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Completing the people's unfinished business

Letter to the People:

In the 2001 Parliamentary General Election the United National Front presented you with a programme for Government entitled "A New Economic Future, A New Social Order". This was a six-year programme based upon the normal life of a Parliament. After a tough campaign where the People's Alliance used all the mechanisms of state against us, including the state media, you gave your verdict and gave us the mandate to form a Government and implement the programme.

Soon after that momentous election I told the nation that the work ahead was similar to that of the farmer. The first year would be one of preparing fallow land. The second year would be one of sowing the seeds and in the third year the first fruits of all this hard work would start to appear.

Nothing has changed. The first year was spent bringing a ceasefire to our war torn country and repairing a damaged and contracting economy. It was also a time of planning and looking more closely at the type of Sri Lanka we wished to build within the context of our manifesto. The second year was one of consolidation, sowing the seeds of many development projects and continuing the work of repairing the economy. We were just two years into our six-year programme when disaster struck.

Just as we were about to enter the third year with a well structured and costed Budget the President decided to de-stabilise the country. All at once the peace looked less stable, the value of the Rupee fell, the Stock Market crashed and inward investment fled the country. The hoped for budget had to be re-written.

According to independent observers the effect of the President's actions in November last year was to cost the country Rs. 47,500,000,000 (Rs. 47.5 billion), or Rs. 10,000 for every family, in 2004 alone.

The effect was shattering. The work of Government almost stalled, development projects had to be put on temporary hold and donors such as the International Monetary Fund decided to withhold their pledged funding because of the instability. By the end of January we were just starting to get our programme back into action when the President acted again and called the fourth election in five years.

This election has to be the most unnecessary and unwanted election in the history of our country. It has denied you the many benefits resulting from the peaceful atmosphere that were starting to come through, it has disrupted the all important 'A' levels which are so important to our young people and it will cost around Rs. 650,000,000 (Rs. 650 million) to hold the election.

The previous PA Government was given seven years in which to prove their worth. They were shown to be lacking the necessary skills to gain peace or to run the economy. We inherited an economy which was contracting at -1.5% and a war that was going nowhere.

Today, despite all the problems, the economy had grown for five consecutive quarters at around +5.5% and the Peace Process, regardless of many difficulties, is still alive. As we pass the second anniversary of the ceasefire agreement many people have taken the peace for granted. Truthfully there is much work still to be completed and many complex negotiations to be had before peace will finally be ours.

So in just two short years we have made many early gains. Some have filtered through to the people but many more were due in this, the third year. As yet they have not been lost but they could easily be destroyed if the economy is placed in the wrong hands.

I commend this work programme to you with one final thought. You are used to reading manifestos full of promises. Politicians offering handouts which they know they cannot deliver after the election. We refused to do that in our 2001 manifesto and we refuse to do so again. Delivering the benefits of our hard work has not been easy and you were right to be impatient after so many years of neglect.

On 2nd April we ask you to give us back those additional years denied to us and allow us to continue to bring the benefits that you have so long deserved. It is your future, your families' future and the peace which we ask you to protect. A large and resounding victory for the UNF will make the President's JVP/SLFP alliance think again.

Thank you.

Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Prime Minister and Leader of the United National Party and Front

PS. Please remember, you are not deciding the future of a political party, but the future for you and your family.

The unjustified dissolution of Parliament interrupted the UNF Government in delivering on the promises made at the last election and many of the benefits from peace and a re-invigorated economy. Much has been done. More has been started. Even more would have come if the Government had had a normal lifespan. We are seeking a renewed mandate at this election to continue with the work that we began two years ago and fulfil the commitments we made to you then.

We stand on the manifesto presented to you at the last election and ask you to judge us on the results that have been achieved. (You should also compare this with the poor results from the last PA Government.) For that reason, we are presenting you with an updated work programme that includes many initiatives that were under way when dissolution came.

There are two major issues facing Sri Lanka - peace and economic development. Rarely has a government in any country had to face two such daunting challenges simultaneously. It is even rarer that a government has succeeded as the UNF Government has done these last two years. You must decide who you can trust to bring lasting peace and build an economy that will provide employment to all of our people.

Work Programme Actions to be Continued and Completed

Peace Process

The people demand peace and need a peaceful environment in which to fulfil our economic aspirations. The choice we face is clear. Do we go forwards or go back?

* Build on the solid foundation of the stopping of the war, and the consolidation of the ceasefire for two years, which we have achieved for our country.

* Our goal is a political settlement of the ethnic question, just and fair to all communities, within a united Sri Lanka.

