Projects

Development of the Official Website

The Office of the National Policy Reform project has a crucial objective of coordinating and facilitating the policy formulation process to ensure effective policy development and improvement. It involves the identification of 28 Policy Sectors and their corresponding sub-sectors. During the initial phase, policy papers were drafted with inputs from the National Council for Public Consultation Project. These papers have undergone review and a second draft, and they are now being transferred to the final policy drafting committee for further refinement, with some already completed. The project aims to provide a comprehensive and well-structured policy framework that the next government can readily utilize. By creating a fundamental base for policy analysis against current government policies, the project endeavors to foster smoother policy transitions and informed decision-making for the future administration. The expected outcomes include enhanced coordination in the policy formulation process, improved policy development, and a solid foundation for addressing national issues through well-considered policies. As the next step of the project, after the policy papers have been drafted and refined, the Office of the National Policy Reform will undertake the task of conducting public advocacy and awareness campaigns as a follow up project. These campaigns aim to effectively communicate the collected policy alterations and requirements to the wider public and stakeholders.

The main objective of the National Council for Public Consultation project is to identify policy gaps within the current government's policies through active engagement with diverse organized groups, including civil society, political activists, trade unions, media, community organizations, professional bodies, the business community, and sectoral representatives. The project facilitates weekly sessions, presided over by the Leader of the Opposition and relevant members of the opposition's shadow cabinet, to discuss and address crucial policy issues. It aims to gather valuable input from stakeholders, identifying gaps between existing policies and the current needs of the people while identifying areas that demand new policies for the future government. After one year of project implementation, 43 areas have been recognized, necessitating policy alterations or the development of new policies. The expected outcomes include fostering more informed and inclusive policymaking, bridging policy gaps to better meet public requirements, and laying the groundwork for comprehensive and relevant policies in an upcoming government.

The project aims to establish a research and knowledge management unit providing back-office support to the Opposition in Parliament. It will focus on analyzing recent policy changes by the present Government, generating reliable information, evaluating policies, and developing viable alternatives. The division will also assess investment agreements and business proposals submitted to the Government. Another key aspect is converting tacit knowledge from Members of Parliament and professionals into explicit knowledge to enhance practicality and political legitimacy. The unit, now operational, actively engages in detailed analyses of parliamentary proceedings and provides comprehensive policy and economic review reports to the Honorable Members of the Opposition. The expected outcomes include an informed and empowered Opposition capable of contributing effectively to policy debates, making informed decisions, and presenting constructive alternatives to the Government's proposals.

The "Sathkaraya" project has a clear and essential purpose of bridging the divide between the public and Parliament, with a focus on enhancing communication and problem-solving mechanisms. Through the organization of 100 community discussions across the country, it aims to foster a more inclusive and responsive democratic system. More than 1,500 different cases have been addressed, providing solutions or facilitating further actions to resolve grievances. Understanding the real needs of the community is of vital importance for the opposition, enabling them to strategize their next political movements and public engagements effectively. Throughout the project, the opposition has successfully elevated its image as the "People's Opposition," demonstrating commitment to engaging with citizens and actively addressing their concerns. The expected outcomes include a strengthened connection between the public and Parliament, improved channels of communication, and enhanced problem-solving capacities. By promoting transparency and accountability, the "Sathkaraya" project endeavors to empower citizens, fostering a more engaged and empowered citizenry, and creating a more effective and inclusive democratic process.