accordingly, those with No. 1 or 2 as the last digit of the National Identity Card are allowed to leave their homes on Mondays.

Similarly, those who can leave their homes during the rest of the week are as follows:

Tuesday                  : People with No. 3 or 4 as the last digit of their NICs

Wednesday              : People with No. 5 or 6 as the last digit of their NICs

Thursday                 : People with No. 7 or 8 as the last digit of their NICs

Friday                     : People with No. 9 or 0 as the last digit of their NICs

COVID – 19 prevention health recommendations should strictly be adhered to during office hours, public transport and inside shops. They include disinfection, wearing masks, washing hand from time to time and maintaining social distance. The Police and the security forces will vigilantly observe whether these guidelines are followed.

Traveling between districts is strictly limited only to official and other essential purposes. Schools, universities, tuition classes and other education institutes and cinemas will remain closed until further notice.

If any area where the curfew has been relaxed happens to be identified as a risk village or a zone, curfew may be re-imposed limiting only to such area. No one will be permitted to enter or leave areas designated as isolated.

All forms of functions, pilgrimages and pleasure tours, carnivals, processions and meetings are banned until further notice. Since the congregation of people is a hindrance to the preventive measures to control the spread of the virus, the Government also requests to suspend all religious festivals.

Measures introduced by the Government during the initial stages of the spread of the virus  to continuously supply essential goods and services in order to ensure an uninterrupted day-to-day life will be further strengthened.

The pandemic should be controlled fully to protect the civilians against the virus. At the same time it is imperative to revive the economy which has been disrupted. These objectives can be achieved only with the cooperation of the citizenry.

The cooperation that people can extend is to understand the severity of the disease while always remaining at homes and 100% adherence to the health guidelines.

The Government insists that the public should endure all these hardships for the well-being and protection of oneself, our children and the entire nation. Anyone who acts in a manner that harms the welfare of the society will strictly be dealt with according to the existing laws.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a Presidential Task Force in charge of Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication.

It has been established under the powers vested in the President by the Constitution.

The Task Force is responsible for reviving the economy and eradication of poverty while paying special attention to the challenges posed and opportunities emerged in Sri Lanka in the wake of COVID – 19 outbreak.

Based on the vision of the “Saubhagyaye Dekma”, policy statement, the Task Force should steer the relevant institutes to create a production economy through the formulation of a unique economic structure based on novel initiatives.

Implementation of joint operations to establish a people-centric economy which will promote domestic industrialists and entrepreneurs is another objective of the Task Force.

It has also been tasked with the responsibility of taking measures to distribute products in liaising with all the institutes while paying attention to the activities undertaken by the health and education task forces to maintain normalcy in the civilian life.

The Task Force is required to  inform the President of all instances where any public official, Ministry, State Department, State Corporation or any other similar institute which delays or fails to  perform duties and responsibilities assigned by it.

Relevant provisions relating to the Task Force appointed on January 24, 2020 and March 24 on Poverty Alleviation and Livelihood Development and the Presidential Task Force appointed on March 23, 2020 on administration of essential services to continue civilian life which have been identified as high risk zones in the face of COVID- 19 spread will be abolished with the establishment of the new Task Force.

The scope and the responsibilities of the Task Force in charge of Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication will be announced in a gazette notification to be published soon.

Special Representative of the President Mr. Basil Rajapaksa will chair the Task Force while Additional Secretaries to the Office of the Prime Minister Mr. Anton Perera and D. S. Jayaweera will function as Co- Secretaries.

Following is the complete list of members of the Task Force:

1. Basil Rajapaksa, Special Representative of the President
2. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Senior Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka
3. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of the Defence Staff/ Commander of the Army
4. C. D. Wickremarathne, Acting Inspector General of Police
5. Major General (Retired) Shantha Dissanayake, Chairman, Consumer Affairs Authority
6. J. A. Nushad M. Perera, Chairman, Lanka Sathosa
7. Susantha Rathnayake, Chairman, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka
8. Jayantha de Silva, Chairman, Information and Communication Technology Agency
9. Kimarli Fernando, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority
10. Jayampathi Molligoda, Chairman, Sri Lanka Tea Board
11. Prabath Subasinghe, Chairman, Exports Development Board
12. A.Wimalaweera, Commissioner General of Labour
13. S. Singappuli, Commissioner of Cooperative Development
14. Rear Admiral (Retired) Ananda Peiris, Director General, Department of Civil Defence
15. Major General (Retired) Vijitha Ravipriya, Director General, Sri Lanka Customs
16. Bandula Thilakasiri, Director General, Department of Samurdhi Development
17. Sanjaya Mohottala, Director General, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka
18. Major General (Retired) Sudantha Ranasinghe, Director General, Disaster Management Center
19. Mahesh Gammampila, Director, Fertilizer Secretariat
20. Buddhika Madihahewa, General Manager, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation
21. Rohan Seneviratne, Additional General Manager, Ceylon Electricity Board
22. Mano Sekaram, Director Board Member, Information and Communication Technology Agency
23. Major General (Retired) Sumedha Perera
24. Sanjeewa Gunawardene, Executive Officer, E. B. Creasy & Co.
25. Samantha Kumarasinghe, Owner, Natures Secret
26. Mahesh Amalean Chairman, MAS Holdings
27. Ravi Liyanage, Chairman and CEO, The Kingdom of Raigam
28. Padmalal Withanage, Managing Director, Sanmik Group Of Companies
29. S.B.Divarathna, Retired Deputy Secretary to the Treasury
30. Secretary to the Prime Minister and Secretaries to Ministries of Finance, Economic and Policy Development, Roads & Highways,Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government, Plantation Industries and Export Agriculture, Industries & Supply Chain Management, Power and Energy, Women & Child Affairs and Social Security, Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation & Rural Development, Water Supply & Housing Facilities, Defence, Internal Trade, Food Security and Consumer Welfare.