* This will be achieved in accordance with the principles set out in the Oslo Declaration, the Tokyo Declaration and the statement by the Tokyo Co-Chairs.

* Assure the right of all communities to use the power devolved to manage their affairs effectively without discrimination in any form.

* Resume the peace talks as soon as possible after the election, with the participation of the Muslim community as a separate entity.

* Negotiate with the donor community to re-commence the flow of aid funds back into the country.

* Take necessary measures to enable people displaced by the war to return to their homes and resume normal lives.

* Continue, within the framework of the peace process, to work towards development and rehabilitation of the North and East, allocating resources on an equitable basis to all communities.

* Seek to establish an interim administration for the North and East, based on community oriented development, as a step towards the formulation and implementation of a permanent political solution to the ethnic question.

* Hold a national referendum before implementation of any final negotiated peace settlement.

Creating 3 Million Jobs & Increasing Economic Growth

With 1.3 million people joining the workforce over the next 10 years, 650,000 now unemployed, and more than 1 million under-employed, much higher growth is essential.

* Continue with policies to ensure 7% to 8% rates of economic growth over next decade to eliminate unemployment and raise incomes.

* Increase foreign and domestic investment;.

* Invest in infrastructure necessary to support economic growth as presented in the Physical Infrastructure Development Plan.

* Improve educational opportunities for young and old.

* Provide meaningful assistance to small and medium firms to enhance productivity and become competitive.

* Work with labour unions and the private sector to develop a system to ensure workers security and sound labour relations.

* Strengthen capacity to promote exports in overseas markets. Spread the Benefits of Development Throughout the Country

Everyone must play their part if we are to succeed.

* Establish the Regional Economic Development Commissions in the three remaining regions and strengthen the two existing Commissions in the South and North Western Regions.

* Complete development of six new industrial and commercial zones as centres for regionally dispersed investment.

* Develop highways and roads throughout the country to increase access for investment and production and to reduce costs, expanding domestic markets.

* Bring reliable, cost-effective access to electricity, power and water to all parts of the country.

Develop Information & Communications Technology (ICT)

ICT will be the leading edge of economic growth and development for the future.

* Target new investment and technical education programmes to rapidly expand this sector, creating 100,000 jobs over next five years - establishing Sri Lanka as viable ICT centre.

* Strengthen and expand computer education in schools and through adult education programmes.

* Introduce new training programmes for the new jobs being created by call centres, business processing services and the growing telecom industry.

* Greatly increase access to ICT in rural areas, expanding the existing programmes.

Accelerate and Diversify Industrial Development

Manufacturing and services sectors will be the main source of new jobs in the years ahead.

* Complete the implementation of two new investment zones under way in Biyagama and Makandura.

* Establish new industrial and commercial zones in each region.

* Implement the Industrial Renewal Programme announced in the 2004 Budget to provide technical assistance to firms seeking to increase productivity and expand production.

* Continue to pursue new trade and technical initiatives to assist the garment industry to save jobs by better adjustment to the elimination of quotas in January 2005.

Support Rapid Growth in Tourism

Tourism will generate 300,000 new jobs over the next decade.

* Continue with major international promotion of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.

* Develop tourist areas in Bandarawela and Badulla to build on opportunities for new types of up-market tourist activities, including eco-based and nature tourism.

* Develop the new Bentota II Tourism Area, including 4,000 acres with the necessary infrastructure to ensure socially, culturally and environmentally-friendly expansion of tourist facilities.

* Develop multi-use tourism and commercial areas in Dambadeniya, Galle and Tangalle building on their strategic locations.

* Develop new, up-market tourist centres in Kalpitya, Puttalam and Mundal that will preserve these unspoiled, ecologically sensitive areas.

Increased Construction Activity

The Infrastructure Plan includes 64 large-scale development projects that will generate enormous numbers of jobs in coming years.

* Continue with major programme now under way to rehabilitate all rural and provincial roads throughout the island, including the repair and rebuilding of bridges and resurfacing.

* Substantially increase the building of new low and middle income housing in all districts, expanding the three pilot programmes now under way in the Western Region.

* Accelerate commercial development in Colombo as part of broader urban redevelopment of Western Province.

* Develop facilities in Kotte for new administrative centre for government.

* Begin construction on the Horana-Seethawaka-Negombo Road to accommodate new industrial zones, an IT Park, a Science Park, commercial centres and affordable housing.

* Extend the Southern Expressway to Hambantota to connect with Wellawaya and enable development of Southern Special Economic Zones for substantial new investment.

* Build the highway from Matara to Madampe to connect with the Southern Expressway.

* Construct the new Colombo-Kandy Expressway.

