Ask The Minister: Matters of Public Interest 

A Chat With Niroshan Perera, State Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs 

Some of our readers will be very interested in getting to know the progress of the present government and the future plans of the Ministers. With the endeavour of creating awareness in this regard, Daily Mirror Life met up with some Ministers and asked them a few questions. Their answers will be carried in this weekly column. 

Can you explain the role of this most important Ministry? With so many Ministries overlapping each other, a lot of people are confused as to what it entails. 

The Ministry of National Policies and Economic Affairs comes directly under the Prime Minister. Major Policy planning comes through this Ministry. Previously the policies were constantly changing with the changing of governments. Now with the two major parties forming a united government, it’s a good opportunity to formulate a stable National Policy for the country. It’s important that we have a strong economic growth and good governance. That part also comes under this Ministry. 

What are the Institutions that come under this Ministry? 

The institutions under this Ministry are the Central Bank, Securities & Exchange commission, Department of Census, Department of National planning, and the Department of External resources which handles a very important function, bringing in foreign grants and loans. The Youth Division also is under this Ministry. That is the National Youth Services Council and the National Youth Corp. 

Policy Planning is the most important function in developing as well as sustaining the well-being of people and the country. So tell us your short term and long term planning on policy. 

In a couple of weeks we will be presenting the five year economic plan which will give the people a clear understanding of where we are going. 

Last year the Prime Minister presented the broad outline of the National Policy to Parliament. It was a medium to long term policy of where we hope to go and how to develop the country and link up the Global economy. That includes opening foreign markets and having a more balanced foreign policy approach. For example - EU fish ban, GSP+, ETCA with India and FTA with China and Singapore. These will open up a huge market for us internationally and streamline the economic system in the country and make it more efficient. We also want to make the private sector more efficient so that people will have a fair chance of participating in the economic growth in this country. 

What about the projects handled by the Ministry, can you name a few? 

All major development projects are taken up by this Ministry. We have been focusing on the rural economy as well. There’s a rural infrastructure programme going on and we have allocated Thirteen Thousand Three Hundred Million for that project. We will be giving one million per village that is the Gramaniladari division, for infrastructure development. Then, all the members of parliament are allocated a decentralised budget for them to carry out development and social work.  We have given fifteen million per member, that’s a total of about 3.3 billion. 

What about the controversial Port City project? 

Previously serious issues concerning environment and legalities were not addressed properly hence it was highly impractical. Now we have completed the studies of all these matters and rectified and streamlined these legalities and environmental issues and converted it to a Financial City. 

What’s happening with the much criticised ventures in Hambantota? 

We are trying to attract investment to the country, and China has come forward in a huge way, especially in the Hambantota Industrial Zone which will be a major investment. Even assets such as the Hambantota Port and the Maththala Airport which were not bringing in any revenue, will be revamped. We are negotiating with the Chinese, to make this a joint management venture that will help us to link those assets with income generation. 

Can you explain the youth aspect of this Ministry? 

When you have foreign direct investment and economic growth it’s important that we have the skills sector and youth to match that. 

The National Youth Services was established by the Prime Minister when he was the youth Minister hence this is an area very close to his heart. He believes that the youth should take the lead in developing and taking the country forward. This organisation has one of the largest networks in Asia. We have been using this organisation to develop talent and identify young people to take leadership. 

What are the ongoing programmes for the youth? 

We conducted the Yowunpuraya programme in Sigiriya. We had about five thousand youth from all over the country. 

We are also in the process of conducting two other programmes. One is the ‘1500 Development Project’ through youth clubs all over the country. We requested project proposals of what they can do. There were about 6000 proposals out of that we have chosen 1500 and we have given them funds to implement their projects in their villages. The other one is ‘Our Youth has got Talent’ a reality show whichwill give the youth a platform to showcase their talents and skills. We have partnered with ITN for this project. Through this we will identify the youth with talent and we will give them the opportunity to go forward to the international arena. The objective of this programme is to develop leadership skills and to empoweryouth to take leadership in their villages, irrelevant of party politics. 

What are the future plans for the youth of the country? 

We need to develop the discipline in the country and the youth need to play a major role in this regard. The Prime Minister wants to expand the Youth Corps to cover all parts of the country. So we are in the process of doing a major expansion drive. We started from Moneragala and have gone up to Trincomalee. This year we have allocated 3 billion rupees for this project. 

So this Youth Corps is like Namal Rajapakse’s Nil Balakaya? 

Well, this used to be the Nil Balakaya but we have converted it to an areawhere it doesn’t matter what political affiliations you have or which ethnic group or what religion you belong to. This is a National Programme for the youth to come together and use the National Youth Corps or the National Youth Services Council to develop their skills and get to a higher place in society. 

Can you tell us what kind of challenges your Ministry faces on a daily basis? 

We have to report to the Prime Minister every week, of the implementation of plans made. All the major and minor projects including highways are monitored by this Ministry. Any delays of timelines and other problems are reported and action is taken to rectify same. 

You are relatively a fresher in Parliament. What can you say about your role as State Minister of this important Ministry and working directly with the Prime Minister? 

I am very lucky to be working under a leader with such great vision for the future and knowledge about world economic affairs, and he knows where exactly the opportunities are. He is very keen that the young people take responsibility and have a good understanding on how to run these Ministries. He has handed over the administration of the Ministry to me. We have been in the opposition for so long that most of the young people haven’t had the opportunity to run Ministries. Even in parliament when there are debates he would encourage us to participate and answer question. He is constantly grooming us to be future leaders and laying a strong foundation to take the country forward. 

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Did you know? 

- He is an Electronic Engineer. 

- He has a BSC from the University of Maryland and an MSC from Cornell University. 

- He is the son of late Festus Perera who was a Cabinet Minister of the UNP. 

- In his free time he likes to keep fit, watch movies and read.