I’ll downsize cabinet to 20: Mahesh Senanayake

Former Army Commander and National People’s Party presidential candidate Gen. Mahesh Senanayake said he would bring the cabinet to 20 under his government.

He expressed these views at the launch of his National People’s Party ’s election manifesto at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute today.

Gen. Senanayake said the fundamental substance of his manifesto is to create one country and to establish one and equal law to all in the country.

“Every cabinet minister is entitled to work with a sense of financial discipline,” he said.

He said the political culture of the past 71 years did not lead the country to march ahead but backwards. That culture did not make any progressive strategy to develop the country.

“That’s the very reason why I came forward as an independent candidate representing NPP to make a change in the country,” Senanayake added.

“I pledge my full commitment and responsibility to draft constitutional and legislative changes that are required to make these changes and I am committed to serving the nation – not to rule the nation,” he added.

The tenfold pledge is as follows,

1. Maximise national resources, strengthen agriculture and local production and develop a sustainable export-based economy.

2. Through proper economic management, increase per capita income and reduce poverty.

3. Implement a national programme to build a disciplined, secure and undivided Sri Lanka, free of fear.

4. One and equal law for the whole country.

5. Through an education system that adapts to the changes in the world, empower our youth, and encourage entrepreneurship.

6. Create a society which empowers women, and ensures women are treated with utmost dignity and respect.

7. Pay special attention to children, senior citizens, and people with special needs.

8. A meritocratic social environment, where the right persons are appointed to the right positions.

9. A public service that is empowered by the latest technology, efficient, highly respected and corruption-free.

10. A non-aligned international policy that puts Sri Lanka’s interest to the fore.