Gota launches manifesto, will not allow foreign countries to intervene in Lanka's affairs

Presidential candidate Gotabahaya Rajapaksa, in his manifesto, released today (Oct 25) emphasized that he would not allow foreign countries to meddle in the internal affairs of Sri Lanka under his rule.

 “We will not allow any foreign force to intervene unnecessarily into the affairs of Sri Lanka which is a sovereign state,” the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate asserted in his address.

His manifesto was revealed a short while ago at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in Colombo this morning.

Mr. Rajapaksa stressed that he would give prominence to ensure national security, once voted into power.

“We will strengthen the state apparatus to protect the country from terrorists, underworld groups, criminals, drug racketeers, and foreign threats,” the SLPP candidate declared.

He pledged to implement a common law to eradicate corruption in the country, and introduce reforms impacting the judicial system, to expedite the process of serving justice.

(Pics by Indika Handuwala)

The SLPP candidate said he aims to transform Sri Lanka into “a commercial hub in South Asia”, through a knowledge based economy, by uplifting the educational standards of the youth.

“We will develop the youth to facilitate demand for them in the local and international job market,” he noted, adding that his government would increase financial allocations towards the education sector to achieve this goal.

Rajapaksa said he would uplift the fisheries and agriculture sectors, to attract the youth towards those industries.

Speaking on economic lines, the candidate noted that he would introduce a new “simplified” tax policy that would see the reduction and removal of certain taxes.

“We will cancel PAYE taxes imposed on employees in the state and private sector employees,” he announced.

Among other key reforms, he said was the reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on imported goods upto eight percent, and removal of taxes levied on religious places of worship.

He pledged to technically equip the Customs, and Excise Departments to resolve issues in collecting tax payments.

The SLPP candidate said he hopes to generate more than a million job opportunities over the next five years across several sectors including tourism, IT, construction, transport, health, education, and sports.

“We will especially develop the tourism industry to generate a revenue of USD 10 billion a year for the country,” Rajapaksa aimed.

He promised to ban the re-exportation of produce and encourage organic farming in the country, by providing free fertilizer for farmers.

Among other key promises he made without elaborating were to facilitate longer working hours for mothers from home, scientifically resolve waste management issues, and increase the usage of renewable energy sources.

(Pix below by Priyantha Wickramarachchi)