April 13, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has reaffirmed her administration’s focus on reshaping Sri Lanka’s future by revitalising rural economies, tackling corruption, and laying the groundwork for sustained development through inclusive governance and people-centred policies.
Speaking at a public event in Nanattan, Mannar, the Prime Minister said the government was in the process of launching new development projects across the island, particularly in underdeveloped regions, with the aim of ensuring wider community participation in national economic progress.
The event was attended by Members of Parliament, local representatives, and aspiring councillors under the banner of the National People’s Power (NPP).
Reflecting on the recent political transition, Dr Amarasuriya described the current administration as a watershed in Sri Lankan politics. She credited the diverse electorate for rising above longstanding ethnic and religious divisions to reject political corruption and inefficiency, ultimately paving the way for Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s election as President in 2024.
She noted that, within a month of his victory, a new Parliament was formed with a 159-member majority, which she described as a “single-party government that represents every community and every region of the country.”
Dr Amarasuriya said that the NPP’s rise to power was rooted in the people’s desire for change after decades of mismanagement and political opportunism. She pointed to the previous government’s economic failures—highlighting the collapse of the tourism industry, a deepening debt crisis, and the international classification of Sri Lanka as a bankrupt state—as examples of the scale of the challenge the current administration had inherited.
However, the Prime Minister struck an optimistic tone about recent developments, noting that the country had begun to shed its crisis-ridden image.
“We have succeeded in removing the stain of bankruptcy and regaining international confidence. Investment is returning, and there is clear progress in economic stabilisation,” she said.
She emphasised the importance of channelling investments into rural areas to ensure that economic recovery is broadly shared. Infrastructure development and targeted social support were identified as the dual pillars of the government’s first budget.
Notably, programmes such as the extended Aswesuma welfare payments and schoolbook voucher schemes for smaller schools were cited as early examples of the government’s commitment to social protection.
The Prime Minister also addressed broader structural reforms, stating that her government had significantly reduced the size of the Cabinet to cut unnecessary expenditure and curtail waste.
“This government is no longer a burden on the people,” she said. “Public funds are being used more responsibly. Corruption is being tackled, and efficiency is being prioritised.”
In her remarks, Dr Amarasuriya advocated for a data-driven, depoliticised public service that functions independently and serves the public interest. She underscored the need for civil servants to operate in an environment free from political interference, enabling them to act fairly and professionally in delivering services.
Turning her attention to local governance, the Prime Minister acknowledged that while funding had been earmarked for rural development, the proper utilisation of such resources required a functioning and accountable local administration.
She warned that corrupt local officials could derail even the best-intentioned programmes, underlining the critical nature of the forthcoming local government elections.
“We need honest leadership at the grassroots level to translate our national vision into real improvements in people’s lives. That’s why these elections are so important. Only with clean, community-focused leadership can we ensure that public funds truly benefit the people they are meant for,” she concluded.
The Prime Minister’s speech was warmly received by the crowd, which included MPs Jegadeeswaran and S. Thilakanadan, alongside NPP candidates and community leaders.
The event marked another step in the government’s continued outreach to rural constituencies, underscoring its pledge to reshape governance and bring tangible improvements to everyday lives.
