NPP unveils economic plan to build resilient social market economy

26 January 2023 07:19 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Says current govt. has lost public trust, hence unable to implement critical reforms
Points out new constitution abolishing executive presidency key to transform corrupt political culture
Says NPP govt. would look into reducing income distribution inequality; calls equal distribution of income utopian concept
Stresses an NPP-led government would only undertake infrastructure development projects after assessing their economic contribution
Shares plans to establish a financial crimes investigation division to recover stolen assets by politicians and others

By Nishel Fernando
While stressing the need for fresh elections to elect a new government to come out of the on-going economic crisis, National People Power (NPP) Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayaka vowed to build a resilient social market economy by transforming the country’s political culture.

He outlined that the current government has lost public trust and hence cannot implement critical reforms to revive the economy. “We need to restructure our debt with an involvement of a third party in the short term. A united effort is needed to come out of the current economic crisis. A new government with a fresh mandate would have the public support to carry out the required reforms in the
short term.

However, the current government, which is responsible for the economic crisis we are experiencing, does not have the public support to undertake these tasks. Nowhere in history, a government responsible in putting a country through crisis, has succeeded in reviving the economy,” he said.

Dissanayaka shared these remarks while addressing the National Economic Forum organised by the NPP in Colombo, on Tuesday evening. He stressed that a new constitution that abolishes executive presidency is a critical component in transforming the country’s deep-rooted corrupt political culture. “It is unsuitable for a country such as Sri Lanka, as it is often misused by our leaders. They have not developed the ability or thought process to handle such power,” he added.

Under a future NPP government, Dissanayaka highlighted they would focus on increasing economic participation of the population and to reduce income distribution inequality while terming equal distribution of income as a utopian concept.

“Within three to four years, we will build a strong social market economy,” he said.
Presenting the party’s economic development plan, NPP Council Member and Kotte MC candidate Chathuranga Abeysinghe noted the key pillars of it include a production plan, human resource plan, geo-heritage values, effective and efficient public service and international trade.

Accordingly, he emphasised that the private sector would be able to make better informed decisions, in line with the set industry targets while the government would remain accountable for meeting these targets. Meanwhile, Dissanayaka stressed that a future NPP-led government would only undertake infrastructure development projects after assessing their economic contribution to the country at large. In terms of the government’s role in the businesses, he noted that it would be largely limited to regulation, except for the energy and financial services industry. “We don’t like to hand over the country’s power generation to foreign parties,” he added.

Towards a more equitable income distribution in the country, Dissanayaka shared that they would empower co-operative movement. Commenting on human resource development, Abeysinghe noted that the NPP would develop a national HR plan while focusing on to develop socially-conscious global citizens. “We need to create a society that goes in line with the demands of the world,” he said. Commenting on education, Dissanayaka noted that the citizens would have the ability to choose to undertake their education either in a state institute or private institute or abroad. Making a remark on recovering the stolen state assets by politicians and others, he shared the intentions to establish a financial crimes investigation division. He pointed out that the country could seek assistance of multilateral agencies to recover these assets.

The event saw the participation of over 1,000 invitees of the country’s business community.

Comments - 12

Kumar Thursday, 26 January 2023 07:48 AM

Still trying to implement failed communist ideology? It appears free market economy is thriving in the west is helping Sri Lanka to survive.

Citizen k Thursday, 26 January 2023 08:02 AM

Please give us something new .These are the plans of all parties.How are going to find new markets and encourage local growth of food items.Have a processing plant in districts that grow a item in plenty like fresh tomatoes can be turned into ketchup when there is a glut.The list can go on.

Hubert Congreve Thursday, 26 January 2023 09:29 AM

At present, only JVP and Aragalaya Team consisting of Professionals could solve the problems of the masses and get relief non others.

Wathsi Thursday, 26 January 2023 09:35 AM

His effort to blame only the current govt for the economic woos indicate NPP's vision is so short sighted. It is better if the power goes to them for mainly 2 reasons. 1 the country will be free of road agitations, trade union actions, student unrest etc., because they are the very people who behind such actions. 2. We will experience as voters they are no better than their predecessors.

Praja Pathirana Thursday, 26 January 2023 09:52 AM

Mr. Abeysinghe, Social market economy and income distribution equality are like ela haraka and mee haraka

Jude Thursday, 26 January 2023 10:17 AM

Reduced the number of MP's to 100 !! Scrap LG's and PC's yeah!!! Over one Trillion rupees per year will be saved, government don't have to borrow any money forever!! Yeah!!

Jude Thursday, 26 January 2023 10:26 AM

There should be tangible incentives for More people to indulge in cultivation!! Only way to develop SL through agriculture, period!! That should be the primary focus along with solid short and long term plans to increase GDP !! Yeah!

Chux Thursday, 26 January 2023 10:44 AM

No where in the world can’t have 100 % perfect equal revenue distribution and particularly JVP can’t with their trade unions to run any economy

Yoshana Thursday, 26 January 2023 10:46 AM

Its pleasing to see some intelligent readers and intelligent comments. NPP/JVP communist ideology will never change. They are to be part or mostly blamed for the majority of the problems in Sri Lanka from 1971, 1983 riots, 88/89 and bringing to power the biggest political family of thieves in 2004/2005 and now they are trying preach good governance and morality.

JVP supporter Thursday, 26 January 2023 11:59 AM

All NPP supporters don't attend their meetings or listen to their speeches on the electronic or print media. Most are silent supporters. The NPP must provide a WHATS APP NO. or an EMAIL ADDRESS for their supporters to express their views and suggestions.

Karalasingam Sivalingam Thursday, 26 January 2023 12:39 PM

NPP should be given an opportunity to rule this country atleast for two years,since at one time they ran Tangalle UC earning the praise of all parties.

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 26 January 2023 05:57 PM

Still same old concept that even did not work in Russia. If income is to be distributed equally then, no one would really want to work hard or innovate anything. Everyone would want to less as there is no motivation for earning more. These policies should change, their trump card for winning is not to bring communist economy but to capitalize on honesty and values and commitment to end corruption.

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NPP unveils economic plan to build resilient social market economy

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