President Maithripala Sirisena’s 100-Day Work Program
The process will begin of abolishing the authoritarian executive
presidential system and replacing it with an executive of a Cabinet of
Ministers responsible to Parliament, and of repealing the 18th Amendment
to the Constitution with legislation to establish strengthened and
independent institutions, including a Judicial Services Commission, a
Police Commission, a Public Service Commission, an Elections Commission,
a Commission against Bribery and Corruption and a Human Rights
Commission. This will be through a 19th Amendment to the Constitution,
which will be presented to Parliament and passed as swiftly as possible.
[January 2015]
Sunday January 11
A Cabinet of not more than 25 members, including members of all
political parties represented in Parliament, will be appointed with
Leader of the Opposition Ranil Wickremesinghe as Prime Minister
Monday January 12
In order to strengthen democracy, a National Advisory Council will be
set up inclusive of representatives of parties represented in Parliament
as well as Civil Society organizations.
Monday January 19
Parliament will meet
Tuesday January 20
The Standing Orders will be amended and, in terms of Proposal 67/10
now tabled in Parliament, Oversight Committees will be set up comprising
members of Parliament who are not in the Cabinet will be established and
their Chairmanship will be given to representatives of all Ministers in
consultation with the leaders of all parties represented in Parliament.
Wednesday January 21
The process will begin of abolishing the authoritarian executive
presidential system and replacing it with an executive of a Cabinet of
Ministers responsible to Parliament, and of repealing the 18th Amendment
to the Constitution with legislation to establish strengthened and
independent institutions, including a Judicial Services Commission, a
Police Commission, a Public Service Commission, an Elections Commission,
a Commission against Bribery and Corruption and a Human Rights
Commission.
This will be through a 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which will
be presented to Parliament and passed as swiftly as possible.
Wednesday January 28
An all party committee will be set up to put forward proposals to
replace the current Preference Vote system and replace it with an Mixed
Electoral System that ensures representation of individual Members for
Parliamentary Constituencies, with mechanisms for proportionality.
Tuesday January 29
A Vote on Account will be introduced in Parliament to implement
special measures to provide relief to the people by reducing the rising
Cost of Living.
Thursday January 22
A Code of Conduct will be introduced for observation by all
representatives of the People.
Wednesday January 30
Salaries will be raised and direct and indirect taxes on necessary
goods and services will be reduced.
February 2015
Monday February 2
An Ethical Code of Conduct will be introduced legally for all
representatives of the people.
Thursday February 4
Independence Day will be celebrated with re-establishment of
Democracy and Good Governance and the Sovereignty of the People.
Thursday February 5
Special Commissions will be appointed to investigate allegations of
massive corruption in the preceding period
Friday February 6
A Bill to implement the National Drugs policy will be tabled,
following adoption of the Policy by Cabinet.
Wednesday February 18
Independent Commissions will be established and required appointments
made
Thursday February 19
The National Audit Bill will be introduced and passed within 3 weeks
Friday February 20
The Right to Information Bill will be introduced and passed within 3
weeks
March 2015
Monday March 2
New elections laws will be prepared in accordance with the proposals
put forward by the all party committee
Tuesday March 17
Amendments to change the system of elections will be placed before
Parliament and passed as swiftly as possible
Wednesday March 18
The National Drugs Policy will be passed by Parliament
Thursday March 19
The National Audit Bill will be passed by Parliament
Friday March 20
The Right to Information Act will be passed by Parliament
Monday March 23
The Constitutional Council will be set up and the process of making
appointments to and establishing Independent Commissions will begin
April 2015
Monday April 20
A Parliamentary system will be put in place instead of the Executive
Presidential system.
Thursday April 23
Parliament will be dissolved and free and fair elections held under a
caretaker government.
Following that election, the Prime Minister will be appointed from
the party getting the highest number of seats at such election, with a
Deputy Prime Minister from the party getting the next highest number.
A National Government of all parties represented in Parliament will
be established to govern for a period of at least two years.
