Experts’ single advice to Presidential candidates

Verité Research Executive Director Dr. Nishan de Mel

Advocata Institute Chairman Murtaza Jafferjee

Central Bank Former Assistant Governor Dr. Anila Dias Bandaranaike

Hatton National Bank Managing Director Jonathan Alles

Abolishing the Executive Presidency and independent corruption prosecutors were among recommended priorities for aspirants of the country’s top-most job, according to several experts

At the Sri Lanka-Korea Business Council organised “Sri Lanka’s Future: Forecast, Scenarios and Challenges” forum, moderator Advocata Institute CEO Dhananath Fernando asked panellists Verité Research Executive Director Dr. Nishan de Mel, Senior Economist and former Central Bank Assistant Governor Dr. Anila Dias Bandaranaike, Advocata Institute Chairman Murtaza Jafferjee, and Hatton National Bank Managing Director and CEO Jonathan Alles what their single advice would be for Presidential candidates.

“Abolish the Executive Presidency. It is designed for Lee Kuan Yew,” was the snappy response from Jafferjee. 

“Have a policy and implement it strictly,” Alles said. 

“Have a policy that is a statement of intent of anybody who wants to be part of them, about honesty, integrity, and a culture of no corruption,” he added.

Dr. Bandaranaike’s recommendation was “Look at the labour laws and wage system, and see what can be done to make the women join the labour force.”

“Independent corruption prosecutors as independent as our Central Bank,” was the response from Dr. de Mel.