Five-year plan
At a time when the economy of the country had gone to rack and ruin with no hope for the future, no political party or leader came forward to take the challenge of rebuilding the country. They thought it was impossible. But I accepted the challenge.
You know this story so well. You also know this very sad story; people suffered in queues all day, waiting for fuel, gas, medicine and essential items. But today, that country has started breathing. Finally, things are getting better.
Yes, there are still difficulties, little hitches, little concerns. But, we can overcome them. To do that, we must make the economy stronger and more stable. We have come so far on this precarious rope bridge, now we cannot turn back!
Some say that things feel better now because we do not have to pay back the loans. It’s not true. We did pay back the loans, approximately Rs. 2.5 Billion in 2022, and Rs. 2.6 Billion in 2023. The journey we have undertaken through hardships and obstacles has so far been a tremendous path of success. And I intend to complete this journey – with you!
I was just a UNP MP in the Parliament. Just one man. Eventually, they set fire to my house as well. The entire country was in flames. Nobody believed it was possible to build a peaceful and prosperous country again, a country where people could be free and happy. A by-gone dream. But I rose from ashes. I took the challenge because I have always loved my motherland, I always believed that this country could do better. It was my time to prove it.
So today, when I see people in my country smiling again, somehow having three meals a day, when I see vehicles back on the roads, and Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Thai Pongal, Ramazan, and Christmas being celebrated, dansalas being initiated everywhere once again during Vesak, I feel a sincere pride. I have achieved the impossible!
The politicians who fled and hid during the crisis have now come out of their dens and are criticising me. I found Rs. 10 Billion to hold the Presidential Elections in this country again. It is with much compassion I gaze at them.
Of course, I took over a bankrupt country. But we are gradually gaining speed. We have restructured our debt and we are recovering rhythmically. In 2019, when I left the post of Prime Minister our Gross National Product (GNP) was US$ 89 Billion. But in 2022, when I took over the country as President, it was USD 76.9 Billion. Our GNP has dropped by US$ 12.1 Billion! However, by the end of 2023, we could increase it to US$ 84.4 Billion even amidst a crisis! That is what I call possibility. If we continue to tread this path, we can reach US$ 89 Billion by the end of2025.
I did all this with just one seat in the Parliament. But I garnered the support of many parties to pass relevant Acts in the Parliament and made plans which are critical for development. All of you, despite your political preferences, extended me your full support. That is why I am contesting this Presidential Election as an independent candidate.
I do not represent a party or a group of people. I stand for all of you who have varied political views. My service is not only for you who are from the previous and the new generation, but also for those children who are yet to be born, the future generation.
– Ranil Wickremesinghe
The manifesto of President Ranil Wickremesinghe; running as an independent candidate at the upcoming Presidential Election; titled “Five Triumphant Years for Sri Lanka with Ranil” was unveiled on Thursday (August 29).
In his policy statement, President Wickremesinghe outlined the priorities of the five-year plan: easing the cost of living, creating jobs, providing tax relief, promoting economic growth and implementing programs to ensure that every citizen has the right to land and a home.
The manifesto “Five Triumphant Years for Sri Lanka with Ranil” comprising five core principles: “The Theravada Trade Economy, Operation-Beyond 2025, Towards a Prosperous Nation, A Win for the Motherland, and A United Sri Lanka,” was first presented to religious leaders, led by the Maha Sangha and then to the country’s youth by President Wickremesinghe. The President also launched the website www.ranil2024.lk, which features his manifesto “Five Triumphant Years for Sri Lanka with Ranil” as an independent candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election.
The Theravada Trade Economy will ensure an adequate standard of living for all the citizens. We will be able to create a highly competitive, export-oriented digital green economy through this journey, and we will be able to achieve all our economic goals by 2048. We have already passed and implemented the primary laws aiming for necessary transformation towards such a development stage.