Rapid Development Of Sri Lanka as a Major Regional Hub

This will lead to a major increase in job opportunities in trade, transport and financial services.

* Upgrade of the international airport (now under way) to include improved terminal facilities and accommodate new A380 jets.

* Build the new Wellawaya International Airport to accommodate growth in tourism and industrial activity throughout the South.

* Continue with the investment in the Peliyagoda Logistics Centre, a key investment to make Sri Lanka a major regional commercial hub.

* Commence Hambantota Development, to include new harbour facilities, refinery, coal fired power plant and desalination plant and a strategic investment for rapid development of the area.

* Commence construction of new Colombo South Harbour to expand capacity.

Increasing Jobs in Teaching and the Public Service

After two years of financial difficulty, we were able to begin 3-year pay increase and to re-commence recruitment.

* Re-commence recruitment to the public service to fill positions in areas where the government has identified requirements for additional staff. It is expected that regular recruitment will be a necessary part of the upgrading of the public service. Many of these new jobs will require technical skills and graduate degrees.

* Mobilize funds immediately to begin training programme for A/L students and graduates to prepare them to become teachers in rural areas - vacancies have been identified.

Improving Education and Developing Better Schools

Investment in our children today is the foundation for economic growth in the future.

* Introduce greater direct involvement of parents, past pupils and teachers in the operation and development of schools.

* Under a school-based recruitment programme, hire new teachers, including IT/computers, English and technical subjects, many to be located in rural areas.

* Increase the numbers of computers in schools and expand internet access in schools.

* Strengthen the curricula at all levels and expand the range of text books and educational materials available.

Making Adult Education and Training Available To All Education is a life long process.

* Continue with current programmes introduced to teach computer skills and English and expand to other areas.

* Work with labour unions and the private sector to design and target new initiatives to ensure retraining leads to rapid re-employment.

* Introduce legislation already prepared to make funds available from the Human Resource Endowment Fund to assist individuals to pay for fee levying tertiary education programmes.

Upgrading Technical and Vocational Education

The country faces a severe shortage of opportunities for technical and vocational training.

* Implement current plans to ensure that there is at least one technical institute in each electorate.

* Prepare substantial number of new teachers to meet increased demand for technical and vocational education.

* Continue with cooperation with India to establish a new Institute of High Technology (Hi-Tech), agreed as part of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

* Make resources available to students pursuing programmes through the Human Resources Endowment Fund.

* Establish the new Multi-Media University.

Increased Financial Resources for Students to Pursue Higher Education

To provide financial assistance to students to attend fee levying tertiary education courses.

* Introduce early in the new Parliament legislation prepared to create the body to administer the Human Resources Endowment Fund, established in the 2003 budget. (Delayed due to dissolution of Parliament.)

* Expand sources of financial resources for Fund.

Improving Bus and Rail Services

In 2002 and 2003 the Government spent Rs 11,158 million on rail and Rs 4,865 million to prevent further deterioration of services.

* Continue with programme to strengthen the management of the bus companies with the private sector while the government retains ownership.

* Continue to provide support for the import of new buses through the Indian Line of Credit - nearly 1,400 have already been purchased.

* Continue to develop programme with Indian assistance to strengthen management and operations of the rail system (RITES).

* Obtain additional international technical assistance to significantly improve safety and quality of rail service.

* Protect and strengthen the incomes and financial security of farmers and rural communities.

Supporting Farmers' Incomes

Agriculture will remain the economic foundation for the country.

Productivity must be improved so that farmers' incomes will be increased.

* Continue to ensure strong, stable prices for outputs, not making ad hoc changes in import tariffs on key commodities.

* Increase the purchase price for paddy from Rs.13.50 to Rs 15.00 per kilo. (At Rs 850/bag, the cost of fertiliser for 1 acre is Rs 4000; from which the farmer will earn Rs 8,000 at the Rs 15.00 price, thus covering the cost of fertilizer and yielding positive revenue.)

* Ensure farmers have access to fertilizer, seeds and other inputs at reasonable prices - review and determine prices each growing season and determine appropriate subsidy.

* Increase agricultural productivity, through strengthened extension services to enable farmers to increase yields and support access to more advanced technologies such as micro- and drip irrigation.

* Continue to make improved seed and plant materials available.

* Grant clear land title to 1.2 million farmers by introducing a new bill early in the new Parliament - will make it much easier to obtain credit and restructure farms. (Opposed in the Supreme Court by the 6 PA Provincial Council Chief Ministers.)

* Improve agriculture supply chains through better markets, transport and cold storage facilities.

* Expand market opportunities, including development of export markets, expanded contract farming arrangements and strengthened futures markets to reduce farmer risk.

