Sri Lanka badmouthed by terrorists, sympathizers, political promoters, ignoramuses: CB Governor

July 25, 2007 (LBO) – Negative views about Sri Lanka's economy are promoted by terrorists, terror sympathizers, promoters of political agendas and people who are unaware of the real picture, the country's Central Bank governor said. "We are not saying Sri Lanka is perfect. We have a lot of room to grow. We have a lot of challenges ahead. But actually it is not as bad as it is sometimes made out to be."

There appeared to be organized efforts to cripple Sri Lanka's economy and to weaken the state's capacity to take on counter-terrorist measures, Governor Nivard Cabraal said.

Bad Labels

"We see sometimes comments like failed state or banana republic being attached to Sri Lanka," Cabraal told reporters.

"We feel sorry that these kinds of statements are being made because there are no indicators or underlying concepts which can sustain such a position."

Some people could be unaware of the real picture and the Central Bank may also be responsible for the general ignorance because it has not educated people enough, he said.

"If you look at the real failed states, the economies that have failed, their conditions are totally different to that of Sri Lanka," Cabraal said.

"You have seen the various i