Under that government a National Policy Framework will be formulated
to deal with the principal challenges the country faces, and a political
culture will be developed to act in accordance with that Framework.
The nation is suffering from authoritarianism, and decisions taken by
a few family members with no consultation of or care for the people.
The destruction of ethical and socio-cultural values has led to grave
suffering, through massive waste and abuse and corruption and absolute
impunity. We need therefore to provide immediate relief to those who are
oppressed, and embark on social and economic reforms that will restore
normalcy and lead to prosperity for all.
1. The salaries of public servants will be raised by Rs 10,000 a
month. Immediate relief will be provided by a payment of Rs 5,000 in
February. A consolidated salary scheme will be put in place then, to
cover all arrears
2. Full relief will be provided on the loans given to public servants
for the purchase of motor cycles. Those who have paid previously will be
refunded.
3. Graduates from whom virtual slave labour is obtained will be given
regular appointments in a systematic fashion, and opportunities for
promotion will be provided in accordance with suitable criteria.
4. An allowance of Rs 5,000 will be paid to pensioners, pending
adjustment of anomalies in pensions.
5. Rs 1 million of the deposits in State Banks of each pensioner will
receive interest of 15%.
6. The Samurdhi Allowance will be increased to 200% of the present
rate to a maximum of Rs 2,000.
7. Pregnant mothers will be given an allowance of Rs 20,000 to
supplement nourishment.
8. Excessive taxes will be lowered to reduce prices on ten essential
food items. At the same time, special provisions will be put in place
for protection of those producing such goods locally.
9. The current excessive taxes on fuel, amounting to around Rs 40
billion a year, will be removed and the benefits of this reduction in
cost will be passed on to consumers.
10. The efficiency of both state and private transport services for
the public will be improved through providing appropriate incentives to
the transport sector.
11.The price of a cylinder of domestic gas will be reduced by Rs 300.
12.The guaranteed purchase price for a kilogramme of rice will be Rs
50.
13.The guaranteed purchase price for a kilogramme of potatoes will be
Rs 80.
14.The guaranteed purchase price for a kilogramme of tea leaves will
be between Rs 80 and 90.
15.The guaranteed purchase price for rubber will be Rs 350 per
kilogramme.
16. The guaranteed purchase price paid to dairy farmers for a litre
of milk will be raised by Rs 10 from the present Rs 60.
17. Relief of 50% will be provided on loans taken by farmers, and the
remainder will be compounded to allow for payment on easy terms.
18. The low quality fertilizer that threatens life as well as soil
and produce will be replaced by fertilizer of better quality that
conforms to regular standards
19. Instead of low quality fertilizer tea smallholders will be
provided with fertilizer of better quality that conforms to regular
standards
20. Compensation of Rs 1 million will be paid to fishermen who lose
their lives at sea through an insurance scheme with state contributions
21. An insurance scheme for crops will be introduced for farmers with
state contributions
22. A new pensions scheme will be introduced for farmers and
fishermen.
23. A pensions scheme will be introduced for Three Wheeler Drivers,
Masons and Carpenters and those engaged in small scale retail trade and
other informal occupations.
24. A pensions scheme will be introduced for migrant workers, and the
interest on their NRFC deposits will be increased by 2 ½%.
25. A programme will be put in place to ensure support and protection
for the families of migrant workers in the Middle East and elsewhere who
provide an invaluable service to the country through their labour
26. Relief will be provided on the interest and penalties payable on
pawned gold items upto a value of Rs 200,000
27. Measures will be taken to provide relief to those caught in a
debt trap though falling prey to various promises made by finance
companies, credit card scams and pyramid schemes
28. New laws will be put in place to prevent abuse of women, abuse of
children and sexual harassment of women and measures taken to ensure
that women and children can live without fear in Sri Lanka, with
responsibility undertaken to enforce the laws effectively
29. Measures will be put in place to protect those of all races
widowed during the conflict, and their families.
