President Anura Kumara Dissanayake remarked that the “Clean Sri Lanka” program can only succeed with the active participation of the general public.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed these views while participating in the ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat today (01) to launch the “Clean Sri Lanka” program.
Speaking further, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated the following:
We believe that as 2024 ends and we step into 2025, it signifies the beginning of a new year, the dawn of a fresh start. However, despite decades of such transitions in our country, the question before us remains whether we have renewed ourselves for the better. Have we been renewing ourselves for the good and moving forward year after year? Or have we been renewing ourselves for the worse? The question before us is whether we have been renewing ourselves for the good and progressing year after year. Therefore, we have a firm determination to transform our country with this new year. We recognize this challenge and accept the responsibility.
To fulfill this, my cabinet, the deputy ministers, the entire political authority, and I are committed.
This year dawns with the beginning of a new political culture for our country. We are laying the foundation needed to build this nation. We have abolished the corrupt political culture of waste, nepotism, the abuse of power against the people, and the creation of politicians above the law. We have initiated a new political culture that prioritizes the interests of the people to overcome the challenges of this new year. Regarding our economy, we know it collapsed to a severely bankrupt level over the past few years. We have achieved some surface-level stability in the economy. Officially, in the latter half of last year, we managed to emerge from bankruptcy. For this, the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, the Governor of the Central Bank, and the political authorities have worked very hard. While we have achieved some economic stability on the surface, this is not sufficient.
We are prepared to implement the necessary economic agenda to address the problems embedded within our economic framework in this new year. Additionally, our country has faced various security threats over time. However, we can say with great pride that we have ensured the nation’s security effectively. For example, as you may recall, there were reports of a planned attack centered on Arugam Bay last year. Our police, intelligence services, and armed forces acted swiftly and decisively, establishing stability and restoring confidence in national security. Furthermore, we have started working rigorously to re-establish the rule of law in our country.
For too long, the rule of law has been ignored. Criminals have risen above the law. Corruption has flourished unchecked. Political authorities have violated the law and the Constitution at will. The Supreme Court has ruled that former presidents of our country violated the Constitution on multiple occasions. In a state where the highest citizen breaches the Constitution, how can we talk about the rule of law? Therefore, we are striving diligently to restore and strengthen the rule of law. Additionally, bribery, corruption, fraud, and waste have infiltrated the state and political apparatus and are pervasive throughout society. This corruption has spread like cancer throughout the nation. We must work tirelessly to eradicate this corruption and fraud. The Attorney General’s Department has a crucial role in this endeavor.
We trust that the Attorney General’s Department will provide the necessary support to fulfill its role effectively. Similarly, the Criminal Investigation Department and the judiciary have significant responsibilities in transforming Sri Lanka into a state free from corruption and fraud.
We are confident in their efforts. However, the example set by the political authority alone will not suffice if the relevant state institutions fail to understand their responsibilities and contribute to the necessary changes. Therefore, I urge the officials from these institutions to provide the required support. To construct a strong building or initiate a robust project, a solid foundation is essential. Our nation has lost its foundation—a country that has lost its foundations.
Nevertheless, we have successfully completed the groundwork to a significant extent. We have laid the essential foundation to rebuild this country. Political authority, the state apparatus, adherence to the rule of law, respect and protection of the Constitution, and the eradication of fraud, corruption, and bribery form the foundation required to move this country forward. We are systematically and rapidly constructing this foundation. The benefits of the robust economy built on this foundation must be passed on to our citizens. As a result, we are steering our state and government with three primary objectives. The first is to liberate our country and citizens.
We aim to implement the economic reforms necessary to ensure that the benefits of the economy reach the rural population. A concentrated economy that benefits only a small group cannot bring stability to society. Such an economy fosters instability for the nation and its people. Therefore, creating economic stability requires distributing the benefits of growth to the rural populace. The forthcoming budget will mark the start of an economic program designed to eradicate poverty. Our second goal is to digitize the country. By digitalizing, we aim to enable citizens to engage with the state more efficiently. Our third major initiative is the “Clean Sri Lanka” project. This program is not limited to cleaning the environment but extends to restoring our nation’s decayed social fabric.
Our ecosystem is invaluable, and Sri Lanka is often praised for its beauty. However, in 2023, 484 elephants were killed, and 181 people lost their lives due to the human-elephant conflict. In addition, floods and landslides displaced many people, caused loss of life, and inflicted severe economic damage. Restoring our ecosystem must be a priority within the Clean Sri Lanka program.
Our society also requires a new value system. Many citizens fail to value their own lives. In 2023, 595 people drowned, and 2,321 died in vehicle accidents. These statistics reveal a society with little regard for life—both their own and others. This must change. The Clean Sri Lanka program seeks to instill a new core system and value structure within society. Vehicle accidents must be minimized, and citizens must actively contribute to this change. If they do not, we are prepared to enforce the law.
Food safety is another concern. Citizens should have confidence in the food they consume. Providing toxin-free food is a state responsibility, and this has been incorporated into the Clean Sri Lanka program. Additionally, societal care for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and disabled, is crucial. Excluding them from society creates injustice. A society lacking compassion and care cannot prosper.
Respect for public property must also be revived. Public assets should be preserved for future generations. The responsibility to protect these resources lies with everyone. The Clean Sri Lanka program addresses this need for a renewed sense of stewardship.
We have also established a Presidential Task Force comprising 18 voluntary members. A Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat will be set up to oversee this initiative, supported by local councils extending to villages. This program is not short-term but an ongoing effort to adapt to changing global conditions. A dedicated fund will support this initiative, and citizens can contribute to its success. A supervisory board under the Ministry of Finance will ensure proper management.
This collective effort will be the foundation for a better future. Together, we can create a prosperous, united Sri Lanka. The opportunity to rise as a nation is now in our hands. Let us seize it with determination and unity.
Presidential Media Division
