Powering provinces!

Thursday, 13 March 2014 00:37 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

First UNP provincial manifestos released at Sirikotha
Jana Bala Meheyuma to start this year: Ranil
Beginning of the end of a corrupt regime: Karu
World grows more complex, governance must keep up: Eran
UNP pledges drug free provinces if elected
Policy targets sectors based on provincial priorities

By Dharisha Bastians

The United National Party yesterday unveiled its first manifesto for a provincial election, pledging that forthcoming polls in the Southern and Western Provinces would prove catalysts for regime change in the country. Entitled ‘Bala Peraliyata Kola Eliyak’ (A green light for change) with a clever wordplay alluding to the party colour, the main Opposition released two separate policy statements for the two provinces, pledging changes in key sectors, good governance and transparency. Introducing the manifestos at a ceremony at Sirikotha yesterday, National List Legislator Eran Wickramaratne said a UNP administration in the Western Province would focus on jobs, education and an equitable health policy.

Highlights of UNP Provincial Manifestos

Right to Information legislation to be enacted provincially
Special task force on drugs
Free public transport for senior citizens
Subsidised tyres and spare parts for three-wheelers
Provincial insurance scheme covering private hospitals
Education policy to be framed based on pledge to invest 6% on education nationally
Fair wages for public servants
Board of experts/technocrats to advise and consult on policy
Reduce standard discrepancies between national and provincial schools
Incentives for enterprises hiring residents from provinces
Boats and infrastructure facilities for fishermen

“A UNP Government is one that will formulate policy based on consultations with people about their priorities,” Wickramaratne said. He charged that the ruling Government merely told the people what was good for them and the people had to live with it. The UNP pledges to make both provinces drug free if elected to office, the MP added. “The Government beats its chest about defeating terrorism. Why can’t it end the drug war? Because it is complicit,” the Opposition legislator charged in an explosive speech to candidates and party members. The UNP’s Western Province manifesto includes incentives for senior citizens, three-wheelers, fishermen and public servants. The party has also proposed a special provincial health insurance scheme to enable residents to obtain treatment in any State or private hospital of their choice. Focused on good governance, the UNP has pledged to enact Right to Information legislation in the two provinces it will run if it wins the elections on 29 March. The party has also promised to appoint a board of intellectuals and technocrats to counsel provincial governments led by the UNP on policy issues and special fields. “The world is growing increasingly complex. Governance has to keep up,” Wickramaratne said. UNP Leadership Council Chairman Karu Jayasuriya who oversaw the drafting of the two manifestos said the policy statements for the two polls had tremendous significance as it signalled the beginning of the end of a destructive political regime. “Under a UNP administration, there will be no room for corruption and deception,” Jayasuriya said. The LC Chairman added that the people of Sri Lanka had lost faith in polls manifestos after the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ had robbed them of hope. “The man who came to office on a manifesto pledging to abolish the executive presidency, not only failed to abolish the office but changed the Constitution overnight to ensure he can stay President forever,” Jayasuriya charged in a scathing indictment against the present regime. The Party’s National Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the provincial election would be the UNP’s second step towards ending the Rajapaksa regime’s tenure in office. “This party will start a series of jana bala meheyumas this year,” Wickremesinghe pledged, saying the UNP would be ready to face and win a presidential poll early next year. Calling on public servants and military personnel to vote for the UNP at the upcoming polls, Wickremesinghe said that it was ironic that the Government exploited the war victory politically while relegating soldiers to manual labour like cutting grass and sweeping roads. “All the while LTTE leaders like KP are travelling in vehicles on those same roads with Police escort, looking down at those soldiers who once fought the LTTE,” he charged.