Sri Lanka, May 31 -- Covid-19 induced economic slowdown will be a short-lived scenario as the third and fourth quarter will record a growth between 2.5 to 3 percent providing some impetus to the economy to take off next year, said Secretary to the Treasury, S.R. Attygalle, responding to remarks made by United National Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe who urged the Government last week to expose the real state of the economy and how it plans to service the burgeoning external debt.

"We are optimistic that the third and final quarters will show positive growth backed by a revival in agriculture and industrial activities, the key pillars of the economy," Attygalle said.

The weather is turning out to be favourable for all agricultural acti...