Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Friday, 9 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Look at the pressure we receive from international forces. There is a threat of Tamil Eelam operations emerging. This is a tricky situation. The Government needs to act strong. It needs to take some urgent and important measures. But unfortunately the Government is not interested in such exercises. The present Government, the way it acts, cannot succeed.
This is why we decided to submit these 12 proposals to the President. We hope the Government will react to the proposals positively. Based on their reaction, we will decide whether or not we want to be a part of this Government.
Q: Your first demand proposes a draft constitution. Why do you think the country needs a new constitution?
A: The present Constitution has been ‘repaired’ numerous times. No one remembers what the ’78 Constitution actually contains. There have been so many amendments. This must be the only Constitution in the world that has been amended so many times.
With this Constitution we will not be able to win the challenges Sri Lanka faces at present. We need a new constitution; it should not encourage separatism and racism. It should also widen the democratic rights of people. The details could be finalised after due dialogue with the people.
If the Government is unable to do this using its two-thirds majority, it should do it through a constitutional council. The new constitution must be made the constitution of the country. Only such a new constitution will enable us to overcome issues faced by our country at present.
Q: The majority of your demands are to implement existing laws. Does this mean this regime is incompetent?
A: Take good governance as an example. This Government has not taken any extra or additional measures to improve good governance. But that does not mean there is no good governance either. The present regime has only maintained what already existed, but actually failed to do anything to promote good governance. This is exactly our point. We don’t need a government to continue what already existed. We need to develop and improve. 
Q: By making demands on the President publicly and threatening to pull out from his administration, you are only trying to gain popularity. Do you agree?
A: If someone thinks I am after publicity, then they are mistaken. There are many other effective ways to gain popularity and I honestly don’t think I need any publicity. As a politician I am at the height of popularity.
In 2005, we led this country to a turning point. We were members of that transition. We have the urge to take that process forward. We will take any measure at any time to make that change. This is the time. We believe this is the time for the Government to change its path.
Discussions taking place inside air-conditioned rooms will not be sufficient. If there is any change, it should be with the help and support of the people. We don’t want to destroy this Government. It is on its way to disaster. We want to change that situation.
If the present situation continues, there is no requirement for outside forces to destroy the Government. We don’t have any hidden agendas. We are only trying to mediate and get the Government out of this situation.
Q: You are a strong Government member and a responsible Cabinet Minister. If the Government is not taking the correct path, you have a responsibility to alert them. Your comments?
A: We have tried to talk to the President and educate him about this situation. We may not have put all 12 demands to him at once, but from time to time we did educate the President and relevant Government members. For example, we have had lengthy discussions about the casino matter. We have openly expressed our dislike.
The Government says they will not issue any new licenses. But it is trying to give tax concessions to operate casinos. We see such gazettes coming up hurriedly. But for other matters actually beneficial to the country, it takes such a long time for implementation.
However, during the casino discussion, we spoke about many other issues too. If we are unable to solve it internally, we have to get together with the people and do it. That is exactly what we are doing.
Q: Are you saying the President and his administration have deliberately ignored your requests? Does this mean you are toothless in this Government?
A: There are various viewpoints, positions and stands. At certain instances we were able to influence the Government and bring about changes. In some instances we were unable to do that. For example we insisted that the Government do away with harmful parts in the 13th Amendment before the Northern Provincial Council elections. The Government made a genuine effort to make those changes. But due to the influence of left parties, the Government could not go ahead with that. The Muslim Congress too was against this. There are instances like that.
However, a change is needed. It should be felt by people. This is not a time to please Government members. This is the time the Government has to think about happiness of the people because they elected this Government.
