President Maithripala Sirisena has directed the National Economic Council, chaired by him, to conduct a one-day workshop for all government MPs, ministry secretaries and treasury officials on the joint economic programme of the government. 

The joint economic programme, the President's Media Unit said, would combine the rural development programme of the government and other economic development programmes. 

It said the plan had been approved by the NEC. 

The workshop is aimed at creating awareness among members of the state machinery and obtaining their feedback. 

The NEC met yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena.