Titeld ‘A New Country in 60 Months: Five Point Plan’, the manifesto was launched this morning at Viharamaha Devi outdoor theatre in Colombo under the auspices of prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The five points included are growing the economy, fighting corruption, enshrining freedoms for all, investing in infrastructure and improving the education system.

Constitutional council

The constitutional council is to be given more civilian representation and to be changed in to a state council.

Response to war time situation

The UNF says it will respond, within the local legal framework and in consultation with the UNHRC, its member nations and all Sri Lankan stakeholders, to the UNHRC report on the war period.

1 million jobs

The UNF hopes to establish 45 economic development zones across the country.

Also, 11 industrial and technical development zones will be set in up Hambantota, Trincomalee, Kandy, Jaffna, Colombo and other towns.

In addition, tourism development zones will be established in tourism areas, while agricultural areas will have agricultural development zones.

Through these, the UNF expects to attrack foreign investments needed for the programme to create one million job opportunities.

Answer to dependence on fuel

Strengthening alternative energy sources will be undertaken in order to bring down the five billion US dollar cost for importing crude oil and to create an environmentally-friendly Sri Lanka.

Concessions will be given for the use of natural, alternative energy sources such as wind, solar power and for fuel-efficient, environmentally-friendly vehicles.

Another expectation is to reduce the use of personal vehicles by strengthening public transportation.

Salaries

The increased allowances for public servants will be added to their salaries, while it will be proposed to grant a pay hike for the private sector too.

In a speech here, PM Wickremesinghe said a salary increase would also be granted through the budget.

The UNF election manifesto proposes an easy payment scheme to provide houses for public servants at low prices.

The UNF promises to impose a minimum salary of Rs. 10,000 for the private sector.

No debt by 2023

It also expects to make Sri Lanka free of debt by 2023.

In place of the bribery commission, a high-powered, independent anti-corruption bureau will be established.

The UNF also promises to introduce an act on right to information.

A new police act will replace the 1865 police ordinance.

Accident compensation

A compensation scheme for victims of accidents while travelling by bus or train will be introduced, with a Rs. 01 million payment in lieu of a death.

All three wheelers will have to get registration, while a Rs. 01 million compensation is to be paid for the death of a three wheeler driver in a vehicle mishap.

An island wide programme titled ‘English for all’ will be launched under the direct supervision of the PM to promote the English language knowledge.

In addition, 18 new technical schools will be established.

Drugs to be locally-manufactured

Essential drugs will manufactured locally in order to bring down their prices, says the UNF election manifesto.

The 1.8 per cent budgetary allocation for health services will be raised to three pc.

The UNF expects to increase the number of dialysis machines for kidney patients from 255 to 1,000, BBC Sandeshaya reports.