Utilize authority granted under 13A: President in North

President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged regional politicians to utilize the powers granted by the 13th Amendment for economic development, asserting that devolution should not merely be a political concept but an economic reality.

“If we examine the provisions of the 13th Amendment, there is ample authority to establish a robust local economy. We pledge not to intervene in those affairs. I am encouraging you to take the initiative. Rather than seeking to monopolize funds from Colombo, consider the examples set by other nations," President Wickremesinghe said at an event held in Jaffna yesterday as part of his four day official visit to North. 

Take Japan, for instance; it’s not a federal state, yet various departments and regions are well-developed. The same can be observed in Korea. Look at the United Kingdom—Scotland and Wales have their own developed economies. Why can’t we emulate such functioning regional economies?, he asked.

"France offers a comparable model with economic centres around Paris, Marseille, and other cities. Through devolution, we can harness these powers and foster development. While devolution is often discussed in political terms, it’s essential to enact laws that empower regions. Mere vocal advocacy without financial resources holds little value."

Addressing the audience, President Wickremesinghe acknowledged the challenges faced by the nation, citing the Easter bomb incident in 2019 and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He highlighted the grim economic situation in 2022, where the country witnessed a growth decline of over 7%. However, the President emphasized his role in stabilizing the economy in 2023, with positive growth observed in the later quarters.

He also shared his optimism for the coming years, projecting a positive growth of 2-3% for the current year and a more substantial growth of about 5% in 2025. He underscored the importance of these two years as stabilizing periods and unveiled a strategic shift in economic policies.