President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that the whole government should act as one mechanism, introducing new methodologies to resolve problems and towards normalizing the country by end of 2023.

The President made these remarks while addressing the staff of the President’s Office who commenced duties of the New Year 2023 at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo this morning (Jan. 02), the President’s Media Division reported.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe also said that no one can shirk their responsibilities for the country in the year 2023, which is a crucial year for the Sri Lankan economy, and invited all public servants to dedicate themselves towards making Sri Lanka a prosperous nation in the New Year.

President Wickremesinghe has hoisted the National Flag marking the commencement of duties in the New Year, and all staff members of the Presidential Secretariat took the public service pledge together, according to the PMD.

Thereafter, the President joined the staff members for a tea party, and he also extended his best wishes to the staff for the New Year.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe further said, “I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year.

“Five and a half months ago, we took over a historic task at this office. During those five and a half months, we took steps to establish normalcy in the country at a time when the government had collapsed and the economy had also collapsed. However, not all our economic problems are over yet. Nevertheless, today we have the ability to provide fuel, gas, foodstuff and fertilizer as required.”

“I must first extend my gratitude to all those who assisted us during these five and a half months. However, our task is not over yet. The most crucial year is 2023. We have to move forward by implementing the debt-restructuring program and freeing our country from the debt burden.”

“Moreover, we have to build an economy that can compete with the new world. The opinion of the majority is that there is a need for a change in the political system of this country. We have to fulfil both these things”, said the President.