The United National Party (UNP) today unveiled its general election manifesto today at the party headquarters.
UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe speaking at the ceremony said that the party will be able to secure funds amounting to $ 6 b from international lending agencies to stabilize the economy.
Amoung other promises were to provide a relief on electricity, water bills and re-instate public sector allowances and pension payments that have been suspended by the current government.
He said the party hopes to provide Rs. 10,000 monthly allowance to around 1 million who have lost their jobs.
"Following the collapse of the economy the government did not provide relief to the public."
"The government has clearly failed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The country cannot go forward without controlling the virus," Wickremesinghe added.
The party has also promised it will install 2000 ventilators to fight the coronavirus.
The UNP manifesto would focus on a few salient issues as a solution to reviving the economy that is affected by the Covid-19 pandemic at both national and global levels.
Their foremost concern is to ensure the country is not hit by a second wave of pandemic. Below are excerpts of the UNP general election manifesto.
- Winning the support of the international community
- Ensuring the democratic freedoms enjoyed by our citizens are protected and promoted
- Empowering the future generations are empowered with knowledge and skills of the 21st Century
- Building a united, likeminded, and peaceful nation in order to preserve the Sri Lankan identity. The need of the hour is a country that has discarded the divisions of the past
- Immediately provide relief to the people by improving their financial situation and safeguarding jobs and income. Helping the self-employed and providing relief to the unemployed
- The party promises to pay an allowance of Rs. 10,000 a month for the recently unemployed including people returning from overseas employment
- Restoring the remuneration allowances of government employees
- A moratorium on Enterprise Sri Lanka loans below Rs. 50 million
- A payment of Rs. 10,000 to families affected by a lockdown
- Private sector employees making payment to their workers will be eligible for support
- Export enterprises will be supported
- There will also be a special package to regain overseas markets, including:
- Provide financial assistance to the youth to help develop their entrepreneurial skills, providing them with greater opportunities to enter a sustainable workforce
- Offer concessionary loans to three-wheel vehicle owners, allowing them to purchase motor vehicles
- A package for leasing companies in lieu of payment for three-wheeler owners
- New laws will be introduced to help protect businesses from bankruptcy due to lockdown caused by Covid-19
- Safety net for banks with refinancing and similar schemes
- Laws will be introduced, making it mandatory for leasing companies to prepare their agreements in either Sinhala or Tamil languages
- Liquidity and currency circulation in the local economy will be expanded by the payment of arrears and unpaid bills of contractors and service providers to the Government