30. So as to increase the participation of women in political
decision making, legislation will be introduced to ensure at least 25%
of women’s representation in Provincial Councils and Local Government
bodies.
31.To fully overcome the unemployment problem that affects our young
people, we will put in place a million jobs programme for local and
foreign employment and for self-employment
32. We will strengthen provisions that enable young people to hold
opinions and express them freely, and illustrate them creatively, and to
freely enjoy the rights associated with youth
33. Wi-fi will be made available free of charge in Centres in every
town to facilitate Internet access
34. The Youth Parliament will be given financial powers to implement
projects relating to youth proposed by the Youth Council and other youth
organizations, and will receive an allocation of Rs 250 million for this
purpose for 2015.
35. Those engaged in Small and Medium Industries who have fallen into
a debt trap and been blacklisted by CRIB, and those who suffer the same
because of credit card debts, will be relieved from this through an easy
repayment scheme.
36. Instead of the hijacking of the economy by a few individuals
engaged in deals with regard to casinos and drugs and ethanol, we will
develop a national business sector working towards the prosperity of the
country, in particular by establishing schemes of credit on easy terms
for Small and Medium Enterprises.
37. To develop more jobs and increase exports we will regain the GSP+
provisions that were lost
38. We will review the current programme to integrate finance
companies and banks
39. An institution will be established to regulate and develop
micro-finance
40.A Bureau will be set up to protect Small Enterprises.
41. To promote the Trishaw business, a government office will be set
up inclusive of Trishaw drivers and the banking sector.
42.We will set out to raise to 3% the current 1.8% allocated for the
free Health Service.
43.All drugs needed by patients attending government hospitals will
be made available without shortages in those very hospitals.
44.An intensive programme will be implemented to swiftly get through
the waiting lists for patients at government hospitals.
45.Government hospitals will offer services to out patients until 10
pm every day.
46. We will put a stop pending investigation into import of
fertilizer and chemical substances suspected of contributing to kidney
disease, while immediately preparing plans for short term and long term
measures to deal with the problem, and ensuring their implementation.
47. Steps will be taken to put in place an effective institution to
regulate trade in food items, cosmetics, drugs and other essential
items.
48. Steps will be taken to strengthen ayurvedic health services
49. Measures will be taken to efficiently coordinate services in
Western, Eastern and Indigenous medicine and provide a unified service
to the people
50.We will set in place a programme to systematically eliminate the
drug menace, that includes heroin and ganja, and institute with
international support a comprehensive, quick and effective
rehabilitation scheme for youngsters addicted to these substances.
51. A special consolidated Task Force will be set in place to deal
with drug abuse
52. Pictorial warnings with regard to the dangers of smoking will be
increased to 80%.
53.Casino businesses which were granted excessive tax relief in
opposition to the advice of the Mahanayakes and the views of the people
will have their licenses revoked.
54. We will put a stop to the Ethanol scam which avoided payment of
required taxes.
55. We will set out to raise to 6% the current 1.7% allocated for
free Education.
56. Powers with regard to universities which are now exercised by the
Minister will be restored to the universities through the University
Grants Commission, and the politicization of the universities will be
halted.
57. Mahapola scholarships at universities will be raised to Rs 5,000.
58. Provision will be made for all those who qualify in three
subjects at Advanced Level to study towards obtaining a degree or
diploma
59. A fair scheme for admission to Grade 1 will be instituted and
implemented transparently. Those who have suffered from abuse in this
regard will be provided with immediate relief.
60. Delays in admitting students to schools will be stopped and all
students will be guaranteed entry to Grade 1 at the beginning of the
school year
61. The Circular regarding religious education in schools will be
made applicable to all schools, and a committee with representation of
all religions will be established to monitor its implementation
62. International schools will be made subject to monitoring by the
State.
63. Current excessive taxes on fishing boats, nets, equipment and
engines will be removed.
64. We will put a stop to the incursions of foreign boats into our
national waters.
65. Measures will be taken to revive the European Union market from
which our fish is now being excluded.
