By Karen Hapuarachchi
[caption id="attachment_138164" align="alignright" width="319"]
Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga[/caption]
Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga, during a special conference held yesterday (24), clarified some restrictions with regard to exports and essential services in place, while announcing few of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decisions taken during a meeting held yesterday as well.
The Tourism Minister acknowledged the economic crisis a country faces when economic activity and daily operations come to a standstill while expressing his gratitude for the support shown towards the current restrictions.
“I know when the country goes into lockdown for two weeks there will be social and economic problems. For people who earn daily wages and freelancers, these restrictions will affect them drastically,” Ranatunga commented.
He further stated that the President gave immediate orders at the aforesaid meeting to his team to devise a plan for the workers who earn daily wages in order to support them.
In addition, the plan was scheduled to be ready today (25) which will include measures that can be taken to support these workers.
In terms of the export sector, Ranatunga announced that workers related to the export sector are allowed to travel to operating factories.
He also stated that the respective companies have obtained approval from the Board of Investment (BOI) to operate according to the instructions given by the BOI.
It was further advised by the Tourism Minister to discuss any further inquiries with the BOI.
Lastly, the Tourism Minister addressed the recent issues that have sparked concerning agricultural production.
In order to clarify, he stated that wholesalers of agricultural or fresh produce do not require a certificate.
With regard to agricultural production, Ranatunga stated that State Minister of Paddy and Grains, Organic Food, Vegetables, Fruits, Chillies, Onion, and Potato Cultivation Promotion, Seed Production, and Advanced Technology Agriculture Shasheendra Rajapaksa and Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage, followed by respective ministry officials, are to discuss measures and instructions for the operation of agricultural production.
These discussed instructions must be followed accordingly, it was further noted.
Meanwhile, Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando announced the decision to extend the travel restrictions till 7 June.
Nevertheless, the imposed travel restrictions will be relaxed today, next Monday (31), and on 4 June.
During the announcement, he strictly stressed that the travel restrictions will only be eased on the aforesaid dates for the public to purchase essential items by walking to the nearest store.
Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga[/caption]
Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga, during a special conference held yesterday (24), clarified some restrictions with regard to exports and essential services in place, while announcing few of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s decisions taken during a meeting held yesterday as well.
The Tourism Minister acknowledged the economic crisis a country faces when economic activity and daily operations come to a standstill while expressing his gratitude for the support shown towards the current restrictions.
“I know when the country goes into lockdown for two weeks there will be social and economic problems. For people who earn daily wages and freelancers, these restrictions will affect them drastically,” Ranatunga commented.
He further stated that the President gave immediate orders at the aforesaid meeting to his team to devise a plan for the workers who earn daily wages in order to support them.
In addition, the plan was scheduled to be ready today (25) which will include measures that can be taken to support these workers.
In terms of the export sector, Ranatunga announced that workers related to the export sector are allowed to travel to operating factories.
He also stated that the respective companies have obtained approval from the Board of Investment (BOI) to operate according to the instructions given by the BOI.
It was further advised by the Tourism Minister to discuss any further inquiries with the BOI.
Lastly, the Tourism Minister addressed the recent issues that have sparked concerning agricultural production.
In order to clarify, he stated that wholesalers of agricultural or fresh produce do not require a certificate.
With regard to agricultural production, Ranatunga stated that State Minister of Paddy and Grains, Organic Food, Vegetables, Fruits, Chillies, Onion, and Potato Cultivation Promotion, Seed Production, and Advanced Technology Agriculture Shasheendra Rajapaksa and Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage, followed by respective ministry officials, are to discuss measures and instructions for the operation of agricultural production.
These discussed instructions must be followed accordingly, it was further noted.
Meanwhile, Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando announced the decision to extend the travel restrictions till 7 June.
Nevertheless, the imposed travel restrictions will be relaxed today, next Monday (31), and on 4 June.
During the announcement, he strictly stressed that the travel restrictions will only be eased on the aforesaid dates for the public to purchase essential items by walking to the nearest store.