State Minister of Money and Capital Markets and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nirvard Cabraal stressed that Sri Lanka cannot afford a lockdown in a tweet this morning (28).
Stating that long term economic damage will be widespread, the Minister is of the opinion that even though strict health restrictions may be imposed, the country must be kept open and functioning.
He also noted that half of the country’s population will not be able to face the fall-out of a lockdown.
In terms of Small and Medium Enterprises, Cabraal fears that they will be driven to despair, resulting in Macro fundamentals becoming seriously compromised.