State Minister Nishantha wildly off the mark on past GDP growth rankings of Sri Lanka and China

Fact Check

To check this claim, FactCheck.lk consulted World Bank national accounts data on GDP growth. FactCheck.lk evaluated the claim with respect to two criteria: a) GDP growth in 2014 and b) the five-year average growth from 2010 to 2014. 

World Bank data shows that Sri Lanka’s growth rate was 4.96% in 2014 and 6.78% on average from 2010 to 2014. China’s growth rate was 7.43% in 2014 and 8.65% on average from 2010 to 2014. 

Sri Lanka did not rank second in economic growth rate in the world under either of the criteria. In fact, its rank was 56 in 2014. That year Sri Lanka was behind 55 countries, including several Asian countries such as India (7.41%), Bangladesh (6.06%), Nepal (6.01%) and Malaysia (6.01%). Even on the 2010 to 2014 average, Sri Lanka’s growth rate was less than that of 25 countries, including Myanmar (7.80%), Cambodia (6.97%) and Singapore (6.82%). 

China also did not rank first in economic growth rate in the world under either of the criteria. In 2014, China’s growth was exceeded by over ten countries. Even on the 2010 to 2014 average, China’s growth rate was exceeded by seven countries. 

The state minister is wildly off the mark on both Sri Lanka and China’s rank in the world, as well in Sri Lanka’s rank relative to China, on GDP growth rate prior to the term of the Yahapaalanaya government. Therefore, we classify his statement as BLATANTLY FALSE. 

*FactCheck.lk’s verdict is based on the most recent information that is publicly accessible. As with every fact check, if new information becomes available, FactCheck.lk will revisit the assessment.