report in The Daily FT, Dec 27, 2023
The dominant Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has listed 10 conditions or goals for aspirants of Presidency under its mandate.
Sources said the conditions have been listed by the SLPP hierarchy. So far only business leader-turned national list Parliamentarian Dhammika Perera has been speculated as the SLPP’s candidate for the next Presidential election. However, SLPP General Secretary went public last week saying the party is considering a few other potential candidates.
It is learnt the SLPP hierarchy led by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will decide on the party’s final candidate based on the plans to successfully deliver on the 10 pre-conditions. Among them are acumen to forge political alliances and voter support to secure the majority at the polls; strategy to reduce VAT and alternate measures to boost Government revenue, achieve 7% economic growth and improve good governance. Following are the 10 conditions:
- Strategic alliance development
Candidates must articulate a comprehensive program for building alliances with political parties, groups, and civil organisations, aiming to secure a 51% vote base at the Presidential election.
- International-level education
A proposed initiative should outline plans for providing globally competitive education to Sri Lankan students. Emphasis must be placed on elevating vocational training and skill development to international standards, facilitating global employability.
- Smart agriculture initiative
Candidates are expected to present a program focused on transforming Agriculture into a smart and efficient sector. This includes increasing fertiliser subsidies for farmers, introducing new hybrid seeds, and implementing a fertiliser recommendation system based on “soil health cards.”
- *Poverty alleviation and job creation
Develop a program to eradicate poverty in rural and urban areas, emphasising the growth of small and medium-scale businesses. Proposals should indicate strategies for injecting funds into these areas, aiming to create one million jobs and ensuring a stable income for all citizens.
- Economic growth and investment attraction
Candidates should prepare and present a program to boost economic growth to 7% and expand the economy. This involves creating career opportunities through attracting local and foreign investments.
- Cost of living reduction
Propose measures to reduce the price of goods and the cost of living, including a review and reduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT) to alleviate financial burdens on the public.
- Government businesses and transparency
State-owned businesses or properties must not be privatised. Instead, candidates must present plans to make existing loss-incurring Government businesses financially viable. Establishing an integrated Information and Communication Technology (ICT) platform for all public services, and implementing a system accessible to the public showcasing transparent procurement and tender procedures of the Government mirroring global standards are of crucial importance to combat fraud and corruption.
- University ranking enhancement
Develop a comprehensive development program to elevate all 17 state universities of Sri Lanka into the top 1,000 in international rankings. Additionally, align university courses with international job market demands to address graduate unemployment.
- Tourism industry boost
Present a plan to revitalise the tourism industry with the ambitious goal of attracting 5 million tourists to Sri Lanka annually.
- Foreign exchange stability
Introduce a new program with strategies to ensure a steady influx of dollars, preventing future foreign exchange crises. Proposals should include plans to increase remittances from overseas workers and enhance income from the export of goods and services.
https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Dominant-SLPP-lists-10-pre-conditions-for-Presidential-aspirants/44-756693
