- Stresses importance of democracy, coexistence and rejecting divisive politics to foster national harmony
- Calls for efforts to restore its dignity and regain public confidence
- Reaffirms commitment to tackling corruption, ensuring accountability and serving with integrity
- Outlines plans to make Parliament more transparent, accessible, leveraging technology and public engagement
- Highlights need for responsive public sector to implement ambitious reforms; address dissatisfaction among citizens and public servants alike
- Assures restoring public trust in rule of law, pledging to hold all individuals accountable
- Underscores severe economic challenges, Govt.’s cautious approach to stabilising economy, adhering to IMF parameters
- Expresses optimism of Staff Agreement on IMF Third Review to be reached by Saturday marking a crucial step in the country’s economic recovery.
- Announces progress in debt restructuring, with agreements on bilateral and commercial debt expected by year-end
- Unveils new economic strategy focused on rapid growth, inclusivity, and equitable wealth distribution.
- Aims short-term growth via tourism targeting 4 m visitors and $ 8 b earnings, expanding IT professionals to 200,000 and boosting export income to $ 5 b, along with maritime trade and agriculture
- Plans to revive agriculture through innovation, subsidies, and support for the fisheries sector
- Announces Interim Budget to be presented in December, with comprehensive 2025 Budget in February
- Focuses on diplomatic services overhaul to strengthen international relations, support local industries globally
- Stresses importance of SMEs and aligning their growth with national development goals
- Introduces “Cleaning Sri Lanka” program to transform environmental attitudes, improve public sanitation, foster good citizenship
In a call for bipartisan cooperation, President Anura Kumara Dissan-ayake yesterday urged Parliament to rally behind a shared mission of driving the nation’s economic and social transformation.
Delivering the Government’s policy statement at the inaugural session of the 10th Parliament, Dissanayake emphasised the collective responsibility of building a better future for the country, appealing for support across political divides.
Acknowledging past divisions shaped by regional, ethnic, and religious lines, the President stressed the importance of democracy as a system that thrives on diverse ideologies.
“Democracy is not about uniting all people under a single party or ideology. It is about coexistence,” he said, reaffirming his Government’s commitment to represent and serve all citizens, including those who did not vote for them.
The President highlighted the unity displayed during the elections as a powerful step toward national harmony.
However, he firmly rejected the resurgence of divisive politics, vowing, “We will not allow nationalist or religious rhetoric to gain political power. This nation has suffered enough from ethnic conflicts.”
Reflecting on his 24 years in Parliament, the President lamented its gradual decline in public trust and respect. He noted how the institution has become synonymous with disillusionment, calling for a collective effort to restore its dignity and relevance.
“The primary mission of this Parliament must be to uphold the people’s sovereignty, regain their trust, and re-establish itself as a body that truly represents them,” Dissanayake stated.
The President also underscored the public’s mandate for a political culture free of corruption. “This mandate reflects the people’s aspiration to transform the corrupt political culture that has taken root over many years,” he said.
Disanayake pledged that his Government would prioritise accountability and serve the people with integrity.
Noting that the 10th Parliament consists of a significant number of new members, he said this offers an opportunity to instil good practices swiftly and effectively.
He also expressed hope to further open up the Parliament for the public. “This Parliament will no longer remain a hidden chamber concealed from the public. Today, Parliament operates in alignment with advancements in modern technology and media, making every daily occurrence open to the public. It will no longer serve as a secretive or inaccessible centre shielded from public scrutiny. Instead, we are striving to transform this Parliament into a transparent and accessible institution for all citizens,” he pointed out.
The President also highlighted that the Government firmly believes that progress cannot be made without a functional and responsive public sector. “Globally, the success of major transformations is often driven by a strong public service capable of implementing ambitious political goals. The focus remains on rebuilding a competent, people-centric State service that prioritises the well-being of citizens, with the full support of public servants themselves, ensuring the success of this critical reform,” he said, recalling that an unprecedented number of public servants cast their votes in support of the new Government.
The President opined that many within the State service express frustration and a sense of unfulfillment in their professional roles similar to the people’s dissatisfaction with the public services. “This has led to a dual challenge: an unhappy public and a discontented public sector workforce. The Government’s responsibility now lies in creating a State service that meets the needs of both citizens and the public servants themselves,” he added.
The President also stressed the critical importance of restoring public trust in the rule of law, stressing that enacting laws alone is insufficient without effective implementation.
The public’s confidence in the legal system has been eroded, and the President called for a collective effort to rebuild this trust.
He asserted that no individual, politician, or authority should be above the law and vowed to address controversial crimes, ensuring perpetrators are held accountable. This commitment, he said, is essential to establishing a just and prosperous state.
The President also acknowledged the severe economic challenges facing Sri Lanka, which has been caught in a deep recession.
“This economy cannot withstand drastic shocks and immediately upon taking power, our focus turned to ensuring economic stability and reaffirming trust with the relevant economic stakeholders. We understood that even the smallest error could have significant repercussions due to the scale of the crisis. Any disruption would only further harm the already delicate economic system,” he said, adding that the economic crisis has left the country with no room for mistakes.
Therefore, Dissanayake insisted the lawmakers that everyone must carefully consider every aspect, thoughtfully analyse all factors, engage in dialogue, and make well-informed decisions.
