Sri Lankan president starts implementing poll promises after coming to power

Sri Lanka’s newly appointed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has started to implement his party’s poll promises after coming to power.

In a major decision, Dissanayake on Thursday approved the re-introduction of the old visa system and also hinted at the introduction of pro-poor policies in the coming days.

Dissanayake has also directed the allocation of luxury vehicles, used by the government authorities, for essential services.

“No parent in this country should have to worry about their child’s future. Every parent deserves the right to provide their child with access to quality schools and education. We are fully committed to securing the future of the next generation by ensuring excellent education for all children. By fostering knowledge, attitudes, and skills, we are building a promising future for the young generation of our country,” he said in a post on X.

“Advised to allocate luxury vehicles used by previous administrations to essential services,” he said in another post on X.

Dissanayake further advised Sri Lanka’s Treasury Department to introduce a fuel subsidy scheme for people involved in aquaculture starting from October 1.

He directed the Treasury to increase the fertilizer subsidy for paddy farmers from 15,000 Sri Lankan Rupees per hectare to 25,000 Sri Lankan Rupees from October 1.

The president also called a meeting with officials from the Ministry of Power and Energy, emphasising the importance of maintaining adequate fuel reserves to ensure uninterrupted supply for the public and the need to develop a plan for the swift allocation of 800 solar panels received as part of Indian aid to the Ministry of Power and Energy.

During the meeting, Dissanayake also addressed Sri Lanka’s debt situation. He emphasised the urgency of accelerating projects under the Ministry of Power, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and foreign loans, along with forming a committee to approve foreign-funded projects within three months.

He also ordered expediting rural development projects and promptly establishing a mechanism for funds to reach the villages.

“Regardless of whether one identifies as Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, or Malay, our nation will not thrive until we create a practical environment where everyone can proudly say, “We are Sri Lankan citizens.” We will not hesitate to implement the necessary constitutional, economic, and political reforms,” the newly-elected President said in a post on X.

Dissanayake, 56, was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s ninth president by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya at the Presidential Secretariat earlier this week.

Dissanayake won the election, obtaining 5.74 million votes, with 105,264 preferences. Premadasa got 4.53 million votes with 167,867 preferences.

His anti-corruption message and his promise of a change in political culture resonated strongly with young voters who had been demanding system change since the economic crisis.