* Enact the Agrarian Services Act early in the life of the new Parliament. (Delayed due to the dissolution of Parliament.)

Strengthening Plantation Communities

* Continue with the development of a comprehensive programme for the upliftment of communities in plantation areas to address urgent needs for improved housing, schools, healthcare facilities, roads, electricity and technical education in order to provide greater access to higher education and employment opportunities.

Improving Quality of Life in Rural Areas

Most of our population live in rural areas. Most have yet to benefit from economic development.

* Strengthen the rural economy by increasing regional employment opportunities through new zones and improved infrastructure.

* Continue to re-habilitate or build nearly 16,000 kilometres of rural roads over the next two years. To be continued in subsequent years to include all rural roads country-wide.

* Continue the ongoing comprehensive programme to repair and upgrade provincial roads.

* Ensure that at least 80% of all homes will have power within the original lifetime of the UNF government. 1,625,000 people will benefit from the rural electrification programme currently under way.

* Use ongoing programmes to provide greater educational opportunities for the young within reach of rural communities.

Supporting the Fishing Industry

Before the election in 2001, fishermen could not go out to sea due to restrictions access and motor size. These have now been removed.

* Continue to encourage the expansion of the fishing industry around the whole island by supporting the growth of the deep sea fleet and further development of inland fisheries.

* Provide assistance in obtaining required inputs and new equipment.

* Support the construction of new anchorages and ice/storage facilities.

* Continue to take the steps necessary to establish control and make effective commercial use of the country's wider economic zone in the surrounding seas.

* Continue to ensure that the environment of the seas around Sri Lanka will be well maintained.

* Encourage rapid development of seafood processing and export activities.

Helping Our Youth

To Find Good Jobs

Our 2001 Manifesto promised support for young people across the island. We have only just begun to deliver on this promise.

* Strengthen and significantly expand the Sarasavi Saviya programme so that all unemployed graduates have access to benefits provided through on-the-job experience, financial support and assistance in placement for permanent jobs.

* Continue to recruit young people into the Youth Corps to provide vocational training, including computers/IT and English, gain marketable skills and experience as well as some financial support and career development assistance.

* Continue to implement the Jobs Net programme to match jobs with job seekers.

* Continue ICT Agency's programme to establish the network of cyber-kiosks linked to the internet in each of the Grama Sevaka Niladhari Divisions.

Nutritional Assistance for Young Children

Many have promised free milk for young children. It has never happened.

* Ensure rapid introduction of a programme to provide free liquid milk to needy young children ages 1 to 5. (This was delayed due to the dissolution of Parliament and will be an early priority of a future UNF Government.)

Strengthening Women's Rights

* Introduce early in the new Parliament the Women's Rights Bill.

* Expand the Diri Piyasa programme that was enacted to empower women and provide them with the means necessary to ensure a safe environment for them and their children.

Preserving our Cultural Heritage and Supporting the Arts

We have a rich and varied cultural heritage that must be respected while keeping opportunities for new forms of expression to be heard.

* Continue to preserve and develop invaluable national cultural centre and provide facilities for pilgrims and scholars through the Anuradhapura Mahamevuna Project.

* Construct the new, state-of-the-art Centre for Performing Arts with international support, to be one of the finest venues and fine arts educational centres in South Asia.

* Establish the Centre for Creative Arts and Technology as a venue to provide individuals and schools with access to the latest technological tools and techniques being employed in the creative arts today.

Building a More Responsible Government

The people demand a cleaner, more responsive government that will ensure peace and prosperity. Only the UNF can be trusted to fulfil this demand.

* Strengthen the Bribery Commission by increasing the number of members to 5 and making the anti-corruption investigations more effective.

* Ensure continued effective implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, making Ministers more responsible for their budgets and requiring greater accountability to Parliament through a new committee structure.

* Enact the Freedom of Information Act that will provide unprecedented access by the public to the work of Government and will make it harder to cover up bad practices. (Delayed due to the dissolution of Parliament.)

* Present to Parliament the Women's Rights Bill. (Also delayed due to the dissolution of Parliament.)

* Continue efforts to establish Community Councils in every GS Division, to consist of voluntary grass roots level organizations - to be undertaken by a re-elected UNF Government.

* Provide Rs. 2,000 to 3,000 million in initial financial support for the commencement of the Community Councils.

* Establish the Inter-Religion Advisory Board to promote better communication and greater understanding between religious groups and strengthen the spiritual life of the country.

* Establish the Council for Good Governance, members to be appointed by the Constitutional Council from names forwarded by civil society organizations.

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