GR will address minority issues: Amunugama

From left: Faiszer Musthapa MP, Susil Premajayantha MP, Dr Sarath Amunugama MP, Chandima Weerakkody MP - Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

• Says rational thinking essential to address minority issues and GR has that capacity 
• Strong leader with Sinhalese backing has better chance to reconcile majority with minority: Faiszer

By Nuwan Senarathna 

Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) parliamentarian Dr. Sarath Amunugama yesterday said that Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa has the capacity to competently deal with minority issues, due to his practical approach to governance. 

Addressing media at Mandarina Hotel, Dr. Amunugama said Rajapaksa’s policies to promote a technology-based economy will also encompass the ability to address the country’s long-standing issues based on ethnic and religious differences. He argued technology could be used to assess issues more productively and more accurately, but failed to elaborate on how this would resolve demands for political rights and accountability on human rights matters. 

“Ethnic relations in Sri Lanka need rational, objective solutions. For far too long, we have been wrapped up in emotional and various psychologically-oriented issues. Only Rajapaksa can break that old mould, by bringing in new technologies and new learning,” he said. 

Dr. Amunugama argued the country was unable to address minority communities’ issues due to lapses in identifying issues from a neutral perspective. According to Dr. Amunugama, ideological conflicts and sectarian conflicts have pulled the country back from addressing minority issues. 

He noted only a person with charismatic leadership qualities and rational thinking would be able to address minority communities’ issues. He argued Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Defence Secretary had shown his capability to address such concerns. 

“During the post-war period, a lot of practical measures were taken by the Rajapaksas to help the minorities. The returning of lands in the North began under Rajapaksa’s time, and this was one of the biggest achievements. He has commenced rehabilitation programs and held the Northern Provincial Council Elections to protect the democratic rights of the Northern people.”

He argued that the best interests of the minority communities would be served by working with a leader who has the support of the Sinhalese majority. 

Speaking at the same press conference, MP Faiszer Mustapha backed Dr. Amunugama’s views, and said the country needed a strong Sinhala leader to address minority communities’ issues. He claimed a Sinhala leader has a better chance to explain minority issues to the Sinhala community.  “The minority community should think wisely. It is not a secret that the majority of the Sinhala community supports Rajapaksa, and minority communities should be part of this victory. Without the blessing of the majority, we cannot resolve the issues of minority communities,” he said. 

Pic by Shehan Gunasekara