Amid a mix of hope and scepticism surrounding the recently announced Presidential Task Force to implement the Clean Sri Lanka programme, the initiative aims to tackle pressing issues such as solid waste management and national inclusivity.
At the Cabinet briefing on Tuesday (24), Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa confirmed that Cabinet approval had been granted for a sustainable solid waste management programme under the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government, aligning with the task force’s mandate.
However, questions remain about the specifics of the task force’s objectives as outlined in the gazette, particularly regarding its powers, authority, and financial allocations.
Adding to the debate are concerns over the religious and regional representation within the task force, which has sparked discussions on inclusivity and equitable decision-making.
A goal of transformation
“As approved at the Cabinet meeting held on 2 December, in accordance with the Clean Sri Lanka programme, recognising the importance of community participation and awareness for sustainable municipal solid waste management, all citizens are encouraged to engage in waste management activities,” Minister Jayatissa announced.
Media Secretary to the Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Jayana Herath said that the ministry planned to embark on a large-scale project to account for plastics, glass, and paper and to reduce wastage through recycling.
While comprehensive details of the project are not yet available, Herath added that the ministry was involved in field visits and quantitative studies to understand the potential for repurposing plastics and solid waste in a manner conducive to the environment, after which the project to repurpose solid waste would be fully implemented.
This would mark the first initiative of the task force following its announcement, although Dr. Jayatissa and Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando both claimed that the project would only commence on 1 January 2025.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake officially launched the Clean Sri Lanka programme recently, claiming it was essential for national development. Central to this effort is an 18-member Presidential Task Force charged with designing and implementing transformative policies.
Confirming the Cabinet nod for the programme on 2 December, Minister Jayatissa stated that Sri Lanka was not only economically backward but also politically, socially, spiritually, and ecologically behind. He said that while the Government was focused on uplifting Sri Lanka economically, the Clean Sri Lanka Task Force had been tasked with coordinating with stakeholders and developing policies that would advance Sri Lanka ethically, morally, and harmoniously.
The programme, which became official with the issuance of an Extraordinary Gazette on 19 December, aims to elevate Sri Lanka under the vision of ‘A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life’. This vision seeks to unify citizens, inspire sustainable practices, and address structural inequities that have hindered the country’s progress.
Organisational structure
The Presidential Task Force, chaired by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, comprises senior officials and experts from diverse fields. Members include the heads of Sri Lanka’s armed forces, senior Police officials, urban development experts, and professionals from civil society.
According to Dr. Kumanayake, this multidisciplinary composition ensures that the programme benefits from a broad spectrum of insights and expertise.
The task force has been entrusted with an array of pivotal responsibilities under Gazette Notification 2415/19. Its primary task is to plan, guide, implement, monitor, and complete the Clean Sri Lanka programme within a specified timeframe, with the overarching goal of achieving a transformative social, environmental, and ethical awakening across the nation.
In order to facilitate this vision, the task force is mandated to establish an organisational structure that enables seamless implementation from the national to the rural level. Leveraging the expertise of scholars, professionals, and institutional representatives, the task force is expected to harness diverse knowledge streams and prepare a comprehensive framework to engage a wide range of stakeholders.
These stakeholders include Government and semi-Government entities, private sector organisations, research institutions, civil society, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), international partners, community groups, and even the Sri Lankan diaspora.
Minister Jayatissa emphasised the importance of community engagement: “The Clean Sri Lanka project is a Presidential Task Force initiative to design policies that would elevate Sri Lanka to greater heights. Community participation and awareness are integral to this endeavour.”
Debate on inclusivity
Following the gazette notification on the Presidential Task Force, it was received with an outcry from various fronts that the Government had once again failed to institute inclusivity. Dr. Kumanayake disagreed. “The Clean Sri Lanka programme is as much about fostering inclusivity as it is about achieving tangible outcomes,” he said.
According to Dr. Kumanayake, the initiative transcends barriers of race, religion, and language.
“This project was not designed with any particular community in mind but with the objective of developing the nation as a whole. We have representatives from different segments of expertise, and together, we will help design progressive policies for the country,” he said.
However, some political leaders have raised concerns about the programme’s inclusivity and clarity. Of them, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of Parliament (MP) Mano Ganesan, who is also a former Minister of National Integration, addressed the need for broader representation within the initiative.
