Change comes from within not from the outside. When Sri Lankans voted in a new Government with an unprecedented mandate, they aspired to see a better country with dignified lives. It entails righting the decades-long wrongs that have been normalised and institutionalised. Realising this goal requires a wider social transformation.
The ‘Clean Sri Lanka Program’ is a national initiative targeting a social, environmental and ethical awakening of the country to make that happen. Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka Program), Eng. S. P. C. Sugeeshwara, spoke to the Sunday Observer on this much-talked-about program, outlining the planned activities and expected outcomes.
Excerpts of the interview
Q: The ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project themed ‘Beautiful Island, Smiling People’ has been understood more as a project for a cleaner physical environment. What more does it seek to achieve?
A: The National People’s Power (NPP) Policy Document, ‘A Thriving Nation: A Beautiful Life’, explained the three-pronged approach to uplift the nation. The first two being alleviating poverty and digitisation, mostly focus on the economy, but that alone is not sufficient to achieve the promise of a beautiful life for the people. To reach that goal, attitudinal and behavioural changes in individuals as well as in social institutions such as families, schools and public institutions are necessary. Laws and regulations of the country should also be on par with modern requirements.
Eng. S. P. C.
Sugeeshwara
For example, even if the economy is developed, the benefits will not trickle down to the masses if corruption persists. A beautiful life will still be a distant dream. The ‘Clean Sri Lanka Program’ has been conceptualised and implemented to address this challenge through three key approaches; environmental, social and ethical.
A cleaner and more sustainable environment is one key objective of the project. This includes improving waste management, sanitary facilities and recreational facilities around the country and ensuring quality water and air. These measures, in turn, will help boost the tourism industry.
It is widely acknowledged that corruption is a deep-rooted issue in the country. Both the system and individuals have to change to improve this situation. The focus on strengthening ethical values is to cater to this long-term objective.
Q: Who is involved in designing activities under this ambitious project?
A: Launched on January 1, the project has now passed the one-month mark. The groundwork to carry the program forward with vigour and a well-structured plan has already been laid.
An 18-member Presidential Task Force headed by Secretary to the President Dr. N. S. Kumanayake, including the tri-forces commanders and the acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) among others, guides the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat in implementing the program.
The contribution of professionals, experts and public institutions related to the subject have been sought in this initiative. This program is dynamic and we are ready to consider progressive ideas coming from anybody. Day-by-day we are adding new activities.
Q: What activities have already been initiated under this program?
A: At the initial stage, we conducted awareness-raising sessions targeting public servants. We have covered most public institutions and in addition, trained approximately 200 community leaders, 200 school teachers and 300 educational officers as trainers to help disseminate the message to various communities at the grassroots level.
We hope to do similar sessions for the tri-forces personnel. The tri-forces as well as many public representatives have voluntarily stepped forward to support this initiative and we encourage others to join this collaborative effort. The success of the campaign largely depends on the public support we get. We have also launched a media campaign to ensure that the message is effectively communicated to the public.
Q: Have you thought of involving schoolchildren in the program?
A: The activities planned under this project include awareness-raising sessions for schoolchildren in 1,000 selected schools. These sessions will start next week and continue till March in collaboration with the Education Ministry. They are to be carried out without disturbing the school curriculum.
Educating children and shaping their attitudes have far-reaching effects, influencing their families and ultimately, society at large as they grow into adulthood. Moreover, we plan to improve the school environment and facilities in another 1,000 selected schools with a particular focus on those lacking adequate infrastructure.
Q: What activities are in the pipeline under this program?
A: Today (February 9) we are launching a new initiative under the Clean Sri Lanka Program to keep the coastal belt of the country clean and attractive. This effort goes beyond a simple a coastal clean-up campaign, as it comes with a long-term plan for the sustainable maintenance of beaches. As part of it, beach care-takers will be appointed by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and they will be paid a monthly allowance with the support of local entrepreneurs. In some areas, we plan to set up beach parks. Beautiful beaches have always been a major attraction for tourists and this initiative aims to enhance their appeal.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya will join in the launch of this activity at the Crow Island Beach Park in Mattakkuliya. The campaign will begin along the Western and Southern coastal belt on Sunday, followed by the Eastern coast on February 16 and the North Western and Northern beaches on February 23. We have scheduled these activities on Sundays to encourage public participation in this collective effort.
Private sector organisations, hoteliers, the fisheries community, the tri-forces, local Government authorities, public sector institutions and community organisations have also joined hands in this activity. Looking ahead, we also plan to clean rivers and other water bodies as part of the program.
Q: How do you ensure that the funds are transparent?
A: In addition to allocations from the National Budget, this program receives funds from various sources, and we are accountable for every rupee spent.
The money provided by the Treasury is utilised adhering to existing financial rules and regulations, ensuring full transparency. We have also set up the Clean Sri Lanka Fund for fund raising, allowing well wishers, local and foreign to contribute to this meaningful cause. The Clean Sri Lanka website shows the current balance of the Fund.
We are yet to spend from the Fund and once we do, all related information will be published on the same website. At the same time, some private organisations have expressed their willingness to support the initiative spending their own money. Such organisations are encouraged to send in their proposals, which we will evaluate based on their alignment with the project’s goals before establishing partnerships.
Q: Will new rules and regulations be formulated with regard to the project?
A: Yes, in the long-term, new rules and regulations will be introduced to successfully achieve the goals of this program. However, such revisions require a thorough study and careful consideration, so it may take time. Professionals in the relevant sectors, as well as the public will be consulted during the drafting process.
We all know that some laws and regulations in the country are outdated and do not align with current realities. In many cases, these outdated laws have also slowed down administrative processes.
For instance, Sri Lanka needs an e-procurement system similar to those used in many other countries. Implementing such a system will help make public procurement more efficient and transparent.
Such matters will be addressed by the plans to digitise the country and the Clean Sri Lanka Program supports in that direction.
