Only a slight difference can be observed between the Presidential Election manifesto of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the 2019 election manifesto of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, said Matale District SJB MP Rohini Kaviratne commenting on the JVP-led NPP Presidential Election manifesto titled ‘Prosperous country – beautiful life.’
“This is not an election manifesto, but a set of election promises made to steal votes from the people. It does not include methods of reaching a solid national policy,” said MP Kaviratne addressing a public rally held in support of SJB leader and Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, in Naula, Matale.
“Economy, health and food security are vital areas of a country. But this manifesto does not indicate strategic moves with practical targets and quantitative proofs that are planned in a specific time period.
An election manifesto at least should mention planned projects to be implemented within the first year. Nothing mentioned of a dated work plan for 2025. Revenue generation methods should be indicated. This is just a fairy tale. This would be ideal to be awarded at the 2024 State Literary Festival for the best fiction.
Whether we like it or not, at the moment, our economy is tied to the International Monetary Fund. Deviating from this would again lead to non-availability of LPG gas, fuel and the other essentials. Anyone who read this would clearly understand that JVP has no economic policy.
Look at the Maldives today – trying to sail the opposite direction today, the Maldives has collapsed without funds to purchase fuel. Two years ago, Bangladesh extended a loan to Sri Lanka, but today it has become a headless state. Pakistan has collapsed. Today, in Bangladesh, schools are run by children who have not even completed education. If the state power goes to this, the same will happen in our country.
When the JVP loses the contest, they will understand that the strategies of Sajith Premadasa and the team is correct.
In the rainy season, monkeys build temporary shelters in the trees, and like that JVP is printing and distributing some promises.
In 2025, what needs to be implemented in Sri Lanka is stabilising debt – there is no mention of it in the JVP book of promises. If this nonsense gets implemented the IMF will abandon us and we will not get the loan in December, again leading to non-availability of essentials.
We have to decide only one – whether we are willing to return to the que culture in the absence of essential items or trust in Sajith Premadasa for a prosperous future.