"This Government has failed to fulfil the expectations and hopes of the people. Especially after the war, people expected a boom in the economy. Five years have gone but we don’t see much change. The Government has not fulfilled its ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ promises
With this Constitution we will not be able to win the challenges Sri Lanka faces at present. We need a new constitution; it should not encourage separatism and racism. It should also widen the democratic rights of people
We talk about a society rich in morals and values, but we act in a completely contradictory manner. This is not acceptable. The Government can no longer say its priority is infrastructure development. Whether it’s gaming or gambling, all these are harmful to our moral and cultural values. This Government is not there to continue laws implemented by the Premadasa regime. It has the power to make the necessary changes. It has to do it immediately
Have you heard of any emerging economic specialists in the Ministry of Finance? No, because Jayasundera is not allowing anyone to shine. He has a few henchmen around him and this team is destroying the country’s economy. He works according to a different agenda and he wants this economy to collapse. When that day comes he will no longer be with this Government. That is the Jayasundera theory. His ‘Chinthanaya’ is not to accept the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’. His real ‘Chinthana’ will only be revealed when he is out of this position
A country like ours cannot function without obtaining loans. But we need to have a better and a clearer plan as to how to utilise this money. There should be a plan for repaying these loans. This country functions on debt. We take loans to settle salaries of Government workers. How long can we go on like this? "
Q: Have you given a timeframe?
A: No, there is no such time frame. These things cannot be done overnight. But the Government should at least take the initiative. We don’t have any personal benefits to achieve out of this. By initiating the implementation of our 12 demands, the Government shows it is willing to change. But this is a decisive stage for our party. Depending on the Government’s reaction, we will decide whether or not we want to be part of this regime.
Q: Are you actually ready to pull out from the Government?
A: Yes, definitely. If the Government response is negative, we will not hesitate to pull out from the Rajapaksa administration.
Q: Will you support or join any Opposition party?
A: If we leave the Government, we will obviously be in the Opposition. But that does not mean we are going to work with another political party.
Q: There is discussion about a common Opposition candidate contesting the next presidential election. Will you support such a cause?
A: We have not decided yet. But if there is any necessity, we will not hesitate to think about it too.
Q: You claim you are against casinos. But in 2010 you voted in support of legalising casinos. Why?
A: Yes. I accept that. That is where we all went wrong. That is exactly where we could have stopped this. But we lost that opportunity. This was the instance where the Government approved tax concessions to casinos. For some unfortunate reason at that time we didn’t pay much attention to this matter. To be honest we didn’t realise the gravity of it.
However, we strongly believe that casinos should not get any tax breaks. We have proposed to the Government to make the necessary amendments to change the law and stop the spreading of casinos in the country.
Q: How many casino licenses have been issued so far? Who has issued these licenses?
A: They say there are four. During President Premadasa’s time an act was approved. If someone wants to start a casino, they only need to request a license. The present Government has not issued any new licenses. But if a future administration wishes to issue new licenses, they can do it. This is why we strongly believe casinos should not be categorised as tax free business.
Q: This Government has a two-thirds majority. In the same manner it implemented the 13th Amendment, the Government can take measures to change the laws. Without blaming previous governments, why can’t it act accordingly?
A: That is exactly what we are saying. Change the law. This needs to be done immediately. We talk about a society rich in morals and values, but we act in a completely contradictory manner. This is not acceptable. The Government can no longer say its priority is infrastructure development. Whether it’s gaming or gambling, all these are harmful to our moral and cultural values. This Government is not there to continue laws implemented by the Premadasa regime. It has the power to make the necessary changes. It has to do it immediately.
Q: Why did you abstain from voting at the recent Strategic Development Project Draft Bill? Shouldn’t you have voted against it?
A: If they said casinos are included in these projects, I would have voted against it. In the last gazette, the word casino was not included. I raised this at the Parliamentary group meeting. They said it only has entertainment activities. When I queried whether casinos were included in that category, they said no. the President himself says casinos are not included. It is there in the Hansard report too. I have questioned them and they have denied it. Being a member of this Government, I cannot vote against it based on assumptions. On the other hand, even if I voted against it, I would not be able to defeat it because the Government had the numbers to pass the bill. This is exactly why we decided to abstain from voting.
