This flexibility is necessary in a world of elevated risks and uncertainties as well as rapid changes. Similarly, we strongly believe that the government would continue its fiscal consolidation measures, which will support us to pursue our policies towards macroeconomic stability. In particular, this will be a necessary condition for us to successfully adopt FIT as the monetary policy framework as planned. 32  Before concluding my speech, I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to a number of individuals who constantly contribute and support our efforts to carry out our functions of the Central Bank effectively. First and foremost, I am grateful to His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena, and Honourable Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for their guidance and leadership. I would also like to thank Honourable Minister of Finance and Mass Media Mangala Samaraweera for his support, especially in making every effort to ensure close coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank. I highly appreciate the ample support and prudent inputs from the Members of the Monetary Board of the Central Bank. My sincere gratitude goes to Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. R H S Samaratunga, Mrs. Manohari Ramanathan, Mr. Chrisantha Perera and Mr. Nihal Fonseka for the constant interaction and deliberations at the Monetary Board. I am also grateful to Senior Deputy Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and Deputy Governors, Mr. K D Ranasinghe and Mr. C J P Siriwardena for their enormous support and for their highly professional advice and recommendations.
At the beginning of the year 2017, our country faced several challenges and uncertainties. Nevertheless, supported by the proactive stabilisation policy measures adopted by the Central Bank and the government, we have moved steadily towards achieving overall stability of the economy. But we do not want to be complacent with the achievements so far, and we acknowledge that several challenges continue to weigh down on the overall macroeconomic performance of the country. Therefore, we need to work hard in order to restore the stability of the economy on a permanent basis in order to create an enabling environment to raise the living standards of our people, and we believe that the policies outlined in the Road Map will help us in this endeavour. In the meantime, we require broad based reforms and commitment to enhance the country’s growth potential if we are to become an enriched nation as envisaged in the government’s vision. As the agent for macroeconomic stability, the Central Bank will always work hand in hand with the government to enhance economic growth through maintaining low and stable inflation and ensuring financial system stability. We believe that our future policy directions and actions set out in the Road Map will serve as guidance for you to plan ahead and to formulate and align your actions in line with broad policies of the economy. We would also like to note that we will be prepared to introduce new policies and measures not in the Road Map, as warranted by dynamic macroeconomic conditions and market developments.