A separate authority will be established to ensure systematic and expeditious delivery of rights to citizens. This will ensure land ownership to 2 million people through the Urumaya program and the transfer of low-income housing owned by the Government in Colombo city to the residents within 4 years. Loans will be granted at concessional rates to middle-class families for the construction of houses. Low-income families shall be given the opportunity to own their houses in condominiums. New villages will be established for the plantation workers and those living in line rooms will be granted the right to own a plot of land.
Significant Trade Union representation will be allowed in the Board membership of the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees Trust Fund (ETF). Representatives from the Chamber of Commerce will also be included to ensure better financial administration.
The National Wealth Fund will be formed by combining the budget surplus and the profits of Government institutions. This fund will be invested in local and international stock markets.
We have been given a foremost place in the World Climate Change Program due to our commitment to addressing climate change. We have launched a number of initiatives in this regard such as the Climate Justice Forum, the Climate Prosperity Plan and the International Climate Change University.
We are a principal stakeholder of the Global Financing Pact entered into by the countries of the Global North and the Global South under the patronage of France, in order to address the global climate changes. We have also joined the Global Blended Financial Alliance initiated by Indonesia focusing on the countries in the Global South. We have launched a Tropical Region Collaboration program at present with the aim of ensuring environmental safety in the tropical region.
Farmers will be provided with seeds, fertiliser and modern machinery required for modern agricultural methods. A supply chain where agro-products will be directly purchased from the farmers will be created. Establishment of a chain of storages across the island in order to uplift the rural agriculture industry is also in the works. Home garden cultivations and subsistence crop cultivations in urban apartments will be highly encouraged.
Three hundred thousand acres of land will be allocated out of the underutilised State Land for commercial crop cultivation. Proper instructions and assistance will be provided to Urumaya freehold deed recipient farmers to expand and improve their cultivations. We will encourage them to use those lands for productive crop cultivation and other agro-enterprises. An amount of Rs. 25,000 will be directly credited to the accounts of farmers for the purchase of fertiliser and other requirements needed for paddy cultivation. A fixed-rate will be declared for the selling price of paddy from season to season.
Although our island home is surrounded by the ocean, even less than 40 percent of the boats we own at present are utilised for fishing. It is planned to implement a plan to reap maximum benefits from the ocean with the patronage of the local and foreign experts. This is expected to double the income of US$ 300 million we currently earn via fisheries products exportation. The freshwater fishery industry, prawn cultivation, aquatic plants, and ornamental fish industry are expected to be promoted and expanded.
Economic centres
The fishery harbours across the island will be developed and upgraded to Fishery Economic Centres. Fishing societies, fishermen, investors and experts will be linked to these centres in order to yield the best out of the economic centres.
A program to raise the dairy harvest by connecting the National Livestock Development Board with Indian authorities related to the dairy industry is already in progress. This would positively impact the local dairy industry in the aspects of technology and investment.
The infrastructure required to provide a better experience for the tourists will be upgraded and the tourist arrivals which are 2.5 million will be increased to 5 million within the forthcoming five years. The gross income received to the country from one tourist is currently US$ 150, and it will be increased up to US$ 500 by the year 2035. The cities Colombo, Galle, Kandy and Trincomalee will be developed as the main tourist hubs.
We will also provide facilities to convert the Eastern coast and Jaffna to high-end tourist destinations. Steps will be taken to further increase the demand for the Southern coastal area. The tourist industry will be expanded to the hill country with better activities and attractions for tourists.
A new Economic Commission will be established for investment promotion and an Office for Internal Trade will be set up to oversee all aspects related to international trade. Trincomalee is expected to be the Primary Economic Hub which will be equipped with a harbour, efficient transport, industrial facilities, energy generation possibilities and also naval and aviation strength. The Government of India has pledged to assist us in this matter.
Investments in renewable energy production including green hydrogen will be highly encouraged. It is targeted to obtain 70 percent of the power supply network from renewable energy sources which amounts to 2000 Megawatts by 2030. Sri Lanka will thus be transferred to a Green Energy Hub and it will enable us to export energy to India and other neighbouring countries.
