NPP presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Wednesday assured Sri Lanka’s business community that an NPP government would not use the Central Bank for political purposes.

Speaking at the National Business Forum held at Monarch Imperial in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, Dissanayake emphasised the importance of keeping the economy at the center of political debates, noting that the ongoing economic collapse has forced both the public and political leaders to seriously engage with economic issues.

Dissanayake highlighted that the NPP was presenting its economic policies for public scrutiny ahead of the election.

Addressing concerns regarding the NPP’s potential impact on the economy, Dissanayake dismissed rumours that the stock market downturn was linked to the party’s growing popularity. He reflected on the NPP’s challenging political journey and the current opportunity for victory, adding that the party would not follow policies that could lead to the downfall of the government or cause it to flee as previous administrations had. He cited the Supreme Court’s ruling, which blamed the President, Prime Minister, Finance Minister, and other officials for the country’s economic collapse, and assured the public that the NPP would not repeat their mistakes.

Dissanayake stressed that the NPP was not seeking power through popular slogans or hollow promises, recognising the severity of Sri Lanka’s economic situation. He noted the complexities of the current economic structure and emphasised the need for responsible adjustments. He assured that his party is committed to a careful and accountable approach, aware that even minor changes could have significant consequences.

In terms of international relations, Dissanayake underscored the importance of continuing cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as many of Sri Lanka’s economic transactions, including bilateral debt, multilateral debt, and sovereign bonds, are tied to the IMF. He rejected the notion of unilaterally withdrawing from the IMF programme, stressing that such a move would be irresponsible. Instead, he promised to work within the IMF’s parameters, ensuring that they were beneficial to the country.

Dissanayake also outlined the NPP’s position on the role of government in public enterprises. He agreed that while certain sensitive sectors such as energy, financial markets, and national security should remain under government control, the government should not operate profit-driven businesses. Instead, a strong regulatory framework would be established to ensure the continuous provision of essential goods and services at fair prices.

Further, Dissanayake criticised the restrictive nature of the country’s governance structures, which have hindered economic progress. He highlighted the stark contrast between Sri Lanka’s stagnating export earnings and South Korea’s exponential growth over the past decades, attributing this to corruption and the lack of a national economic plan. To address this, he promised to reform outdated laws and provide the infrastructure needed for business growth, urging investors to take the lead in driving economic progress.

He concluded by calling for a new partnership between politicians and entrepreneurs, where their goals are aligned to build a stronger Sri Lanka. Dissanayake assured the business community that the NPP government would not seek special favours but would work collaboratively for the country’s development. The forum was attended by numerous prominent business leaders from across the country.

(RK)