NPP set to unveil election manifesto in third week of August

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) will unveil its election manifesto in the third week of August, likely on 20 or 21 August, according to NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.The NPP has already introduced several policy frameworks focusing on various sectors, including the Science and Technology policy framework and Engineering Policy Concept Papers.

Dr. Amarasuriya mentioned that over the past three years, the NPP has actively engaged with communities in rural areas to broaden its voter base. Initially, the typical NPP voter was a city-dwelling professional, but their outreach efforts aim to diversify their support. However, they now have significant support in the villages, she said.

She stated that the current formation of political alliances is opportunistic and often driven by the parliamentary election that follows the presidential election.

“This is what motivates most MPs. They support various presidential candidates because they believe that aligning with the winner on 21 September will secure them a seat in Parliament. However, I don’t think this approach is effective anymore,” she said.

Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted that a significant danger of the Ranil Wickremesinghe administration is its tendency to enter agreements with international actors without sufficient consideration. Once these agreements are in place, extricating oneself from them becomes extremely complex.

“We have signed an unfavourable deal with the IMF, and renegotiating it is intricate. We have always been honest with the public. However, it is also incorrect to claim that these agreements are non-negotiable. The government needs to be astute and patient to amend what is necessary and secure the best possible deal,” she said.

Amarasuriya said another agreement regarding the establishment of a wind farm with Adani in Mannar. There are two agreements: one with Adani and another between the two nations. “The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the agreement with Adani, but the agreement we signed with India on renewable energy remains in place. Two influential Ministers claimed that the agreement with Adani was a government-to-government deal. Kanchana Wijesekera stated this in Parliament, while Ali Sabry mentioned it during a press conference in India. The specifics of the deal are unclear, as we only know what the government has disclosed,” she said.

The NPP stated that the party must demonstrate its capability to govern the country and engage in diplomacy. “We must show the people that we possess the necessary maturity, and I believe we are doing so during the election process. We must also be principled and show respect to people. Our opponents cannot compete with our policies or our leadership. Now they are trying to scare people. Our opponents no longer claim we are losing; instead, they say we will be dangerous in power,” she said.

She noted that there has been a significant brain drain over the past two years, which must be stopped and reversed. The solution, she suggested, is to create an environment where people can work with dignity and contentment.

“Most professionals are simply unhappy. People are leaving not because of salaries and taxes. Professionals are discontented. They cannot work while maintaining the dignity of their profession. This issue affects teachers the most, whether they teach at a university or a school. Instead of teaching or conducting research, much of our time is spent filling out forms. Those who teach postgraduate students have not been paid, and the government expects these institutions to finance themselves. Rather than improving courses, we have become marketers,” she said.