Sri Lanka, March 31 -- President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that billions of public money has been wasted on Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and SriLankan Airlines.

He said, "We must remember that one of the biggest issues that held back our growth is the ethnic issue.

"We have to think as Sri Lankans. We cannot divorce that issue from the economic issues. There are two E's as far as I can see. And we have to address both those issues. I am not dealing with that issue now". Sri Lanka has a final opportunity to progress and it is imperative for everyone to collaborate in creating a prosperous community for future generations, without resorting to finger-pointing, emphasized the President.

President ...