The latest and the most advanced trends shaping the world in future are Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation based on digital technology. AI will be the base of all disciplines in future, health to education to financial and economic sectors.
A Technology Promotion Act will be passed in the year 2025 with the aim of bringing about a digital transformation. A Digital Transformation Agency and a Technology and Innovation Council will thereon be established. Amendments have already been made to the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Act in an attempt to create the background for this purpose.
A new entity named Vocational Skills Sri Lanka (VSSL) will be established in the year 2025 amalgamating the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority and the Vocational Training Authority of Sri Lanka. All the vocational training schools and centres will be brought under its purview.
Provincial Vocational Education Boards will be established in all nine provinces before the end of 2026, and all the vocational training centres located in the provinces will be upgraded to vocational schools and brought under the established Provincial Vocational Education Boards. Technical and Vocational and Management University Colleges will be opened in all the provinces. Steps will be taken to award the related degrees upon the completion of an academic period of two years, similar to developed countries.
Steps will be taken to modernise the school infrastructure system to face the era of technology which will be dawned in 2040. Funding will be provided by the Government. A program to equip teachers with new knowledge and training will be implemented in the year 2025. School education will be revised with a focus on soft skills, life skills and moral values. The system of examinations and evaluations will be revisited enabling the students to start university education at the age of 17 years. “English for All” program which provides English education to all the school children will be implemented within the next decade. It has been planned to recruit 2500 English teachers as a short-term remedy to fill the vacancies for English teachers throughout the country; 1000 retired teachers, 400 from Teaching Colleges and 1100 graduates recruited through a competitive examination will come under the aforementioned 2500 new teachers. The graduates recruited will be given a special training for a period of 3 months before their posting.
A favourable environment will be built for doctors, nurses, other medical professionals and members of the supporting staff, to carry out their duties in a better manner. A key expectation of improving the condition of healthcare personnel is to reduce the brain drain. Local and foreign training opportunities for the medical staff headed by the doctors will be expanded.
The area from Kalutara to Negombo will be developed into one extensive megapolis. These city planning activities will be carried out in consultation with Surbana Jurong Pvt Ltd of Singapore. Galle, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Trincomalee will be transformed into megapolises enriched with all modern-day facilities.
We have made future plans for the sectors of transport and highways with the aim of providing sustainable green transport services. We will use digital technologies from issuing driving licences to driving vehicles. In order to encourage the use of electrical vehicles, we will establish charging centres around the country.
Even though the northern economy regrettably collapsed due to the decades-long war, we have already launched plans to revive the country’s economy through the Northern Province. Our aim is to strengthen the North into being a major economic stronghold which renders a greater contribution to the Western Province as well as to our economy.
Trincomalee will be transformed into one of the major economic centres equipped with all aspects such as transport, energy, industries, ports, naval, and aviation. The transformation will be supported by the Government of India. We will develop the Verigalara to Panama-Kumana coastline to utilise them optimally in the tourism industry.
A Gazette Notification is already issued increasing the wages of plantation workers. In addition to this, a number of specific measures to uplift the living standards of the plantation community will be taken in future.
None of the political leaders who have boasted about catching thieves took action or showed interest in passing the necessary laws to ensure justice. We did not waste time bragging but discussed with the IMF and adopted modern anti-corruption laws, based on global best practices to prevent bribery and corruption. We will be implementing the Anti-Corruption Agenda to make our country the least corrupt State in South Asia.
A separate commission for women’s rights will be established as per the Women Empowerment Act. We will formulate new policies to support the women suffering from poverty. The current process of liberating women from the burden of micro-finance loans and other debts will be further expanded.
We will formulate the necessary laws to ensure children’s human rights, and child rights while protecting them from abuse, delinquency and child sexual exploitation, within the year 2025.