“The Government often refers to everyone as Sri Lankans, which I strongly believe is a positive step. This is what we aim to become, each of us recognised as full-blooded Sri Lankans. However, it does not reflect the truth as it stands today. There remains a sense of polarisation,” he said.
Addressing the question of lack of minority representation in the 18-member committee, Ganesan responded: “Although you use the term minorities, I prefer to refer to them as associate communities, and we are all clean and committed to progress. Sri Lanka’s rich history of polarisation compels greater inclusiveness.
“The current Cabinet lacks representation from Muslims or Tamils from the north and east and it is the same with the Clean Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force, which raises questions about equity. Sri Lanka’s population is 75% majority, but the remaining 25% must also be fully acknowledged and integrated into these efforts. Only by addressing 100% of the population can we truly foster inclusiveness and harmony across the nation.”
Addressing concerns about representation, Deputy Minister of National Integration Mohommed Muneer Mulaffer reiterated the Government’s commitment to merit-based decision-making.
“In the realm of politics, religion has never been a criterion for us. Our focus has always been on ensuring that no issues are created and that the right candidates are selected based on merit. What matters most is their ability to perform the job effectively,” Mulaffer stated.
He emphasised that while religion and community were significant aspects of Sri Lankan society, they should not overshadow competence in governance.
“Candidates must uphold respect for religious values and avoid actions that could harm the reputation of any faith. However, our primary goal is to identify and empower the best individuals to take our collective journey forward,” he said, reflecting on the expert criterion used in recognising the topmost representatives for the committee.
Ganesan also expressed cautious optimism while highlighting areas requiring further transparency. “We need to carefully study the mandate and roadmap of the Clean Sri Lanka programme. At present, it is not entirely clear, particularly regarding the powers, authority, and financial allocations for this project. While the appointment of the task force is a step forward, we also need clarity on several segments,” he said.
On these concerns, Prof. Fernando said that future press conferences would address the remaining questions on the task force’s mandate.
A senior official of the presidential staff said that while the committee had been formed with a vision, the mandate of the task force was still being discussed and determined. He said that further information would be made available through a press briefing in the coming week ahead of the commencement of the programme.
A collaborative approach
A critical aspect of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative is the integration of technology to ensure efficiency and transparency. The task force plans to leverage digitalisation in planning, implementation, and progress reviews. Furthermore, a multi-mode communication strategy will be developed to engage all stakeholders effectively and build widespread awareness.
Collaboration is another cornerstone of the programme. The task force is mandated to align its efforts with those of various stakeholders, such as those previously mentioned. By fostering such synergies, the programme aims to maximise its impact while ensuring sustainability.
The Clean Sri Lanka initiative comes at a time when the nation is grappling with economic, social, and environmental challenges. According to the Extraordinary Gazette outlining the programme’s objectives, Sri Lanka’s lag in key development indicators has placed an enormous strain on its people. Recognising this, the Government views the initiative as an opportunity to inspire behavioural change and foster national unity, according to Deputy Minister Mulaffer.
When consulted, Prof. Rohan Gunaratna, an expert on security studies, expressed his support for the initiative. “Security forces can assist the civilian authorities to build Sri Lanka. As they are committed to a higher level of discipline, it is paramount for security forces to work together with civilian authorities,” he said.
The gazette notes: “The people’s aspirations to take the country towards a new renaissance by changing the situation that they have experienced thus far have been clearly reflected in the recent election results. An approach to make behavioural changes in society can be achieved by role-modelling, influencing, providing guidance, and strongly emphasising the need for change.”
Prof. Gunaratna echoed this sentiment, stressing that societal transformation was key to achieving economic and social progress.
The Clean Sri Lanka initiative represents a bold step towards addressing the structural and behavioural issues that have long hindered the nation’s progress. By prioritising inclusivity, collaboration, and meritocracy, the programme seeks to create a sustainable foundation for future development.
However, as noted by political leaders and stakeholders, much work remains to be done. Ensuring transparency, addressing representation gaps, and building public trust will be critical to the programme’s success.
Moreover, fostering a sense of unity among all Sri Lankans, regardless of their background, will be essential in realising the vision of a thriving, harmonious nation. As Ganesan pointed out, Sri Lanka remains a polarised nation and communal representation from all sectors is paramount to navigate the challenges of societal disharmony.