• Ape Jana Bala Party (Our Power of People Party) Presidential candidate J.D. Keerthi Wickramaratne opines that SL should follow developed countries in focusing on industrial edu. 

Sri Lanka has often imported medicines often leading to poor quality medications coming into the country due to manufacturing and storage defects. In an interview with the Daily Morning, Ape Jana Bala Party (Our Power of People Party) Presidential candidate J.D. Keerthi Wickramaratne promises, if elected, to promote high quality manufacturers in Sri Lanka. 

Following are excerpts from the interview:

What is your policy when it comes to dealing with the economic downturn?

I want to start negotiations with foreign countries that are willing to help us pay all our debts from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loans. I also want to transform our economy into a manufacturing economy, especially focusing on our mineral industries. Most developed countries also focus on industrial education and we should do the same while inviting several other countries to partner with us. Most raw materials are imported to Sri Lanka and we manufacture goods. However, in order to make this successful, we need to develop the infrastructure needed to make products. We shouldn’t export our raw minerals in a raw form but form joint ventures where we can manufacture the goods here as well. We had a good graphite industry; however, now it is dead. We have to restart it. Sri Lanka is also a country that imports everything and we have to stop that. However, when investors come to Sri Lanka, they often find politicians asking for commissions and they get discouraged. These investors want to see an honest system in Sri Lanka. We should also focus on developing tourism, especially through attracting high-spending tourists from Europe and countries such as Japan and Taiwan. We could explore niches like eco-tourism. 

What is your opinion on Sri Lanka's agreement with the IMF? Is there any room for negotiation? 

Yes, we can negotiate. If we want, we can get 1% or even less of the interest rate for our loans.

What is your approach to dealing with the ethnic issues and calls for self-determination in the North and the East?

Everybody has to have the same rights to go and live anywhere in this country and at any time. These problems will go away once the economy is sorted out. This only happens in countries where there are economic problems and does not happen in developed countries. When I develop this country to a European standard, there will be no ethnic and religious issues. These ethnic issues were created by politicians for their own benefit and by foreign parties who interfere to steal our valuable minerals. This happened in Syria and in Libya where Muammar Gaddafi was a great guy but the people were stupid and they killed him and now you can see that they are living like beggars after living like kings under Gaddafi. We also see international schools that fail to educate children on how to be a proud citizen. This has led to ethnic and religious problems.

What is your strategy on the foreign policy, especially regarding the geo-political situation concerning India and China?

I will see our foreign relations as business opportunities and I will be independent and practise our non-aligned foreign policy. We will have friendly relations with key foreign parties such as China, India, Germany and the United States (US) and treat everyone as if they are in a similar status.

What is your take on State sector reforms including public enterprise privatisation and governance-related reforms?

The State sector does not earn foreign money so it does not have a significant contribution. Despite this, we have too many people working under the State whereas we don’t have enough staff for our private industries which contribute to earning US Dollars. Therefore, we should not give out more Government jobs. The Government sector workers would like to join the private sector; so, we should stop giving State sector jobs. Also, the Government does not pay their workers well, making it hard for the Government sector workers to live. For example, an experienced teacher at a Government school will only earn a salary of Rs. 45,000 a month. This needs to change. When I am the President, the Government employees will get a much higher salary.

What is your policy regarding education and educational reform?

We need to have industrial education taught as a part of secondary education so that students will be equipped to do technical jobs instead of competing to become a doctor or obtain a Doctor of Philosophy. We have very intelligent people in the country, however, due to the lack of training given by schools, our citizen’s study and train abroad and develop the economies of other countries. Also, there are some children who go to international schools, which are not schools at all but private companies. These schools don’t produce proud citizens. If you go to developed nations, you can see that they make children work for their country and who are proud of their country. We must model our education system on countries such as Japan where kids are encouraged to do what they prefer. After the 10th Grade, students should make a choice as to whether they want to continue with their academics or focus on technical training. There are too many people wanting to be doctors or engineers and there is a hesitancy to go for technical training and become an electrician or mechanic. I would also suggest having a pathway between the industry and the university, so that students can get technical training in a company to get practical experience. 

What is your healthcare policy?

Our healthcare system is quite good; however, sometimes, we don’t have good quality medicine, therefore, I will ensure that high quality medicine manufacturers are established in Sri Lanka. The imports that we are getting are of very low quality and are bad for our health. 

What is your policy on ensuring gender equality?

Women in Sri Lanka support their families; however, they don’t get paid well.

What is your response to your removal from the Central Provincial Public Service Commission (PSC)? 

One week before I gave the nomination, I announced my intention to run for the Presidential race to the Secretary of the Central Provincial PSC. I said that I will not be coming anymore and I sent a letter to the Governor of the Central Province, stating that I’m resigning. So, when I saw this report in the newspaper, I was surprised as to why this happened. I don’t know if this is a conspiracy but I have discussed it with my lawyers and I think that this is a mistake.