President Maithripala Sirisena said from next January all Ministers should participate in the district development committee meetings, held in every district. They should educate divisional political leaders as well as government officers about the development programs carried out by their ministries within the districts.

The President was speaking at the second meeting of the National Economic Council, headed by him yesterday, at the Presidential Secretariat.

This second meeting of the National Economic Council was focused on the activities of the Ministry of Industries and Commerce and the Ministry of Primary Industries. They discussed about the operation and future programs of the relevant ministries.

The President emphasized the need to strengthen the powers of Sri Lanka Consumer Affairs Authority, make the required amendments to the Consumer Protection Act and implement it in a more effective and strong way.

It was also discussed in detail regarding the preparation of the 2018 budget and the amendments to the budget proposals.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Rishad Bathiudeen, Secretary to the President, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretary to the Treasury and the Governor of the Central Bank and public officials were present at the meeting.