Mahinda Chintana – Vision for the Future.

This policy aims at the sustainable development of Sri Lanka and particularly to achieve a number of improvements, including the following: (a) sustained economic growth of around 6 percent; (b) reduce unemployment and poverty; (c) raise access to safe drinking water and services such as electricity and road access. The vision envisages a Sri Lanka that has an economy with a green environment and rapid development; aspires to be a stable society with a high quality of life for all of its people having access to decent living, electricity, water, schooling and health facilities; maintains the best of Sri Lankan culture, traditions and long standing global identity; aims to consolidate as an emerging market economy, integrated into the global economy and is competitive internationally. The policy refers to the period from 2010 to 2016 and is composed of the following Chapters: (1) Sri Lanka: The Emerging Wonder of Asia; (2) A Prosperous Country: A Land of Plenty; (3) Enterprises with Strength to Conquer the World; (4) Developed Road Network and Transport System; (5) Focus on Modern Education and Knowledge Systems; (6) A Healthy Society; (7) Comforts, Convenience and Satisfactory Lifestyle; (8) Shared Values and Rapid Development.
Eradication of hunger and hard-core poverty is one of the main targets of the Vision. The overall objective is to reach a stable society with a high quality of life for all people having access to decent living, electricity, water, schooling and health facilities. Regarding malnutrition of children, the objective is to reduce rate from a third to 12-15 percent. Further the policy aims to increase access to clean water in urban areas from 65 to 90 percent.
As mentioned, the Vision is focused on green economy. It aims to make agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable. The Government’s agricultural policy aims at realizing multiple goals including (a) achieving food security of people, (b) expanding the extent under cultivation, (c) reducing wastage in transit, (d) ensuring environmental conservation, (e) introducing efficient farm management techniques, and (f) using high yielding seeds and improved water management. The policy promotes the promotion of specific crops and boosts crop diversifcation. Regarding fisheries, the policy policy aims at exploiting the country’s fisheries and aquatic resources in a sustainable manner, while conserving the coastal environment. The government is targeting self-sufficiency in the national fish supply and a significant increase in fish exports.
The document also seeks to enable more inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. In particular it aims at ensuring higher and sustainable income for farmers; remunerative prices for agricultural produce; uninterrupted access to competitive markets both in Sri Lanka and abroad; farm mechanization. Regarding rural employment, the policy seeks to ensure that rural youth acquire the necessary skills to secure highly paid jobs. Special attention is also given to women in rural areas. Particular measures on irrigation and water resources management in relation to agriculture are foreseen as well.
Regarding disaster management, a culture of safety of the nation will be created through systematic management of natural, technological and man-made disaster risks. Both public and private sector media will be voluntary bodies to prepare the country for environmental changes. All citizens will be made aware of natural disasters, mitigation and adaptation.