National People’s Power — Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
The following series of questions and answers have been prepared based on the questions that have arisen in the discussions regarding the social focus of the National People’s Power. Some hesitations and questions arise from those who are thinking of joining the National People’s Power as well as those who are already associated with the National People’s Power. The answers below will instil some kind of clarity and self-confidence in both groups. These questions and answers explain the program and the policies of the National People’s Power, how it fits into the current political moment, and the importance of our contribution to the victory of the National People’s Power.
1.What is the National Peoples’ Power?
The NPP is a political movement. It is a space created for those who want to bring about a positive structural change and a system change in the Sri Lankan society. Without being limited to electoral politics, it seeks a holistic social change through the empowerment of people. Developing the country by freeing Sri Lanka from the clutches of a minority elite who dominate politics, the state, business and media and who are responsible for Sri Lanka’s current sad fate is the intention of the NPP.
3.What kind of Sri Lanka does NPP envisage.
We think it is pertinent and more meaningful to describe the country we aspire to by describing the nature of the society we like to create, rather than giving it a conventional label such as capitalist, socialist or social democratic.
The fundamental characteristics of the Sri Lanka we aspire to are as follows.
- The prevailing corrupt political culture will be decisively changed by a disciplined, organised and non-corrupt NPP led administration. The lack of corruption in the administration will bring a broad range of benefits to the wider society and will provide a basis for rapid development.
- The economic model will be a one based on state and private sector contributions.
- Whilst maintaining the service sector, steps will be taken to turn towards a goods and production-based economy. Special focus will be given to industries based on available natural resources and to fulfil people’s basic needs such as food, education, agriculture, power, transport and health.
- Based on the belief that the population’s involvement in politics should go beyond mere casting of votes, a culture will be facilitated where people take an active part in politics.
- There is a serious and acute income and economic disparity in Sri Lanka. In order to soften its impact on disadvantaged communities, an effective social welfare services program will be implemented.
- Every effort will be taken to maintain cordial and dignified international relations. This may not be an easy task given the current international standing of the country. However, the improvement in the nation’s internal stability that will result from the prevention of corruption will keep Sri Lanka in good stead to improve her image internationally.
- The state intervention in fields such as education, health and transport that affect the day to day lives of citizens will be strengthened in order to create a fair and level playing field of opportunity.
- Foundations will be created for a society where no single ethnicity will be allowed to dominate and exercise control over any others and to foster mutual respect. An environment will be created where minority communities will feel secure and have trust in the state.
- The political culture where rulers are held above the level of citizens will be changed to a one where the rulers are only temporary custodians and servants of the people.
- The NPP envisages a future socioeconomic system based on the coexistence with nature and will work towards such.
4.What is the economic policy of the NPP? Is it against a strong private sector?
The economic model of the NPP is one where there is a direct participation of the population in economic activity and where there is a fair distribution of the benefits of the economic activity among the population. We believe that the state has the main responsibility of leading, planning and guiding the economy and determining the general direction of the economy of a nation. Not only are we accepting the fullest participation of the private sector in the economy within a framework created by the state, but the state will encourage and facilitate the private sector. Therefore, the idea that the NPP is against a strong private sector is a myth. The NPP believes that the success of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) is an essential factor in the economic progress of a country. An NPP government will facilitate and support SMEs. The state will have a controlling share in industries that are of a critical nature such as utilities, mass transit and finance.
5. How would the NPP work to resolve the Sri Lankan economic crises
There needs to be short- and long-term strategies to resolve this crisis. But an essential prerequisite for any such program is the appointment of a legitimate, principled government with a clear mandate. No economic strategy will be successful without this step.
Apart from short term measures such as negotiating with third parties for loan facilities and increasing overseas worker remittances, the following steps to resolve the debt crises can be suggested. Negotiating with lenders to reschedule repayments, facilitating a sudden leap in tourism and enacting changes in the patterns of consumption within the country. A non-corrupt government with a vision will build the trust of expatriate worker community and encourage them to increase remittances. That is why we say that there should be a political change for the economic measures to be successful.
In the long term, in order to prevent the recurrence of a debt crisis, Sri Lanka should move towards a product-based economy. The foundation for such, will be laid under an NPP government.
6.What is the NPP’s stance on getting the assistance of the International Monitory Fund (IMF)
The first thing Sri Lanka needs to come out of this economic crisis is a national level plan. It is important that we have it in place before commencing discussions with any organisation. The NPP has no blind faith about the IMF’s ability or willingness to help Sri Lanka come out of the crisis. History is peppered with examples of IMF interventions making crisis situations even worse. However, the NPP is open and willing to engage in discussions with either uni or multilateral lenders providing it is done in the presence of a national plan. Accordingly, we do not completely reject discussions with the IMF or any other multilateral organisation for that matter.
7.What is the education policy of the NPP? Is the NPP against private education?
The state has the responsibility of ensuring the right of all the citizens to an education. Providing an equal opportunity for access to education and ensuring the quality of education is also the responsibility of the state. The core intention of NPP’s education policy is ///// and broadening the higher education opportunities to gain a tertiary education in classical or vocational streams depending on the strengths and abilities of students. In order to fulfil this, maximum investments will be made for the state sector education.
The neglect of the state education during the past decades has resulted in the establishment of a private or profit-making education sector. It is our belief that only a system where the state ensures the quality and the availability of education for all can there be the guarantee of equal access and availability of education for all. But it will take a long time to achieve such a system and during that period of transition, private education providers will be adequately regulated and aligned with the country’s education policy. However, we will not interfere with the right of a child to choose private education if they so wish.