President Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressing Parliament

• Says massive endorsement for SLPP at General Election show people impressed with governance of last 9 months
• Out-of-the-box thinking to revitalise economy with more people-centric approach to development
• Removal of 19A to be followed with drafting of new constitution
• Changes to electoral system on cards while retaining salutary aspects of proportional representation
• Vows to enforce law against those involved in fraud and corrupt actions irrespective of status of perpetrators
• Advises Ministers, State Ministers, MPs not to lose touch with their electors
• Extends hand of friendship to all to join him in building prosperous nation

By Chandani Kirinde

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday spelled out the priorities for the Government in his address to the inaugural session of the new Parliament, which include out-of-the-box thinking policies to revitalise the economy, a new Constitution based on the concept of one country, one law for all people and a crackdown on fraud and corruption.

The President, who presided over the ceremonial sitting of the House held last afternoon, also said that the massive mandate given to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was an endorsement of the direction in which he had steered the country in the past nine months.

“The historic mandate received by SLPP has proven that people are impressed with the way we have governed the country during the past nine months despite various obstacles. People appreciate the change taking place in the political culture of this country,” he said.

Reiterating that the people had given the Government the mandate it wanted for a constitutional amendment, the President said the first task would be to remove the 19th Amendment to the Constitution.

“Our Constitution, which has been amended 19 times, from its inception in 1978, has many ambiguities and uncertainties, presently resulting in confusion. All of us will get together to formulate a new constitution suitable for the country. In this, the priority will be given to the concept of ‘one country, one law’ for all the people,” he said.

While introducing a new constitution, the President noted that it was essential to make changes to the current electoral system. “While retaining the salutary aspects of the proportional representation system, changes will be made to ensure stability of the Parliament and people’s direct representation.”

He also promised to eradicate waste and corruption and enforce the law against anyone who was engaged in fraud and corrupt practices irrespective of their status.

“We will take steps to completely eradicate waste and corruption in all the ministries and institutions. In future I will not hesitate to enforce the law against those who are involved in fraud and corrupt actions, irrespective of the status of any such perpetrators,” he said.

The President also underscored the need to think anew on the economic front. “In order to overcome both local and global challenges and revive the economy, we will have to adopt new ways of thinking. Out-of-the-box thinking is required to meet the economic challenges. This time, the ministries have been formed with this thought in mind.”

The President requested the newly-appointed Ministers and State Ministers to take steps to provide fast and efficient service to the public via ministries, departments and institutions that come under their purview.

“You should identify new methods to provide efficient, speedy and convenient service to the public instead of continuing with prevailing traditional methods. You need to re-engineer the processes for greater productivity and customer satisfaction. We should find new technological solutions in this regard.”

The President said he would review the progress of the achievement of the goals of the Government implemented through ministries and the public sector and said if they failed to achieve set targets, he would not hesitate to effect necessary changes to implement policies of the Government.

“In the current political culture, most people’s representatives, after they get elected, neglect the prime duty of going to the people. When I travelled around the country in the recent past, this was confirmed by the people who voiced their grievance on this matter. Henceforth, Ministers and State Ministers as well as Members of Parliament will fulfil this expectation of the people by visiting them often to understand their issues and find solutions to their issues.”

The President also said that the time had come for all to join hands for the sake of the country irrespective of race, religion or party differences and extended his hand of friendship to everyone to join him in building a prosperous nation.

Debate on policy statement today

VOA before P’ment today; 2-day debate next week