Fresh Perspectives Needed for Sri Lanka's Progress, says PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has stressed on the importance of innovation as a catalyst for meaningful transformation in Sri Lanka.

Speaking on the nation's journey from its past to a promising future, the Prime Minister underscored the need for fresh perspectives and ideas to drive progress.

"Today, we are looking at the past with an eye towards the future. Previously, our leaders talked about the glories of our past; today, we are also talking about the potential for a glorious future. Innovation is a very appropriate term in our conversations about how to make that happen," stated Prime Minister Amarasuriya.

She emphasized that innovation should not be seen as a mere catchphrase or trend but as a fundamental driver of change. "I am talking about innovation in the sense of being a catalyst for meaningful transformation. It is not simply about an imagined future, and I don't think it means a complete break from the past. But it certainly suggests a future, looking forward," she added.

The Prime Minister highlighted that innovation is not limited to technology or science but also encompasses fresh perspectives, ideas, and paradigms. She acknowledged the challenges faced by post-colonial nations like Sri Lanka, including issues of identity, governance systems, and outdated laws.

"Part of these struggles are due to our collective failure to build a society based on social justice and inclusivity after independence. Independence did not, unfortunately, lead to greater democratization of our society in the sense of greater citizen participation. Rather, it led to the establishment of a system of patronage, creating a privileged elite political class that gradually grew more corrupt," she remarked.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya expressed optimism about the current opportunities to democratize society both politically and economically. "Today, this is changing, and we have an opportunity to democratize society, both politically and economically. This is the transformative potential of this particular moment," she concluded. The Prime Minister was speaking at the Innovation Island Summit in Colombo.