SJB tables plan for sustainable and inclusive development for Sri Lanka
The main opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) made its enhanced economic blueprint for a better Sri Lanka with good governance and inclusive prosperity public this week.
Addressing a forum representing a cross section of the local population, SJB and Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa said Sri Lanka is currently trapped in a stagnant mud pool. “This is not a time for experiments. It is evident that we cannot thrive in a closed and controlled economic model. The SJB will maintain a welfare state, but it will be a carefully balanced approach and ensure that our national policies address every concern.”
SJB MPs Harsha de Silva and Eran Wickramaratne also pointed out the need for reforms, calling for an independent but accountable Central Bank, anti-corruption measures including and not limited to declaration of assets, a unified revenue collection authority, establishing a national land bank, ensuring uninterrupted fuel and energy, ensuring efficient legal and judicial processes/ arbitration, centralised approval (Eg: BOI for locals), increasing Foreign Direct Investment, limited government ownership on strategic areas in state owned enterprises, engaging overseas Sri Lankans and warranting education for all.
Dr. de Silva stressed the need to bolster ties with the international community and the need to draw investment and boost entrepreneurship at all levels. “Blueprint 2.0 offers a plan for economic salvation, survival and equitable growth for
Sri Lanka,” he said.
Asserting that the SJB focuses on a model that encourages investment and economic activity at all levels, Dr. De Silva said that blueprint “out of the debt trap and towards sustainable inclusive development” prioritises the need to promote the formulation of a policy environment that can afford SMEs and entrepreneurs access to finance and global markets. “We have to work to eradicate poverty. Most developing countries have graduated millions of their citizens from poverty to middle-income segments. But in Sri Lanka, millions have fallen into poverty over the past three years,” he added.
Mr. Wickramaratne said the SJB will take a concerted effort to recover stolen funds and resources noting that corruption must be stopped if Sri Lanka is to develop, and the country must open its borders to attract foreign investment. “We need to be a clean and reliable country that both local and foreign investors can have confidence in, with centralised agreements. There should be a Board of Investment for local investors too, not just foreign investors.”
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