Leader of the Opposition and presidential candidate of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Sajith Premadasa, accused President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Anura Kumara Dissanayake of forming a secret alliance against him. He claimed that this pact was not to rebuild the country but rather to defeat him, adding that he expects the results of his honest and clean political journey to benefit the lives of public sector employees and the general public.
Premadasa reiterated his promise to increase the basic salary of public sector employees by 24% in the coming year, with the minimum basic salary being raised to Rs. 57,500. He also pledged to increase the current cost-of-living allowance from Rs. 17,800 to Rs. 25,000, while reducing the existing tax burden of 6%-36% imposed by President Wickremesinghe’s administration to 1%-24%.
He emphasized the need to protect and sustain all public institutions, stating that strengthening the security and stability of these institutions would safeguard the rights of the workers employed within them. Premadasa outlined his policy of securing employment and ensuring job security for those in the public service.
Protecting Public Enterprises and Worker Rights
Premadasa vowed to manage profitable public enterprises for even greater success, while turning loss-making institutions into profit-generating entities. He stated that this would be done while ensuring the protection of workers’ rights and job security.
Speaking at a National Trade Union Conference in Colombo, Premadasa criticized the current government’s attempts to sell profitable public enterprises like Sri Lanka Telecom, Litro Gas, SriLankan Catering, and the National Insurance Corporation. He emphasized that the SJB was the only party in Parliament raising a voice against these sales, while others, including leftist groups, remained silent. He also accused these parties of abandoning workers and enjoying foreign travels while the SJB fought to protect the country’s assets.
A Positive Economic Approach
Premadasa clarified that the SJB is neither an extreme capitalist nor socialist party but a social democratic party that follows a middle path, advocating for a balanced social market economy. He emphasized that the SJB’s policy framework aims to create a positive economic approach that ensures the success of state institutions, the security of workers’ jobs, and a united effort for the country’s benefit.
Opposing Privatization
Premadasa declared that loss-making institutions could be turned profitable without resorting to privatization, stressing that the country’s public institutions should not be auctioned off. He added that President Wickremesinghe has been unable to manage even basic public institutions like post offices and is now attempting to sell post offices in Nuwara Eliya and Galle. He criticized Wickremesinghe for lacking national pride and vowed to ensure that Sri Lanka does not become an auctioned land under his leadership.
No Policy of Expelling Public Sector Employees
Premadasa assured that he does not support any policy of expelling public sector employees, and the promises regarding public sector salaries made by President Wickremesinghe were only realized during the election period. He pledged to protect public institutions, maintain jobs, and turn loss-making enterprises into profitable ones as part of a new policy framework.
Standing Up for Victims of Political Retaliation
Premadasa highlighted that there is a significant number of individuals who have been victims of political retaliation, with around 40,000 people affected since 2019, and another 60,000 before that. He criticized President Wickremesinghe’s failure to address their grievances and vowed to stand up for these individuals and resolve their issues.