Working from home
We have a series of plans in the works to equip the youth with the knowledge and experience required to one day lead the nation. They will be given opportunities and guidance to generate income by working from home. Training programs will be implemented in the fields of Digital Marketing, Freelancing, E-Commerce, and so on.
Informal practices and external interferences in the past have led to current weaknesses in sports administration. As a result, our athletes are facing various difficulties. New legislation will be introduced for sports to address this situation. According to the recommendations of the committee appointed on cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket will be restructured.
We will amend the National Policy for Senior Citizens in 2025. Various activities will be carried out by the Divisional Secretariats and Community Organisations to enhance the social and cultural lives of senior citizens.
We will take steps to adopt the Sign Language Bill and develop a comprehensive national policy for people with special needs. The building access policies will be revised to ensure that they meet the requirements of individuals with disabilities. We will allocate a special employment quota for such communities.
Across the country, there are small community groups that often go unnoticed and are marginalised by society. Although these groups have faced different forms of suppression and difficulties, no attention has been given to their requirements so far. We are committed to building a society where no citizen is discriminated against or disadvantaged based on religion, language, caste, gender, political opinion, or place of birth.
We will increase the salaries of public servants from the range of 24 percent to 50 percent. The lowest salary will be brought up to Rs. 30,000. The Cost of Living allowance will be increased to Rs. 25,000. Government employees below the age of 40 will be given one year’s leave with scholarships to follow courses to improve service efficiency. University of Public Policy and Administration will be established. A skills or merit-based promotion system will be introduced. Our plan includes digitalising the entire public service to make it more efficient and streamlined. To support this initiative, we are hoping to provide laptops, tablets, and smart phones at subsidised rates.
As a result of our economic policies, an increasing number of new enterprises will emerge through local and foreign investments, creating numerous employment opportunities in the future. While this may take a year or two to develop, in the meantime, one hundred thousand new employment opportunities will be provided in the year 2025.
In 2025, we will launch a new program for youth who do not get through Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations. This program, in collaboration with the private sector including tourism and manufacturing industries, will provide vocational training and a monthly allowance of Rs. 35,000 for a period of one year. Private companies could also contribute additional funds to this allowance. They will be provided employment opportunities in those companies after the training.
We are in the process of amending the Foreign Employment Bureau Act, which will introduce benefits such as housing schemes and daycare centres, to provide them with better facilities and working conditions. We will also be taking steps to enhance foreign employment opportunities. We will establish an Information Centre which will provide continuously updated data on the international job market.
A large number of people work in the informal labour market, which includes three-wheeler drivers, private bus drivers and conductors, labourers and many others. We will be introducing a contributory pension and social security system for all these workers in 2025. Standardised training will be provided to enhance the professional dignity of these roles. NVQ Level 4 certification courses for female massage therapists have already been introduced.
Many three-wheeler drivers are currently suffering due to debt. We will be providing the defaulters with an opportunity through State banks to restructure their loans. Discussions will be done to make the arrangements to extend this relief through private banks as well.
The Security (Special Provisions) Act has now been drafted to enhance the status of our Tri Forces and stabilise the security of the nation. The committee’s report on modernising security forces to meet the demands of 2030 has been received, and its recommendations will be implemented. ‘One Rank – One Pension’ system will be introduced for the Tri Forces. This will eliminate the issues related to pensions of war heroes. Opportunities will be expanded for our military personnel to serve in the UN Peacekeeping Missions.
The basic foundation of a strong criminal justice system is to create a Police Service consisting of safe, responsible, active, competent, brave and honest officials who ensure the safety of citizens. A Police University will be established to improve the institutional and extracurricular knowledge and skills of police officers. Thereby police officers will be given the opportunity to obtain degrees and post-graduate degrees while in service.
International standards
We have planned to build a number of new prisons in accordance with international standards. It is expected to equip these prisons with facilities in the aspects of health, sanitation, food, and welfare services for prisoners and prison officers. This will strengthen the process of rehabilitating prisoners and helping them reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens. The cases of long-term detainees and those serving lengthy sentences will be reviewed.