He also outlined the Government’s cautious approach to stabilising the economy, noting the importance of adhering to the parameters set with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
While the IMF’s third review had been delayed due to the elections, the President expressed optimism that an agreement would be reached by Saturday (23), marking a crucial step in the country’s economic recovery.
Dissanayake also disclosed that the country is making crucial strides in its debt restructuring program with the IMF aiming to conclude the process by the end of the year.
“The Government has reached a common understanding on bilateral debt and is preparing to formalise agreements with individual countries. Preliminary agreements have also been made regarding international sovereign bonds and commercial market debt, with completion expected by December,” he added.
The President highlighted that the ongoing debt restructuring discussions, which had been in progress for nearly two years, are now in their final stages. Despite challenges, he emphasised that debating the merits of the restructuring plan is no longer productive, as it is essential for moving the economy forward.
As the IMF’s restructuring framework is seen as key to managing the financial crisis, the President acknowledged that it is not enough to address the deep-rooted economic issues facing the nation. “To overcome this, the Government plans to adopt a new economic strategy to rebuild and strengthen the country’s economic structure,” he noted.
The President outlined that Sri Lanka’s new economic strategy is based on three core principles aimed at revitalising the country’s economy. The first pillar includes rapid growth and expansion in the production of goods and services, with an emphasis on broadening this growth beyond the Western Province to other regions. The second focus is on making the economy inclusive. The Government stresses that economic success cannot be achieved if people are excluded from participating. Instead, every citizen should play an active role in the economy to ensure the benefits reach all. Finally, the strategy emphasises fair distribution of wealth. The Government warns against the concentration of national wealth in the hands of a few, as this can lead to instability. Instead, it advocates for equitable distribution, ensuring that the wealth generated from the country’s natural resources benefits all citizens, promoting social and economic stability.
Dissanayake said the Government has identified several key areas for short-term growth aimed at revitalising the economy. These include tourism, IT, maritime and agriculture.
The tourism sector, he said is a top priority, with plans to attract 4 million tourists and generate an $ 8 billion industry within the next 3-4 years, a significant increase from the 2.3 million visitors and $ 4.3 billion recorded in the benchmark year of 2018.
The President identified IT sector also holds strong growth potential. “Currently, there are 85,000 IT professionals, with plans to increase this number to 200,000 over the next five years. The goal is to raise IT export income from $ 1.2 billion to $ 5 billion by enhancing education and skills in the sector,” he pointed out.
Leveraging Sri Lanka’s strategic location, Dissanayake said the Government aims to transform the country into a global maritime and trade hub, enhancing the efficiency of the Port of Colombo and tapping into the full economic potential of its geographic advantage.
In addition, he outlined that the agricultural sector is another area of focus. “Despite significant investments in irrigation and research, farmers remain burdened by debt. The Government plans to revive agriculture through innovation, including seed research and extension services, and increase subsidies for fertilisers to support the industry’s growth, he said, adding the fisheries industry, with vast untapped resources in Sri Lanka’s seas.
“The sector is set to receive a boost with a fuel subsidy to get more boats back into operation, signalling a positive economic shift,” he opined.
President Dissanayake also announced that a comprehensive Budget will not be immediately presented, citing that an Interim Budget is set to be submitted by early December to allocate funds for the next four months.
He said a comprehensive Budget proposal is expected by early February, with the goal of securing parliamentary approval by mid-March. “This upcoming Budget will serve as the practical foundation for implementing the nation’s vision, with its structure aligned to the strategies discussed,” he said.
Moreover, the President disclosed plans to overhaul its diplomatic services, with a renewed focus on not only strengthening international relations but also supporting local industries in accessing global markets. “The country’s diplomatic missions will be realigned to better serve this dual purpose,” he added.
In addition, he said the Government aims to expand the construction industry’s reach beyond Sri Lanka, recognising the sector’s technical expertise and resources as key assets for international growth.
He also stated that Sri Lanka’s unique indigenous products will also be targeted for global markets by adding value and establishing a modern industrial framework.
Dissanayake also acknowledged the importance of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) and stressed that their growth should align with national development goals. “To support this, clear plans have been devised to foster the sector’s expansion and integrate it into the country’s broader economic vision,” he stated.
The President also announced plans to launch the “Cleaning Sri Lanka” program — a major initiative aimed at transforming the country’s environment and societal attitudes. He said a Presidential task force will lead the effort, which goes beyond environmental issues to focus on fostering good citizenship, positive behaviour, and responsible actions among citizens.
“The program aims to change perceptions about public property and social responsibility, emphasising the need for accountability and respect for resources and one another. The initiative also addresses essential issues such as access to clean sanitation facilities, particularly for women in rural areas, and seeks to improve societal attitudes toward shared public spaces. The Government aspires to create a more humane and empathetic society, one marked by kindness, tolerance, and understanding,” he explained.
In addition to societal transformation, Dissanayake said the Government is committed to eradicating poverty, with plans to increase welfare allowances, support schoolchildren from disadvantaged families, and raise pensions and public sector wages in the upcoming budget. “These efforts aim to ensure that every citizen has access to a fair meal, quality education, a decent home, and stable income opportunities,” he added.
Ending his speech on a note of hope, the President asserted the shared responsibility of ensuring a better future for Sri Lanka’s next generations. “Our foremost responsibility is to prevent the repetition of past tragedies and to create a nation where suffering is replaced by unity and progress,” he affirmed.
Courtesy of Daily FT