President Maithripala Sirisena: Interview

Interview: President Maithripala Sirisena

Following the 2015 elections, what do you view as the most pressing priorities for political reform?

PRESIDENT MAITHRIPALA SIRISENA: The people of Sri Lanka gave me a mandate at the presidential election held in January 2015 to take Sri Lanka on the path to progress as an awakened nation that values good governance, democracy, the rule of law and equal opportunities for all. As evident from our election manifesto, we are taking clear and resolute steps to further strengthen democracy, good governance and the rule of law; create a truly meaningful parliamentary system; and establish a long lasting and stable structure of good governance, in keeping with the mandate given by the people. Within the first six months, my government introduced essential amendments to the constitution in order to strengthen democracy in Sri Lanka. These amendments have reinforced the foundations of good governance through institutional reforms that have strengthened pluralism and democracy.

With my personal intervention and facilitation, some of the executive powers vested in the presidency were transferred to the parliament and other independent institutions. We have worked progressively to draft a new constitution with the consent of all the political parties and people.

What are the challenges Sri Lanka faces in branding itself following a decades-long civil war?

SIRISENA: We are eager to usher in a new political culture in Sri Lanka in which all communities and religions, as well as political parties with divergent views, can live and function in friendship, harmony and cooperation. We want the international community to take a fresh look at the developments emerging out of this new Sri Lanka. We need time and space to carry forward our programmes for reconciliation and erase the pains of a long battle against terrorism. Our new vision for the country involves achieving the twin objectives of sustainable development and reconciliation. A fundamental requirement, in this context, is that we deal with the past honestly and build a modern nation.

In dealing with the past, we will follow a process of truth seeking, justice, reparation and non-recurrence. We have initiated an all-party conference to look into the issues and suggest measures for long-term reconciliation and communal harmony. We will also appoint an internal mechanism to investigate allegations of human rights violations. For this task we will work closely, and in consent with, the UN Human Rights Council.

It is the task of the government to find a just, equitable and reconciliatory solution that is acceptable and familiar to the people of Sri Lanka. One of Sri Lanka’s strengths is its rich diversity. We give the highest priority to improving relations between communities, the followers of different faiths and those who speak different languages. We have taken steps to remove misunderstandings, foster public trust and solve post-conflict challenges; however, more will need to be done.

The country eradicated terrorism six years ago, and although we retained our sovereignty and territorial integrity, the need to proceed further towards national unity through genuine amity and friendship among people is a task that needs to be achieved. Just as the challenge to the unity of the land was eradicated, it remains necessary to nurture mutual understanding and respect among all Sri Lankans. We want to promote harmony among the people so that their energies can be diverted towards promoting development, peace and democracy, and protecting and promoting core values, such as tolerance and understanding, including respect for other cultures.

On the other hand, the north and the east, areas which remained – to a large extent – cut off from the country’s economy are now being positively integrated thanks to the large infrastructure development work that is in progress. Sri Lanka remains committed to its objectives of pursuing the processes of reconciliation, of strengthening democracy and of building the nation.

How can Sri Lanka ensure growth is inclusive?

SIRISENA: Inclusive growth is a challenge, not only for Sri Lanka, but for the whole world. First and foremost, I would stress the fact that in the interconnected world we live in today, no country alone can think of promoting inclusive growth unless the whole world comes together for the purpose. The sustainable development goals for 2030, set by the UN, will guide Sri Lanka. We take them seriously and we are committed to achieving them. Sri Lanka’s policy framework is in the process of being revitalised to reflect the inspiration gained from the sustainable development targets.

We believe our efforts will help narrow the wealth gap among different sections of society and help to create a more equitable society. Concern for people and the earth is at the core of Sri Lanka’s development trajectory. Therefore, we plan to absorb new technological tools, utilise modern technology and encourage innovative thinking in sectors such as education, health and industry, for sustainable and inclusive progress.

We have been fortunate in preserving the democratic ethos in our country despite the prolonged conflict. Despite several factors militating against maintaining a high economic growth rate, we succeeded in sustaining the state social welfare policies that were carried over from independence. We never compromised on these policies, which include universal free education, free health care and the eradication of poverty. Following a path of social democracy, Sri Lanka has achieved high levels in the Human Development Index, even during the years of conflict. This success testifies to our commitment for inclusive growth.

How do you expect Sri Lanka’s foreign policy to evolve over the next five years?

SIRISENA: It will be an Asia-centric middle path. The aim of our government is to build wide friendships internationally that recognise and respect our individuality as a nation. It remains our policy to strictly adhere to the middle path (the path of non-alignment); extend friendship to all nations; and strengthen trust and cooperation with international organisations, multinational bodies and regional institutions in order to achieve greater mutual understanding. While pursuing a middle path policy, we will focus more on fostering ties with Asia. Sri Lanka also looks forward to taking up a greater role in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). It is the expectation of our government to obtain the assistance of friendly nations and international organisations in order to advance the development of our country and assure the future success of our people.

How can SAARC further promote integration between its member countries?

SIRISENA: The objectives of SAARC should go beyond regional politics to create close links among the eight-nation group. Culture is an important tool that stabilises political and economic conditions in a manner beneficial to mankind. It plays a pivotal role in fostering harmony and better understanding among its members and in building a strong base for regional understanding.

SAARC can of course play a more central role in regional cooperation in regards to economic integration, disaster response, knowledge and technology sharing and numerous other fields.