(UTV|COLOMBO) – New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential Candidate Sajith Premadasa said that his economic model would be a mix of Capitalist and Socialist policies to ensure social democracy and social equity.
He was addressing the ‘Vama Sahayogitha Samuluwa’ (Left Solidarity Conference) held at the New Town Hall in Colombo yesterday (28).
“We need wealth creating mechanisms in order to make a self-sufficient and strong country.The Open Market economy is the best path to achieve it and generate national income. We need to generate income to maintain a social security net and maintain free health and education services. However, when it comes to re-distribution of income and wealth, I believe in social democratic policies adopted by the left wing forces.
Otherwise, the rich become richer and the poor become poorer,” he said.
Premadasa said that he believes in a knowledge based economy to guarantee social equity. He said that he would implement a people-centered economic and social programme. He stressed that the income gap between the rich and the poor must be narrowed. He added that he is for all inclusive economy and that he is against crony capitalism where economic dividends are shared only among few.
He added that more weight must be given to achieve export based economic development.
Commenting on his political vision, Premadasa said he is for full democratic rights of the people and that he would not let fascism to raise its ugly head. “The people’s right to assent as well as dissent must be protected. There should not be space for those who try to grab power by igniting racial and religious tensions.
I pledge to usher in progressive changes in the economic, social and political sectors,” he said.
Minister Mano Ganesan, former MP Athauda Seneviratne, Leftist Leader Dr Wickramabahu Karunaratne, Left Centre Co-Convener Chameera Perera and United Left Front Secretary Keerthi Kariyawasam also participated.
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