Namal Rajapaksa unveils election manifesto

Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reviews the SLPP manifesto alongside party leaders during its launch event ahead of the 2024 Presidential election. Seated beside him are SLPP MP Gamini Lokuge, SLPP Presidential hopeful Namal Rajapaksa, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam and SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa - Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Presidential candidate Namal Rajapaksa launched his election manifesto titled “Namal Dekma” (Namal’s Vision) at the ITC Ratnadeepa Hotel in Colombo yesterday.

The event was attended by former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with former ministers Chamal Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa, Johnston Fernando and Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. 

Rajapaksa’s manifesto outlines four primary areas of focus: State priorities, innovation, investment, and independence.

He pledged to eliminate fraud and corruption within three years of assuming office. Key strategies to achieve this include the digitalisation of State services, the introduction of competitive bidding for Government procurement, and converting the ‘gray economy’ into a ‘white economy.’

The manifesto proposes the issuance of a digital ID within the first six months of Rajapaksa’s Presidency, aimed at addressing inefficiencies and reducing public queues. Competitive bidding will be implemented to enhance transparency in procurement processes, and economic activities will be integrated into the banking system to combat corruption. Rajapaksa emphasised the goal of doubling Sri Lanka’s GDP from its current $ 85 billion to $ 180 billion within the next decade. His plan includes creating two million direct and indirect jobs and modernising the Samurdhi movement. He also aims to transform Sri Lanka into an energy-exporting nation with a focus on green hydrogen.

Addressing the issue of taxation, Rajapaksa promised to reform the Value Added Tax (VAT) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Tax systems, aiming to reduce the public’s tax burden and lower the cost of living. Additionally, he plans to rectify issues within the Customs, Inland Revenue, and Excise Departments to increase Government revenue.

Rajapaksa concluded his address by reaffirming his commitment to developing Sri Lanka into the most advanced nation in Asia, focusing on innovation and responsible governance.