Highlights of the Sihala Urumaya Manifesto for the General Elections 2001

The State and the People

Defeat any federal constitution that will lead to division of the country.

Defeat the Northern terrorists and suppress any other form of terrorism.

Abolish the Executive Presidency and Provincial Councils.

Reduce parliamentary seats to 125 and ministers to 18.

10 year hard labor to impersonators and those indulging in election malpractices.

Restore the grave injustices caused to the Sinhala people.

Establish a disciplined and righteous society.

Religion and Culture

Face all challenges to the Buddha Sasana and take positive steps to safeguard it.

Close liquor shops on permits to MPs. Licenses only on results of local option polls.

Death penalty for drug dealers and peddlers.

National Anthem to be sung only in Sinhala.

Local Economy and Living Costs

Paddy cultivation, and other agriculture to be made a viable livelihood. A minimum guaranteed price of Rs.15 for paddy. Rice mills, stores and processing factories for other products in producing areas.

Facilitating transport and marketing of agricultural products.

Small and medium scale industries throughout the country. Loans on easy terms

Import policies which help local agriculture and industries.

Promoting and linking new technology to assist development.

Water and electricity to all. Regulating rates for water, electricity, gas, telephone and postage.

Reduced prices for kerosene, petrol and diesel in line with reductions in world markets.

Education and Social Welfare

Free education up to and including University level.

Modern education system. Countrywide teaching of English, Science and Computer Technology.

Salary increase of 25% to government servants on conclusion of the Northern conflict.

Free public transport and medical care for senior citizens. Special facilities for the disabled.

Upgrade roads, railways, internal waterways and road and rail rolling stock.

Improvement and maintenance of medical services at acceptable levels.

Bribery, Corrupt Practices

No luxury vehicles, enhanced security, subsidized meals and other benefits to MPs

Death penalty for traitors involved in corrupt deals for supplying arms, goods and services to military.

Deterrent punishment to those found guilty of bribery and corruption, past and present.

No political interference in the Judiciary, Police and other State institutions.

Merit and efficiency to be the basis of appointments and promotions to high posts.

Privatization, the Environment

Heavy penalties on those found guilty of corruption or negligence in the sale/ privatization of stare owned assets. Ban the sale of valuable resources such as Eppawela Phosphate deposits.

Punish those guilty of illegal clearing of forests. Protect country’s forest resources.

Others

Housing, employment, land and other special benefits to members of security forces and to families of those who lost their lives to uphold the unitary character of their motherland

Citizenship to estate Tamils of Indian origin only in terms of Sirima/ Shastri and Sirima/ Indira Pacts.