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Six months on; has NPP govt. walked the talk?
Colombo, April 24 (Daily Mirror) - Six months have lapsed after the formation of the National People’s Power (NPP) government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He ascended to office after the victory at the Presidential Election on September 21, 2024. For a government elected for five years, six months period is not a long time to assess its performance in full. Nevertheless, it is a time sufficiently long enough for a politically savvy person to assess its direction in the policy implementation. Here is a quick overview of what it promised and how it performed during the past six months.
Eradication of Corruption: No complaint against ruling party politicians
The NPP leaders pledged repeatedly during election times that corruption will be eradicated and they will not seek commissions from prospective investors. So far, no complaint or revelation has been made about corruption, frauds, malpractices and irregularities involving ruling party politicians.
IMF programme intact despite pre-election utterances to renegotiate it
The NPP leaders, before the elections, vowed to renegotiate the programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). After the election, the government decided to move ahead with it as it is, though. The government leaders realised that such renegotiation would only derail the programme and destabilise the economy which is now on a growth trajectory.
Electricity pricing: Tariffs reduced, but below promised amount
Pledge -President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that he would take steps to reduce the electricity tariff by more than 30 per cent in the near future. He said this at a public meeting of the National People’s Power (NPP) in Dambulla on October 9, ahead of the General Election.
Current status: In contrast to what he said, the government reduced electricity tariffs by an average of 20 per cent. It was a lifeline to the economy which was otherwise ailing. However, further reduction of electricity tariffs is challenging for the government because the International Monetary Fund (IMF) insists on cost–reflective pricing of electricity. Sri Lanka is currently going through the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Programme. According to the programme, the state owned enterprises including the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) should not be a burden to the Treasury.
Fuel pricing formula remains despite promise to scrap
Pledge: President Dissanayake speaking before the September 21 election, accused the previous government of increasing fuel prices. He said people had to pay higher price for fuel due to exorbitant taxes and some commissions for politicians.
Current status: Upon election to office, he has pressed ahead with the same fuel pricing formula introduced by the last government. It is a clear contrast of what he promised and actually does.
VAT reduction a promise not lived up to
Pledge: On August 17, 2024, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said in Tangalle, that the future NPP government would remove VAT on medicines, school items and food.
Current status: However, back in office, there was no VAT exemption except for locally produced fresh milk and yoghurt. Also, Rs.6,000 allowance was paid for low income families to purchase stationery for their children. It is practically impossible for anyone to expect VAT reduction as it affects revenue reduction.
Pay hike: A promise delivered, but below expectations
Pledge: NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the National People's Power (NPP) will increase government servants' salaries. He said salary scales would be revised every six months proportionate to the cost of living.
Current status: The government actually announced a pay hike for government workers in the budget that was passed on March 21, 2025. The Cabinet approved the salary revisions on March 24 and the following day, a circular was issued to facilitate the changes in time for the April payroll. The Budget allocated Rs.110 billion for public sector wages and an additional Rs.300 billion planned over the next 18 months.
However, the government is now not talking about any bi-annual revision of salary scales.
Scrapping benefits to former Presidents: Constitution stands in the way
Pledge: The NPP leaders including the President promised over and over again to scrap perks and privileges of former Presidents and parliamentarians. Plantation Minister Samantha Vidyaratne, once said, it would be a priority of the government.
Current status: However, a constitutional bar stands in the way of the government’s move to prune perks and benefits to former Presidents as observed by the committee appointed to look into it. Besides, the government still mulls the introduction of legislation to scrap pensions for parliamentarians. It is easier said than done.
Action on Bond Scam: Arjuna Mahendran still at large
Pledge: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as the presidential candidate, said that if he becomes the President, he will bring back Arjuna Mahendran, who is currently wanted in court over the Central Bank Bond Scam. A red warrant has been issued for his arrest and deportation to Sri Lanka. He made this statement while attending a public meeting held in Kiribathgoda on August 18, 2024.
Current status: Arjuna Mahendran is still at large, and Singapore has cited inability to extradite him in terms of the law.
New Constitution: Ample time for Govt to fulfil
In the NPP election manifesto titled “A Thriving Nation A Beautiful Life”, it was promised to introduce a new constitution with the abolition of executive presidency after proper deliberations with all concerned.
The government promised to do it in three years. It has enough time still.
Independent Prosecutor’s Office: Action is now being taken
Pledge: Introducing a Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) as a mechanism to eliminate delays within the judicial system and establishing a main DPP office and sub offices in the provinces which will remain independent of the Attorney General’s Department to conduct cases on behalf of the government, as stated in the NPP Policy Statement 2024.
Current status: A discussion on the proposed Independent Prosecutor’s Office took place March first week under the Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara to determine whether the proposed IPO will remain separate from the Attorney General’s Department or operate under the AG. This was in the backdrop of the Justice Ministry taking steps to draft a Cabinet paper on the establishment of an IPO.
Supreme Court Justice Yasantha Kodagoda representing Chief Justice Murdu Fernando presented an eight-page report to those present. Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe, Head of the AG’s Department’s Criminal Division Senior Additional Solicitor General Rohantha Abeysuriya, Bar Association of Sri Lanka representative Anura Meddegoda and Justice Ministry Secretary Ayesha Jinasena were present at the discussion.
Probe on Easter Sunday Attacks: CID assigned for fresh investigations
Pledge: According to the pledge announced by the National People’s Power on April 17, 2023, appropriate legal actions will be taken against the politicians and public officials who were found guilty by the verdicts of the Supreme Court for the Easter Sunday attack.
Current Status: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake directed to hand over the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the 2019 Easter Sunday’s attacks to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation on Monday, April 21 on the sixth anniversary of the attacks. Also, Senior Superintendent of Police Shani Abeysekara has been appointed to the committee investigating the PCoI report on the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks yesterday. Accordingly, the four-member committee chaired by Senior DIG Asanga Karawita has been expanded to five members to study the investigation report.
The President even said that he would divulge key names held responsible for the attack before Easter Sunday of this year. No such revelation was done, though.
(Contributed by Kelum Bandara, Kurulu Koojana Kariyakarawana, Lakmal Sooriyagoda, Yohan Perera, Ajith Siriwardane)
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