In 2025, we will draft a bill to establish a comprehensive Anti-narcotics Command Headquarters covering all functions from drug control to rehabilitation of drug addicts, and ensure that it is passed in 2025 itself.
The invaluable heritage found at the historical sites of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa should be further studied and utilised for the benefit of the country. We aim to give priority to peace and eliminate disputes that are found in the values of governance in the Eastern world. While promoting non-violence, kindness and compassion, we would also seek to be nourished by the lessons from the Western world.
We are looking forward to establishing a digital museum dedicated to Buddhist civilisation of the historic city of Kandy. Measures will be taken to utilise AI and new technologies to study the Thripitakaya. Establishing Mahavihara University is another important objective we have.
Sri Lanka now has world famous writers and it is our responsibility to facilitate and encourage their writing. We will establish an International Fine Arts and Cultural Centre near Ananda Coomarswamy Mawatha by combining the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, John De Silva Theatre, the Science Museum, Mahaweli Centre, and the New Town Hall Premises. This centre shall provide the facilities to improve the skills of the local artists, and produce art of international standard. This centre will be named the Ananda Coomaraswamy Arts and Cultural Centre. A South Asian Cultural Centre and a Museum for Modern and Contemporary Art will be established in the same premises. This task will be commenced in 2025.
Both multi-community media and modern media are needed to create a sensitive society. We will be drafting a national journalism policy and building a strong foundation to creating a society that values humanity, discipline, loyalty and integrity. We will empower and strengthen journalists and freelance writers. A higher education institute on journalism will be established in 2025. We will work towards solving the issues faced by the regional journalists. An Electronic Media Regulatory Commission will be established to generate a transparent media environment which holds values.
Two years ago, the economic crisis shattered the people’s hopes in all aspects. People lost the hope of moving forward. But now, the time has come for everyone to be united and come together to create a beautiful future for the country. The future which we will be creating will benefit all citizens equally, irrespective of ethnicity. No citizen who speaks in Tamil should be neglected by the Sinhala community, and similarly, no citizen who speaks in Sinhala should be neglected by the Tamil and Muslim communities.
We will make sure that an atmosphere where people from different ethnicities and religions could live harmoniously like relatives and friends, will be created.
We will devolve power to the Provincial Councils as per the Constitution. The powers of the Provincial Councils that come under Schedule 1, which are now vested under the Central Government will be devolved back to the Provincial Councils.
The decision of vesting police powers to Provincial Councils will be decided by the new Parliament. The powers given under Schedule 3 that are approved by the party leaders will be given to the Provincial Councils.
New Constitution
Several key reforms need to be made in order to rebuild the country to make the future stronger. I will give the Parliament the responsibility of drafting a new Constitution within a year after the forthcoming Parliamentary Election following the Presidential Election. The new Parliament will need to decide whether or not to abolish the Executive Presidency.
The new Parliament will introduce a new election procedure based on the recommendations presented by the Commission headed by the retired Chief Justice Priyasath Dep in making the election reforms.
The political parties in Europe are following systems of high standards in maintaining transparency. We will introduce new rules and regulations regarding election expenditure and other activities of political parties.
The Parliamentary Standards Act will come into force and it will contain sections enabling the removal of Parliamentary Members who strongly violate the standards given in the Act. It will enact the laws that prevent the elected representatives from doing business with the government.
One of the main methods where people’s sovereignty is exercised, is through voting, which takes place at the Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council election levels. The Peoples’ Initiative Act will further enable citizens to submit proposals to the Parliament. In this manner, citizens could be directly involved in the law and policy-making process of the country. This Act will further strengthen democracy practiced in the country.
The aim of the Jana Sabha is to have the active participation of provincial and rural communities in the decision-making process. Currently, several pilot projects are being implemented in this regard. We will establish Jana Sabhas with representatives from the 50,000 villages in the country dispersed throughout 14,002 Grama Niladhari Divisions.
