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President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that out-dated political slogans such as "we catch thieves, they didn't catch thieves" are no longer relevant to the country's current needs. He emphasized that in the upcoming presidential election, which will shape the future of the nation and its people, every candidate must present a clear and actionable economic policy aimed at advancing the country.
The President urged the public not to entrust their future to leaders who rely on slogans. Instead, he encouraged citizens to engage thoughtfully and seek reasoned answers about the issues impacting their future, following the advice of Buddha.
President Wickremesinghe made these remarks during a meeting with professionals and businessmen from the Anuradhapura district, held today (11) in Anuradhapura.
The event, aimed at garnering support for the President's re-election, saw a significant turnout of professionals and business leaders, who received positive responses to their queries from the President.
When an economy collapses, a nation falters. The Kingdom of Raja Rata, once a formidable power, fell into ruin when its economy disintegrated. We later established new kingdoms in the wet zone, but the lesson remained clear: if the economy fails, the nation is doomed. By 2022, we reached a crisis point where daily life became unbearable for many.
I decided to take responsibility for the country's recovery. While other leaders hesitated, fearing for their political futures, I knew that if the nation was lost, political prospects would be meaningless. To secure a future for both the country and its leaders, we had to act decisively.
Together, we committed to rebuilding the nation. Today, we have stabilized the economy, and people are beginning to feel relief. With anticipated increases in revenue next year, we can lower the cost of goods and ease the burden on our citizens. Additionally, we are implementing salary increases for both government employees and those in the private sector, as part of our on-going efforts to support and uplift the populace.
In the past two years, we have achieved economic stability, but our economy is not yet fully robust. There remains a risk of future collapse if we do not continue our efforts. To ensure lasting stability, we need to maintain our current program for another 5-10 years. This presidential election will be crucial in determining whether we continue to build on our progress or risk regressing. It is essential to recognize that this election will shape the future of our people.
To secure the country’s economic stability, we must transition from an import-based economy to an export-driven one. We have until 2042 to repay our existing loans, and taking on new debt could jeopardize our economy once again within the next 5-10 years.
Thus, it is imperative that we swiftly pivot to an export economy. Our “Puluwan Sri Lanka” program outlines this transition, focusing on reducing the cost of living, creating jobs, easing the tax burden, and safeguarding our heritage and security. To support these goals, we need to strengthen the rupee and increase the income sources for our citizens.
Former Agriculture Minister Anura Dissanayake and Sajith Premadasa have not addressed this critical issue. As our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rises and incomes improve, we expect the tax burden to decrease. We aim to achieve these objectives by 2025.
Our priority is to strengthen the economy by shifting to a competitive export-driven model. Additionally, we are working to boost revenue by doubling the number of tourists. This future plan is key to our country's development.
In contrast, Sajith Premadasa promises everything for free, but such promises lack practical feasibility. He has failed to present a coherent budget, and Harsha de Silva’s economic plan appears contradictory, promising both reduced goods prices and conflicting fiscal strategies.
Former Agriculture Minister Anura Dissanayake also claims to support an export economy. However, his election manifesto contradicts this by proposing the abolition of free trade agreements, which are essential for accessing foreign markets.
Sunil Handunnetti has filed a case against me for supporting an export economy. I have called him for a debate. I suggested that Anura and Sajith should first debate their economic policies to clarify their positions to the public. Following that, we can all participate in a video debate with the Managing Director of the IMF to discuss our economic strategies.
I am committed to developing this country, and it's crucial that our leaders engage in meaningful discussions about how to achieve this. Out-dated political slogans, such as accusing opponents of not catching thieves, are no longer relevant. Each candidate must clearly explain their plans for advancing the nation's economy. This election is a pivotal moment for shaping the future of our people, and we should not entrust it to those who rely solely on slogans.
If someone makes a statement that impacts your future, scrutinize it carefully and assess its merits. Lord Buddha himself taught us not to accept teachings blindly but to question and investigate them. I urge everyone to make a well-informed decision about their future, rather than being swayed by empty rhetoric and false promises. I suggest that everyone vote for the 'Gas Cylinder' on September 21 so we can move forward together.
The country we are in today is not the same as it was in 2019. There is a different situation in the country today compared to what it was back then. There is one thing we can agree on with the opposition—they never appreciate anything we've done. They view everything with a deceitful mind-set. However, one thing we both acknowledged in Parliament was when they said, "We are in an interval in hell." That’s true. We are on a very difficult journey and at a critical crossroads. If we stay on this path, we can recover. But if we stray even slightly, everything could collapse.
Think of the country's difficult situation like your own personal illness. When seeking treatment, would you go to the best doctor or to someone who is experimenting? I ask this because there are three key figures in this situation. Sajith Premadasa is handling the crisis in an extremely naive way. The NPP is proposing to reopen discussions on debt sustainability, a process that already took us a year to negotiate. If they pursue this, the US $1.3 billion we are expecting over the next five months will be delayed. The dollar will rise beyond Rs. 400, and you can easily imagine what will happen after that.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has always said that you cannot deceive people. He refuses to lie to the public. He made tough decisions without fear, and that's the reason we're still able to breathe today. Change is good, but it should be meaningful change—not from one disaster to another. The change should bring true progress.
