Tracking Sri Lanka's promises through the First Bi-Annual Manifesto Report

A Thriving Nation, a Beautiful Life'

- By Oneli Nonis

The First Bi-Annual Report on the Implementation of the Government's Policy Statement was launched with the participation of ministers, civil society leaders, academics, and activists at the Jasmine Hall of the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) recently.

The Bi-Annual Report on the Implementation of the Government's Policy Statement was prepared by the 'March 12 Movement' and the People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) and is titled "A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life". The manifesto under review represents more than a collection of promises, it is the current government's blueprint for the country's future.

The event, supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was about more than accountability; it was about trust. In a nation where public confidence in politics has often wavered, monitoring the progress of manifesto commitments is not a bureaucratic exercise—it is an act of civic responsibility. By documenting what has been achieved, what remains in progress, and where gaps persist, the report sets the stage for one of Sri Lanka’s most important conversations: how do we ensure that the lofty visions of political leaders translate into meaningful change for ordinary citizens?

The launch of this report marks a milestone in Sri Lanka’s democratic journey. The event, co-convened by Rohana Hettiarachchi, Executive Director of PAFFREL, was not confined to political elites.

Many who attended the event opined that the wide representation of sections of the society underscored a crucial point: manifestos are not private contracts between politicians and their parties—they are public contracts with the people.