Sri Lanka, March 21 -- Finance State Minister Dr. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said the GDP growth rate of -12.4% in the last quarter of 2022 has increased to 4.5% in the last quarter of 2023. The Minister also mentioned that paddy cultivation has increased by 20% due to the rise in external inputs, including fertilizers, indicating an improvement in the country's agriculture during that quarter.

The State Minister highlighted that the latest census statistics confirm steady economic growth.

The minister pointed out these facts, citing figures regarding the production for the fourth quarter of 2023.

Commenting further on this, the minister said:"In 2022, the agriculture sector, which experienced a growth rate of -4.6%, is expected to show a...