President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today defended the decision to relax the curfew in the country, especially in the Western Province.
He said that continuing with the curfew further will have a serious impact on the local economy.
The President expressed these views in a discussion aired via his Facebook page with former President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga.
Concerns had been raised over the President’s decision to relax the curfew in some parts of the country this week and in Colombo next week.
Rajapaksa said that the economy is mostly dependent on businesses operating in the Western Province.
He said that he has no issue in continuing with the curfew for another month but that will have serious implications on the country.
Rajapaksa also said that Sri Lanka will look to target new markets after the current coronavirus crisis ends.
He said that Sri Lanka will go after the country which comes out from the coronavirus pandemic first to draw tourists.
The President also said that Sri Lanka will look to strike new deals with countries to help boost the local economy.
Commenting on demands to reconvene Parliament, the President insisted that he has no intention of reconvening the old Parliament. (Colombo Gazette)