66. A Meteorological Inquiry service will be established to provide
accurate information immediately to fishermen with regard to storms and
other dangers.
67. Immediate steps will be taken to repair irrigation channels that
have fallen into disuse.
68. Immediate steps will be taken to clear up reservoirs that have
silted up.
69.The heroic members of the armed forces who are deployed in menial
work such as cutting grass, sweeping roads and clearing drains will go
back to only fulfilling the regular duties appropriate to the forces.
70. The present politicization with regard to promotions in the
police force will be replaced with a transparent scheme based on
capacity, skills, commitment and efficiency.
71.The seniority of officers of the regular police force will be
safeguarded and any irregularities arising from integration of the
auxiliary police force into the regular police force will be corrected.
72. There will be an immediate stop to using members of the armed
forces for the protection of Ministers and politicians and their family
members.
Police protection will be provided in accordance with clear
specifications, and the practice of Ministers and politicians
inconveniencing the public by travelling with security vehicles will be
halted.
73. Steps will be taken to provide land ownership and proper housing
to plantation workers instead of their current confinement in line rooms
74. Facilities will be provided in schools for the children of
plantation workers in the Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Matale and
Kegalle Districts to have access to education in the Tamil medium upto
university level including in Science.
75. Relief will be provided to all those illegally displaced for
various reasons from their homes and lands.
76. The value will be calculated of the housing and land of which
residents of Colombo have been deprived, and that will be deducted from
the housing loans they are now paying.
77. A programme will be implemented swiftly to provide housing to the
hundreds of thousands who have no shelter.
78. A democratic civil administration will be put in place in North
and South
79.Through legal and social means steps will be taken to prevent
actions and speech that lead to denigration of other races and religions
and of religious leaders, and spread hatred between those of different
races and religions.
80. Protection will be provided to all places of religious worship.
81. National and Local Councils of religious leaders will be set up
to promote reconciliation between those of different religions and work
effectively against the spread of religious animosities.
82. Measures will be taken to preserve and protect archaeological
sites.
83. Outlets for alcohol will be removed from the vicinity of places.
of religious worship ncluding the Temple of the Tooth, and car races in
those areas will be stopped.
84. Proposed amendments to the Buddhist Temporalities Act will be
finalized after consultation of the Heads of Buddhist Orders to obtain
their advice and guidance and approval.
85. A programme will commence to develop pirivena education and train
teachers for religious instruction.
86. The foundation will be laid for an International University which
will also work towards raising educational standards at pirivenas to
international standards.
87. Laws will be passed swiftly to put a stop to ill-treatment of
animals.
88. Hindrances to the work of Civil Society groups concerned with
economic and social development, environmental issues, and with issues
of Good Governance and Human Rights, will be removed
89. A culture will be established that safeguards and values the
independence and artistic integrity of practitioners of the arts.
90. Both immediate and long term measures will be taken to safeguard
the independence of media personnel and institutions.
91. The Right to Freedom of Thought and Expression will be
strengthened.
92. Parliamentary proceedings will be telecast live.
93. Since Sri Lanka is not a signatory to the Rome Statute regarding
international jurisdiction with regard to war crimes, ensuring justice
with regard to such matters will be the business of national independent
judicial mechanisms.
94. Their positions and rights will be restored to victims of
political revenge and punishments, including former Army Commander
General Sarath Fonseka, and 43rd Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake.
95. A respected Foreign Service free of political interference will
be re-established
96. Areas designated by law as Environmentally Protected Lands will
be protected and care taken to safeguard their boundaries.
97. Areas of environmental importance which are now subject to
threats of destruction will be further identified and necessary steps
taken to protect them.
98. Steps will be taken, using contemporary international
technological knowledge, to restore areas of environmental importance
that have been harmed or are suffering threats.
99. The Wild Life Protection Ordinance will be effectively
implemented without fear or favour.
100. It will be compulsory to have an Environmental Assessment Study
at the very inception of any development projects. |