Today, we are at a pivotal moment as we tackle the economic challenges facing our country. Just as many of you experienced difficulties during the recent economic downturn, you also faced short-term challenges from the government's efforts to stabilize the economy. President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who took on this crucial responsibility, has successfully restored economic stability and created an environment where everyone can thrive.
His efforts to implement a successful program with the IMF have been notable, but there is still more work to be done with these economic reforms.
An important new measure is the requirement for politicians and government officials to disclose their assets and liabilities. This is a first for our country, and now, every government official must make their financial statements available for public viewing.
Additionally, Sri Lanka is unique in Asia for having conducted a governance evaluation report through the IMF. This report not only highlighted our governance strengths and weaknesses but also provided an action plan for improvement. Announced in February 2024, we are currently working on implementing the necessary changes outlined in that plan.
I believe that no other political leader besides President Ranil Wickremesinghe can address the country's economic challenges as comprehensively. President Wickremesinghe has laid the groundwork to enshrine key economic reforms into law and ensure their implementation.
Under the leadership of President Wickremesinghe, a robust program is currently being executed. This program has demonstrated its effectiveness in creating a stable, long-term economy and addressing the needs of the people.
The success of this initiative is at a crucial juncture. On September 21, the people of this country will need to decide whether to support and advance this program. If the program fails, it could set back our progress for another 18 years.
During this meeting, President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressed questions raised by professionals and business leaders.
Can vehicles that are immobilized in state and private institutions be used by repurposing them for spare parts or reconstruction?
Manufacturing spare parts or refurbishing vehicles can be profitable, but providing concessions for this is difficult. However, vehicle imports will be allowed again starting next year.
During election campaigns, there are discussions about stopping corruption and recovering stolen assets. Is it legally permissible for a state leader to take such actions outside the judicial process?
Who is going to catch the thieves? To those making these accusations, I suggest they ask G.L. Peiris how to apprehend the thieves. If further assistance is needed, they can consult Nalaka Godahewa, who can tell them where the thieves are.
This, of course, is a joke. If we are to catch thieves, there must be a proper plan. Do those making these accusations have such a plan? When I was Prime Minister, there was an agreement with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) to appoint President Maithripala Sirisena. They suggested appointing a Director to lead the anti-corruption effort. Accordingly, Ananda Wijepala, proposed by the JVP, was appointed. Now, they accuse us of not catching any thieves. What am I supposed to do about that? He was neither a lawyer nor a police officer, so the question should be asked: why was Ananda Wijepala appointed in the first place? Why were individuals not qualified in legal matters selected? He sent us the reports he prepared, but the responsibility lies elsewhere.
There are institutions designated to catch thieves. Our responsibility is to provide the necessary legal framework and resources for these institutions. We have already introduced the Anti-Corruption Act, but that alone is not enough. How do we recover assets acquired through criminal activities? To address this, we have introduced a Bill on assets gained through crime. The IMF experts have also made several recommendations. In addition, we have an anti-corruption program in place. None of these measures have been proposed by any other candidate. Neither Anura nor Sajith’s plans include such initiatives. They are simply campaigning on two points: lowering the cost of living and catching thieves.
Hasn't the increase in income tax rates had a significant impact on our finances? I’d like to bring this to your attention.
We are aware of the impact caused by our actions, including the VAT increase. However, the revenue generated has allowed the country to strengthen the rupee without resorting to loans. Additionally, we are introducing a system where taxes are paid based on earnings. As part of this, we have reached an agreement with the IMF to conduct a review and make any necessary amendments. Both parties have submitted proposals, which are currently under review and have been agreed upon. Some have questioned how amendments can be made without altering the conditions. Please be assured that we are not violating any terms. We have the opportunity to review and make adjustments as needed.
What strategies do you have in place to support provincial entrepreneurs and boost investment in the provinces?
Our provinces each have unique economies, which we have not fully acknowledged until now. We aim to empower Provincial Councils to work alongside the government in developing their provincial economies. It is impractical for every decision to be made from Colombo, so it is crucial to give Provincial Councils more authority in economic development. In this context, agriculture will receive increased focus and attention.
I urge you to designate Habarana as a tourist zone.
Under the new program I’ve introduced, we won’t be able to designate just Habarana as a tourist zone. Instead, I plan to transform all of Sri Lanka into a tourist destination. To support this, arrangements are being made to establish a Tourist Board in each province.
Our employees are spending nearly half of their income on tuition classes for their children, and we are seeing a decline in children's values. I urge you to address this issue and find a solution. Additionally, as entrepreneurs, we request that freehold deeds be granted for the government lands allocated to us.
Tuition classes have emerged due to deficiencies in our education system. Nowadays, even school teachers are conducting these tutoring sessions, highlighting the need for systemic change. Previously, tuition was confined to specific subjects, allowing schools to focus on their core educational activities. Today, the situation is markedly different, and it’s essential to bring together teachers, tutors, and other stakeholders to discuss how to address this issue effectively. Our goal should be to centre education on schools, but currently, schools seem to be losing their importance. Therefore, we must protect and reinforce the role of schools. When teachers strike and schools close, parents often turn to tutoring classes for their children. Additionally, following the implementation of the “Urumaya” program, we are working on leasing land used for commercial activities on a 99-year or long-term basis.
