By: Isuru Parakrama
November 21, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s tenth Parliament opened today (21) with the ceremonial delivery of the Government’s Policy Statement by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who presided over the proceedings in the Speaker’s Chair.
The address, which took place shortly after the election of the Speaker and other formalities, outlined the new government’s vision for the future and its commitment to driving change in both political and economic spheres.
In his speech, the President boldly called for the end of a long-standing political culture in Sri Lanka that has been heavily shaped by divisions based on race, ethnicity, and nationality.
Acknowledging the historic challenges that the country has faced due to this divisive politics, the President highlighted that the new government would prioritise unity, equality, and the fair treatment of all citizens, regardless of their background.
The President emphasised that it was time to move away from the entrenched political structures that have often pitted different ethnic and religious communities against each other. Instead, he called for the fostering of a more inclusive political environment, one that transcends communal lines and focuses on shared national interests.
This shift, he suggested, would help Sri Lanka build a more harmonious society and strengthen the country’s democratic foundations. He asserted that the government will not tolerate all sorts of extremist activities, let alone religious and racist agendas.
Dissanayake assured that all people are equal before law, and law enforcement, therefore, will be implemented on controversial and unresolved crimes happened across the history without letting them to be buried in the sands of time, bringing the responsible parties to justice and thereby restoring the public’s faith in the rule of law.
The key thrust of the President’s address was his commitment to reforming Sri Lanka’s economic system. He outlined an ambitious plan to overhaul the nation’s economy, which, according to the President, has long favoured a small group rather than benefiting the majority of the population.
This inequality, he noted, had led to widespread disillusionment amongst the public and hindered sustainable development.
In terms of social policy, President Dissanayake outlined his vision for a fairer education system, one that would ensure equal access to quality education for all students, regardless of their social or economic status.
Additionally, he highlighted the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services and creating a social safety net to protect the most vulnerable populations. The President vowed in restoring trust in the public service, which has long been tarnished due to chronic corruption.
In place of the old economic order, President Dissanayake proposed a new economic framework that would ensure prosperity for all Sri Lankans. The government’s policy, he stated, would focus on inclusive growth, with particular attention given to the welfare of rural populations, the agricultural sector, and small and medium enterprises.
He outlined plans for extensive job creation, particularly in sectors that have historically been overlooked by previous governments, such as manufacturing, technology, and renewable energy.
The President also reiterated his government’s commitment to addressing Sri Lanka’s pressing financial challenges, including managing public debt and improving fiscal management.
Dissanayake acknowledged that the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) provided by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under which the country’s debt restructuring process is currently being undertaken will continue, and renegotiation will follow.
He pointed out that a staff-level agreement will reach between the two parties ahead of the third review by December, 2024.
The President underscored that the new government would take a more transparent and accountable approach to public spending, ensuring that national resources were directed towards projects that would benefit all sectors of society, rather than being concentrated in the hands of a privileged few.
He added that a vote on account will be presented in December, 2024, aiming the 2025 Budget proposal pending Parliament approval in February, 2025, in what he described as a reflection of the practicality of the government’s policy statement, and emphasised that the government expects that the new Budget will be approved in March, 2025.
