"Reducing Income Disparity and Ensuring Affordable Essentials for All Sri Lankans", An Open Letter to the President of Sri Lanka and Political Leade
Anura Kumara Dissanayake Ranil Wickremesinghe Sajith Premadasa Namal Rajapaksa
Dear President and Respected Leaders of Sri Lanka,
As a friend and supporter deeply invested in Sri Lanka’s well-being, I write to you from India. While the country faces significant economic challenges, there is hope in fostering inclusive growth, reducing income disparity, and making essentials affordable for all Sri Lankans.
The Economic Situation and Its Impact on the Vulnerable
The economic downturn has had devastating consequences for Sri Lanka’s lower-income population. As of 2022, the poverty rate surged to 25%, with urban poverty rising to 15%, exacerbated by inflation that peaked at 69.8%.
Despite inflation easing to around 4% by mid-2023, the cost of living remains high, and income inequality has widened. Access to food, education, and healthcare has become increasingly difficult for the majority.
Addressing Income Disparity
Reducing income disparity is critical to ensuring Sri Lanka’s recovery benefits every citizen. Several measures can support this goal:
Cooperation with India for Economic Resilience
Strengthening Sri Lanka’s relationship with India is key to its economic resilience. India provided $4 billion in financial assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022 alone, which reflects the strong ties between our countries. Expanding this cooperation can further help Sri Lanka stabilise its economy.
Conclusion: An Inclusive Economic Recovery
A path to recovery must be grounded in inclusivity, ensuring that the poorest citizens can afford food, housing, and healthcare while creating opportunities for upward mobility. Partnering with India in key areas such as trade, agriculture, and renewable energy can significantly contribute to making essential goods affordable and reduce income disparity.
Now is the time for bold action and collaboration. Sri Lanka’s leaders have the opportunity to forge a new chapter in the country’s economic journey by addressing inequality and building a future where every citizen can thrive.
领英推荐
Yours sincerely,
Javed Ahsan
Indian Supporter of Sri Lanka’s Progress and Growth
Bibliography
Asian Development Bank (2023) Sri Lanka Economic Outlook Report. Available at: https://www.adb.org/countries/sri-lanka/economy (Accessed: 13 October 2024).
Central Bank of Sri Lanka (2023) Annual Report 2022. Colombo: Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Available at: https://www.cbsl.gov.lk/en/publications/economic-and-financial-reports/annual-reports (Accessed: 13 October 2024).
International Monetary Fund (2023) Sri Lanka: 2023 Article IV Consultation and Request for an Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility. Washington, DC: International Monetary Fund. Available at: https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2023/Sri-Lanka-2023-Article-IV-Consultation (Accessed: 13 October 2024).
World Bank (2022) Sri Lanka Economic Update: Navigating Multiple Crises. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/srilanka/publication/economic-update-october-2022 (Accessed: 13 October 2024).
World Food Programme (2023) Sri Lanka: Food Security Update. Available at: https://www.wfp.org/publications/sri-lanka-food-security-update (Accessed: 13 October 2024).
Courtesy: https://javedahsan.com/2024/10/13/open-letter-to-the-president-of-sri-lanka-and-political-leaders/
#SriLankaEconomy, #ReduceInequality, #AffordableEssentials, #PovertyReduction, #IncomeDisparity, #SocialSafetyNets, #EconomicGrowth, #IndiaSriLankaRelations, #FoodSecurity, #InclusiveGrowth, #RenewableEnergy, #AgriculturalReform, #SriLankaRecovery, #PublicWelfare, #SupportForThePoor