Clean Sri Lanka project sparks debate:
Stakeholders weigh in on goals and implementation
January 12, 2025 – Sunday Observer
The ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ project has ignited intense discussions over the past few days, eliciting a range of reactions, both positive and negative across mainstream and social media platforms. This national initiative has quickly become a focal point of public interest, particularly regarding the removal of unnecessary decorative metal accessories from buses and three-wheelers, which has raised questions about its objectives and implementation.
This effort has stirred tension among private bus drivers and owners, leading to calls for an island-wide strike. In response, the Government reached an agreement to grant bus and three-wheeler drivers a three-month reprieve to remove the decorative elements, aiming to make public transportation safer and more user-friendly while enforcing road laws.
However, it has become apparent that some media outlets are reducing the broader goals of the Clean Sri Lanka project to simply cleaning up buses and the environment. This misunderstanding is particularly concerning, given that many citizens are still unaware of the full intentions behind the national initiative, which has only been implemented for a couple of weeks.
In light of this situation, the Sunday Observer spoke to Member – Presidential Task Force – CLEAN Sri Lanka HR and Sustainability Lead/ Senior Consultant on Sustainability, Sustainable development and Sustainable Tourism, Dr. Anuruddha Gamage to clarify the project’s goals and address the mixed public reactions. Dr Gamage shared insights on how the initiative can be implemented sustainably to strengthen the nation’s ethical and moral values.
The Sunday Observer also spoke to Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda, Dr. Nirmal Ranjith Devasiri and artist and archaeologist, Jagath Weerasinghe to gather their perspectives on the Clean Sri Lanka initiative and discuss how the Government can effectively advance this important project for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Holistic approach to a sustainable future
The Clean Sri Lanka project, as explained by Dr. Anuruddha Gamage:
Aims to transform the country into a thriving, sustainable nation. “Clean Sri Lanka is part of a larger sustainability vision that focuses on three essential pillars, the environment, social consciousness and ethical governance,” he said.
This initiative goes beyond merely cleaning physical spaces; it seeks to uplift the nation by promoting a clean mindset. Gamage emphasised the importance of individuals in this transformation, “To achieve this, we believe the transformation starts with individuals. It’s about creating a clean mindset that extends to our homes, workplaces and public areas.”
The three key areas of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative are “clean environment, clean hands and a clean mind.” The clean environment aspect emphasises waste reduction and the preservation of natural resources. “A clean mind refers to fostering social awareness and transforming the thought patterns of the Sri Lankan populace.” Gamage said. Perhaps the most critical pillar, however, is “clean hands,” which focuses on establishing a corruption-free administrative system in the public and private sectors.
To ensure the sustainability of this project, four foundational elements are essential, clean partnerships, clean data, clean know-how and clean technology. As Gamage said, “No single organisation can drive a national agenda alone. We need partnerships at local and international levels to move forward effectively.”
Explaining the importance of data transparency, he said, “Our decisions must be based on accurate and transparent data. We want the community to see how funds are being used and to hold us accountable.”
Incorporating knowledge transfer into the initiative is another critical factor. “To succeed, we need to equip ourselves with science-based knowledge to align with global sustainability goals.”
The Clean Sri Lanka project sets both short-term and long-term activities aimed at fostering a cleaner, more responsible society. “In January, we will focus on community awareness,” said Gamage. “It’s crucial for this initiative to become a habit for Sri Lankans.”
Community-driven model
Following the launch of the Clean Sri Lanka project, efforts to clean the outer appearance of public transport and enforce road laws captured national attention, prompting varied public and media reactions. Gamage highlighted how this situation underscores the need for discipline within society. “The recent bus incident has provided us with a golden opportunity,” he said, emphasising the importance of maintaining road safety. The Task Force, comprising 18 members, including high-ranking officials is committed to reinforcing existing laws to enhance public safety. “The police are engaging with drivers to promote safe practices,” Gamage said.
However, he acknowledges that media portrayal can sometimes misrepresent their efforts. “While many outlets report responsibly, some narratives don’t reflect our objectives,” he said. He called for collective responsibility from both drivers and passengers to address road safety.
Looking to the future, Gamage emphasised the need for community feedback. “We want every citizen to share their ideas,” noting that a hotline will soon be introduced for easier communication.
