Sajith unveils “A win for all” manifesto in Kandy 

• SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne claims SJS manifesto was result of two years of consultations with experts and academics
• Says SJS manifesto is focused on building SL and not just electioneering
• Details SJS’s plan to implement a social market economy, prioritising private sector and entrepreneurs, with programs to support low-income families, children, pregnant mothers, and senior citizens

Samagi Jana Sand-hanaya (SJS) Presidential hopeful Sajith Premadasa officially unveiled the SJS’s Presidential election manifesto titled “A Win for All” in Kandy yesterday by presenting the first copies to the Mahanayake Theros of the Malwathu and Asgiri Chapters at the Sri Dalada Maligawa. 

Premadasa presented the copies after engaging in Buddhist religious observances and receiving blessings from the Theras.

SJS leaders held a press conference where MPs Eran Wickramaratne, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Dullas Alahapperuma, and Dr. Harsha de Silva were left to elaborate on the alliance’s manifesto. However, SJB Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa was notably absent from the event.

The party said Premadasa’s election manifesto will be released to the business community and the public on 4 September 2024 where he is set to make an appearance. 

Similar to the NPP which revealed its manifesto on 26 August, SJS member Wickramaratne also claimed their manifesto was the result of two years of consultations with experts and academics. He also claimed the party’s manifesto was not one created aimed at elections, and said it is instead a manifesto with the goals of building the country and forming a Government.

Wickramaratne rejected the notion that previous Governments have ruined Sri Lanka, pointing out that the country still leads in education and health sectors compared to other nations in the region.

He acknowledged Sri Lanka’s troubled economy since 2022 but noted that the country is now on a positive path, adhering to the IMF agreement and moving forward. Wickramaratne highlighted that certain targets and percentages outlined in the IMF agreement have been met.

However, he stressed the dire situation faced by many, stating that before Sri Lanka declared bankruptcy, only 3 million people were below the poverty line, but this number has now risen to 7 million. “People are under immense pressure. Inflation has surged over 70%, and the prices of essentials have doubled or even tripled,” he observed.

He said the SJB Government will adhere to a social democracy framework. Wickramaratne explained that the SJS Government would implement a social market economy, prioritising the private sector and entrepreneurs to drive product creation and wealth generation. He highlighted that the manifesto includes programs to support low-income families, particularly protecting children and pregnant mothers, as well as initiatives to safeguard the welfare of the country’s senior citizens.

MP Patali Champika Ranawaka also addressed the press briefing. He said Premadasa would seek to maintain the current fiscal stability which would support economic growth. He also promised the SJS leader would ensure the establishment of social justice. 

Ranawaka criticised the Theravada Market Economic segment in President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s presidential manifesto. Ranawaka criticised Wickremesinghe’s approach, stating that while there are principles within the Theravada Buddhist economic framework aimed at maintaining economic integrity, Wickremesinghe’s policies protect those responsible for the country’s bankruptcy while shifting the burden onto ordinary citizens – an approach that he claimed is contrary to Buddhist principles. Ranawaka said the SJS policy will be to place the burden on those who can bear it.

He denied accusations that the SJB had copied segments from the NPP’s Presidential manifesto, instead accusing the NPP of copying from the SJS. He warned that if power were to shift to the NPP, the country would face bankruptcy, emphasising that only the SJS has the team capable of rebuilding Sri Lanka.