January 01, Colombo (LNW): As Sri Lanka steps into the year 2025, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed a hopeful and positive outlook for the country’s future.
Speaking at a special New Year address, he declared that the nation was entering a new chapter of opportunity, where the long-awaited dreams of prosperity and progress were on the verge of being realised.
Reflecting on the milestones of 2024, President Dissanayake was quick to highlight the success of the parliamentary elections, which he saw as a turning point for the country.
“The elections of 2024 have granted us a resounding mandate from citizens across all corners of the nation—North, East, West, and South,” he remarked. “With this overwhelming support, we have not only formed a government with a commanding majority but have also laid the foundation for a profound political transformation, ensuring that the will of the people is truly honoured.”
The President went on to stress the importance of this mandate in facilitating the creation of a new political landscape, one that would foster transparency, accountability, and effective governance.
“This is a clear signal from the people of Sri Lanka that they want a government that works for their welfare and a political environment that is free of corruption and inefficiency,” he added.
Looking forward to the year ahead, the President set out a vision for national development, focusing on key areas he believes are crucial to the country’s success.
Amongst his top priorities was the eradication of rural poverty, which he identified as a major challenge that requires immediate attention.
He further underscored the significance of the government’s “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, which was launched in tandem with the arrival of the New Year.
“This programme, which encompasses a wide array of social, environmental, and ethical reforms, aims to rejuvenate Sri Lanka and propel it to new heights of dignity and prosperity,” President Dissanayake explained. “By prioritising cleanliness in both our physical and moral landscapes, we are laying the groundwork for a more harmonious society that can grow sustainably in the decades to come.”
Equally important to the President’s vision for 2025 is the country’s digital transformation. In today’s increasingly technology-driven world, he highlighted the need for Sri Lanka to build a robust digital economy, capable of creating new opportunities for innovation, employment, and global competitiveness.
“A thriving digital economy will not only create jobs but will also help lift Sri Lanka into the modern age, making it a key player in the global digital landscape,” he said.
Full Statement:
“As Sri Lankans, we step into 2025 with the dawn of a new era, a time when the dreams of prosperity that our nation and its people have long cherished begin to materialize.
The parliamentary elections of 2024 enabled us to establish a government with a strong majority, earning the trust of people across the North, East, West, and South. With this mandate, we have initiated a transformative political shift, fulfilling our democratic responsibilities to build the good governance our citizens aspire to.
Our primary developmental goals include eradicating rural poverty, implementing the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, and building a digital economy. The “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, launched alongside the New Year, aims to uplift society to greater heights through social, environmental, and ethical revival.
In 2024, we achieved significant economic stability as a nation. With this progress as our foundation, we move forward in 2025 with renewed vision and determination, working towards creating a prosperous nation and ensuring a beautiful life for everyone. I firmly believe this moment marks an exceptional opportunity to inspire new ideals and foster greater unity for the benefit of all.
For the first time in Sri Lanka’s history since independence, we now have the chance to make the dream of a united and developed nation a reality through people-centered governance.
This unparalleled responsibility rests upon all of us, and we fully understand its importance. In 2025, with courage and unwavering commitment, we will strive to regain the victories missed in the past century and bring these dreams to fruition.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year filled with prosperity, unity, and renewed hope as we strive for peace and progress together.”