Ultimately, Gamage said the Clean Sri Lanka initiative belongs to the people. “This is a community-driven model,” he said. As challenges arise, they serve as stepping stones toward significant societal change, reinforcing the importance of discipline and participation in building a cleaner, safer nation.
Calls for a participatory democratic approach- Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda
As the Clean Sri Lanka project progresses, Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda highlighted critical issues in its implementation, emphasising the Government’s intention to boost tourism amid the economic crisis. “Clean Sri Lanka is necessary from the Government’s perspective,” he said, recognising tourism as a vital source of foreign exchange. However, he believes the initiative could have been better planned. Uyangoda stressed the focus on the traffic police to enforce the project, adding that it transcends Law and Order. “This is about more than just policing,” he said. The class prejudice often exhibited by the elite, who blame the poor for cleanliness issues. “There’s a class dimension to making the city clean,” he said, noting that such biases contribute to the protests from three-wheeler and bus drivers.
Prof. Uyangoda said that the project should have a change in mindset and include stakeholders in the process. “You can’t change perceptions without community involvement,” he said and called for a participatory democratic approach that engages those affected by the initiative, particularly the working class.
He cautioned against negative politicisation of the project and emphasised the need for education and engagement over mere enforcement. “A project with good intentions can derail without community participation. It is important to address broader societal issues, including public health and noise pollution, while understanding the cultural context of the public,” he said. Prof. Uyangoda said that a more inclusive strategy could greatly enhance the effectiveness of the Clean Sri Lanka initiative. “You can’t civilise people by force, we must urge for a thoughtful approach that resonates with the realities of everyday life for all Sri Lankans.” he said.
Reimagining cleanliness- Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe
Veteran artist and archaeologist, Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe said the Clean Sri Lanka initiative should extend beyond environmental improvement to address the societal and political culture. “This is a monumental change in the political landscape,” he said, highlighting the need to cleanse both the environment and the ideological state of society.
Prof. Weerasinghe has been with the Central Cultural Fund(CCF) since its inception, and expressed satisfaction in the stability of the CCF under the current Government, noting that it is a departure from past administrations that often disrupted its operations for political gain. “Professionals now have the space to work without political interference,” he said.
Prof. Weerasinghe called for the Clean Sri Lanka initiative to foster a culture of understanding and empathy among politicians, encouraging leaders to acknowledge their limitations without fear of being ridiculed. “In many European political systems, politicians can admit mistakes and even apologise. That kind of humility is missing in our political culture,” he said.
Prof. Weerasinghe also stressed the importance of community involvement in the Clean Sri Lanka initiative, arguing that it cannot solely rely on law enforcement. “We need a participatory approach, engaging artists and local communities in the cleaning process,” he said.
Drawing from his expertise in Archaeology, Prof. Weerasinghe said that the discipline should focus on understanding society through its material culture rather than merely seeking ancient artifacts. Clean Sri Lanka was a broad discourse that could ultimately benefit the democratic process and foster a more inclusive society. “This is about reimagining how we approach cleanliness in a way that resonates with our cultural values and empowers our communities,” he said.
Challenge of conceptualising the initiative- Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri
Prof. Nirmal Ranjith Dewasiri said that the Clean Sri Lanka project encompasses more than just environmental cleaning, it fundamentally aims for clean governance through a holistic approach. “The challenge lies in how this initiative is conceptualised and interpreted by society,” he said. “If the public misinterprets the meaning or intentions behind the project, the blame should not fall on them but rather on the implementers who need to recognise the gaps and take corrective action.”
He said that similar initiatives have been attempted in the past, often failing due to poor conceptualisation. “It is paramount for the Government to understand how to implement these programs within the existing institutional framework,” he said. Dewasiri said the recent controversies surrounding the cleaning of public transport was evidence of the police force’s limitations in managing public relations effectively.
“The main loophole in the Clean Sri Lanka project so far is that the implementers have not given it serious consideration before rolling it out. Changing society is not as simple as building a house on bare land, it involves navigating an already established living environment.”
While acknowledging the initiative as important and necessary, Dewasiri urges that it be executed carefully and sustainably. “We are a country with a population that has limited awareness of citizenship consciousness, making a thoughtful approach essential to ensure the initiative’s success,” he said.