The NPP Govt.’s half-time score card unimpressive

Government has promised to recruit individuals in various institutions. It has also promised fertiliser subsidies to farmers and fuel subsidies to fishermen. With elections looming in another two-and-a-half year’s, it may turn out to be, too little too late

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National people’s Front (NPP) Government has been in power for the past two years and five months. In simple language the regime has only two more years in power before it has to face the people at the next round of elections. It is a good time as any to check how many of its pre-election pledges Government has achieved. 

In the run-up to the Presidential and General Elections, regime promised to renegotiate the International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal cut by the earlier regime, bring down the cost of living (COL), develop the country, eradicate corruption and enhance democracy with accountability. Unfortunately for Government, the IMF was not ready to change dot or a coma on the agreed deal. 

On the corruption front, Government’s results have been mixed. Government has cracked down on issues dealing with misuse of state resources and allegations of corruption at the highest level under the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government, including cases related to the Rajapaksa family. Both the sons of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, are being prosecuted by courts on various corruption charges.  

A minister of the then regime too has been imprisoned as have several state officials. Cases have also been filed against several ministers and even immediate past President Ranil Wickremesinghe was arrested. The prosecution is in progress.

Government pledged to provide a corruption-free regime. Unfortunately today, ‘The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption’ has initiated an investigation into the alleged assets of six ministers of the current NPP Government under the Money Laundering Act. Since the NPP Government came into power a series of underworld killings swept the country. According to the then Acting IGP, in 2024 there were 93 incidents of underworld gang shootings. Government was also able to bring the situation under control by 2025. It is reported many of the gangs were acting under political patronage and the killings were attempts to get rid of evidence which could have led to the arrest of politicians involved in criminal activities.  

During the more recent past, several scams hit a government-owned bank and the Treasury. Officials of these institutions committed, what appear to be ‘suicides’. Many are left wondering whether the suicides are killings by other means, to prevent witness of crimes from providing evidence which could lead to prosecution of political leaders.

However the biggest failure of Government has been its inability to tackle the cost of living. Today the average wage in the public sector varies between Rs. 57,000 to 60,000. Wages in the private sector are in the main lower. A number of private sector institutions are unable to pay their employees on a regular date, thus making workers situation much worse. Yet at the same time the cost of providing two meals per family per day is over Rs. 100,000. This leaves no cash for health care, education etc. 

It is not surprising therefore the latest UNICEF report shows that about 56,000 children in Sri Lanka are suffering from acute malnutrition. Children under the age of five need urgent treatment according to the organisation. The report adds that 2.2 million children in Sri Lanka need humanitarian assistance.  

Making matters worse the medical fraternity has raised issue claiming medical drugs are in short supply. According to ‘Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance’ Chairman, Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, the country is facing a shortage of several essential medicines. He adds patients suffering from cancer, kidney and liver diseases, as well as those awaiting surgeries and receiving treatment for non-communicable diseases, are among the worst affected. Doctors warn that unless authorities take immediate action to address the issue, healthcare services and patient care could be severely disrupted. To add to the misery of Lankans, Government recently announced an increase in the VAT rate on financial services from 18 to 20.5 percent, impacting banks and related institutions.

This again hits the poor who are main users of government medical services.

On the plus side, Government has promised to recruit individuals in various institutions. It has also promised fertiliser subsidies to farmers and fuel subsidies to fishermen. With elections looming in another two-and-a-half year’s, it may turn out to be, too little too late.

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