Excerpts from the interview:

Q: What inspired your journey into politics, and why did you choose to align with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna?

A: From a young age, I became deeply aware of the social injustices around me—poverty, resource exploitation, and inequality. This awareness sparked a desire to build a fairer society. Motivated by this vision, I joined the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna, a political movement dedicated to social justice. Our goal was never personal gain; rather, it was to alleviate the suffering of the people. Through the party, I learned the true meaning of sacrifice—whether in time, wealth, labour, or even life itself. We believed in making commitments not for personal benefit, but for the greater good of society.

Q: Sri Lanka faces economic, social, and political challenges. What steps do you believe are necessary to steer the country back on track?

A: Countries that gained independence alongside Sri Lanka in 1948 have made remarkable progress, both economically and socially, by embracing systems and movements that were suited to their unique contexts. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka failed to chart its own course from the outset. The country lacked a clear vision and missed opportunities to harness the talents and expertise of its people. Modern technology and innovative ideas were not effectively utilized to strengthen the nation’s path. By 1977, the situation worsened, particularly with the introduction of the open economy, which led to economic collapse and a loss of direction. This failure to capitalise on the advancements of the past century has left Sri Lanka lagging behind. To reverse this, we need a national renaissance, one that embraces modern technology and new thinking. As a starting point, we must focus on advancing in the technical sector, with the goal of creating a digital economy to drive future growth.

Q: Can you elaborate on the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme initiated by the President? What transformations do you expect it to bring to society?

A: The ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme aims to transform the country into a new, organised nation. It’s not merely about physical cleanliness; it’s about creating a structured urban environment that prioritises public welfare. This initiative will foster a shift in the attitudes and mindset of the people, laying the groundwork for the development of responsible citizens. A well-planned city structure can also serve to boost the tourism industry.

Beyond that, we must establish the foundation for an economic renaissance. This includes a much-needed overhaul of the education system, which should focus on cultivating good citizens—individuals who respect others, empathise with their struggles, and demonstrate compassion. The education system must nurture a love for the environment, humanity, and nature. The goal is to create a renaissance of thought, where citizens are equipped not only with knowledge but with values that benefit society as a whole. Although this transformation may take time, we are confident that it is a necessary and achievable goal.

Q: The public service sector faces criticism for inefficiency. What are the NPP’s plans to reform public administration and improve its effectiveness?

A: Effective management of the public service sector is crucial. In the past, politicians often used government institutions to provide jobs to their supporters, resulting in imbalances—some sectors became overstaffed, while others faced shortages. For example, there is an excess of health worker attendants, yet a shortage of essential staff like doctors and nurses. To address this, we must achieve a balanced distribution of employees across the public service. In cases of surplus staff, they should be reassigned to other appropriate sectors. Additionally, a formal and transparent recruitment process must be established to ensure efficiency.

Moreover, for the public service to function effectively, the well-being of employees is paramount. It’s essential to address issues such as transportation, salaries, welfare, and creating a positive work environment. Introducing modern technology in the workplace is also crucial. While computers are currently used for basic tasks like document typing, they can be leveraged for many other purposes, including file management and improving operational efficiency. The Digital Sri Lanka programme will provide the technological foundation necessary to streamline public administration, improving service delivery and overall effectiveness.

Q: Why does the National People’s Power believe a government with a strong majority is essential to implementing real change?

A: To implement real, lasting change in the country, it’s essential to revise and establish new laws, policies, and regulations. This requires the majority power in Parliament. The Constitution grants Parliament control over financial matters, so without a majority, it’s impossible to allocate necessary funds for social welfare, infrastructure, or development. A strong parliamentary majority is therefore critical for any government aiming to drive progress and move the country forward. However, it’s important to note that we are not seeking undemocratic power; we are advocating for the authority to build a stronger, more sustainable nation.

Historically, many leaders have misused their majority to consolidate power for their own benefit rather than advancing the nation. Instead of fostering growth, they focused on entrenching their position. This is not the type of power we seek. What we need is the mandate to govern in a way that benefits the people, utilising the power granted to us through democratic processes. Only with majority support can we truly implement the changes necessary for the betterment of the country.

Q: How does the National People’s Power distinguish itself from other political parties in Sri Lanka?

A: The National People’s Power distinguishes itself by its commitment to truth and transparency. We entered politics with a clear declaration: our aim is to guide the country toward a better future. Achieving this requires the sovereign power of the people, and we firmly believe that we are the only party capable of translating this vision into practical, on-the-ground change. Unlike others, we do not make empty promises. Our focus is on delivering tangible results, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to keeping every promise we make.

Q: Given the current economic downturn, what strategies does the NPP propose to revive Sri Lanka’s economy?

A: Sri Lanka is facing a severe economic crisis. The previous government declared the country bankrupt in 2022, and we inherited an economy in ruins, with national assets being sold off just to keep the country afloat. For instance, the government planned to sell the Milko company along with 28,000 acres of land. Instead of leveraging national resources to rebuild the economy, they opted to sell them off. Even basic services, like distributing imported fuel, were poorly managed.

To rebuild Sri Lanka, we must shift to a production-based economy. This involves tapping into both foreign investments and our own national resources. The key to attracting global investors is establishing transparent governance, free from fraud and corruption. We are already seeing increased interest from investors, and we are committed to creating a business-friendly environment where corruption no longer hinders progress.

One of our core strategies is to strengthen the economy through the tourism sector. We are setting ambitious goals, including increasing tourist arrivals to four million next year. Additionally, our economic plan focuses on three key areas: fostering a productive economy, involving the common people in the economic process, and ensuring the benefits of this growth reach all sections of society.

For example, by improving the economic conditions in education, we can reduce costs for parents and provide much-needed relief. Similarly, in the healthcare sector, we plan to improve services and expand access, ensuring that benefits flow to the community and that health policy prioritizes the welfare of the public.

Q: Do you believe it is possible to rebuild and strengthen Sri Lanka’s collapsed economy in the short term? What actions will your party prioritize?

A: Yes, we firmly believe that Sri Lanka can recover from its collapsed economy in the short-term. We have a clear and practical plan to achieve this. Many countries and international partners are ready to assist, and global investors will be drawn to Sri Lanka once we establish transparent, corruption-free governance. Our focus is on driving growth through a production-oriented economy, and we are also targeting a significant boost in tourism revenue. With these strategies in place, we are confident that the country’s economic recovery will be swift and sustainable.

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Tilvin Silva

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

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