President says be prepared for sacrifices, if country is locked down for longer period

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa called to be prepared to make more sacrifices if the country needs to be closed for a longer period.

President Rajapaksa in an address to the nation explained the need to safeguard the economy and revive the tourism industry and protect the garment industry.

“The people should understand the consequences on the economy by closing down the country. If the country is closed those who depend on daily earnings as well as small, medium scale businesses and companies need to be given relief”, he said.

He said the world tourism market is on the path of recovery and some of the countries are already benefiting from it and Sri Lanka also should capitalize on the situation. “We cannot allow the country’s economy to collapse”.

The President refering to the garment industry said the country has been getting orders and the orders need to be delivered on time. “If we do not do that we will lose foreign earnings.”

He said however, in order to control the COVID-19 situation, a curfew was being imposed until 4.00 am on August 30,

The President also explained the efforts made to vaccinate persons against COVID19 adding that by end of August 81 per cent would be given the second dose and by September 10 it will reach 100 per cent.