However, according to what I figured, the Government was planning to allow three of the existing casinos to operate in the new hotels. Since they already pay taxes, once moved to the new hotels they will enjoy tax concessions.
This Government is only trying to please a few casino operators. People in this country will not tolerate such a situation. The Mahanayaka Theros and Catholic Bishops have expressed concerns over the matter. We can even take this Government to courts if it acts against what it has promised.
Q: You have demanded that international agents sent to investigate war crimes should not be allowed to enter Sri Lanka and no investigation or inquiry should be held due to undue international influence. Don’t you feel having such a stance will cause more damage to the country?
A: This question only arises if these accusations are fair and impartial. The decisions have already been taken. If we allow them to enter our country, they will try to fabricate more harmful charges. I am certain the judgment of the court case is already decided. Certain members of the Government are urging the President to allow these groups to come to Sri Lanka to carry out their investigations. We should never do such foolish things. Whether we allow them to come here or not, whether we hold discussions with them or not, they will try to prove Sri Lanka has committed war crimes.
Let me tell you this, not allowing these people to come into the country will not be 100% favourable to the country. But whatever is happening now is not favourable to the country either. We have to opt for the less damaging course and that is exactly what we are proposing.
Q: You allege secretive measures are been taken to turn Mahinda Chinthana towards ‘Regaining Sri Lanka’. Who is responsible for this?
A: People like P.B. Jayasundera should be held responsible for this. Actually he is the one who is doing it. There is no individual in the world who has been the Finance Secretary for such a long period of time. During the tough times of bringing this Government to power he was not there, but soon after the Government was in power he came and secured one of the most important positions. No one in the world has held such an important and powerful position for such a long time.
Have you heard of any emerging economic specialists in the Ministry of Finance? No, because Jayasundera is not allowing anyone to shine. He has a few henchmen around him and this team is destroying the country’s economy. He works according to a different agenda and he wants this economy to collapse. When that day comes he will no longer be with this Government. That is the Jayasundera theory. His ‘Chinthanaya’ is not to accept the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’. His real ‘Chinthana’ will only be revealed when he is out of this position.
What I don’t understand is why the President and the Government are so scared of this person. What makes him so powerful? Why did he go for the discussions with Muruththettuwe Thero to end the nurses’ strike? They never demanded a pay hike. Why did the Treasury Secretary represent the Government in this matter? He is not the Minister of Health, nor is he the Secretary to the Ministry of Health. What power does he have to make any promises to the Nurses’ Union?
Whose idea is it to take loans from local banks to construct roads? If at all we are to take loans from local banks, it should be to develop the industrial sector and to support new entrepreneurs, so that one day these loans could be repaid. These roads will be rebuilt in another four years and who will repay the loans? Who should be held responsible for this vicious cycle into which the country’s economy is falling?
Nobody questions Jayasundera. They are afraid to remove him from that position, fearing no one will be able to undo this damage. Jayasundera has hijacked the country’s economy. He is responsible for the hybrid of the ‘Mahinda Chinthana’ and ‘Regaining Sri Lanka’. It takes a very long time for a gazette to come out to implement proposals in the ‘Mahinda Chinthana,’ but other things get implemented overnight. I have alerted the President. He has accepted there is truth in what I say. But sadly he is unable to take any action. This debt taking cannot go on for so long. Jayasundera will take loans but when the day comes when we can no longer survive on debt, he will run away. No man on earth will be able to undo the damage caused by him.
Q: Do you feel P.B. Jayasundera is more powerful than President Rajapaksa?
A: Sometimes, maybe. I know one thing; when obtaining loans they don’t consider the ones that are more favourable to the country. They go for loans with higher interest rates; by doing so they get bigger commissions. People like P.B. Jayasundera do not care about the country or the economy. They don’t have any responsibilities and they are not answerable to the people.
Q: Are you against the Government obtaining loans to carry out development work?
A: A country like ours cannot function without obtaining loans. But we need to have a better and a clearer plan as to how to utilise this money. There should be a plan for repaying these loans. This country functions on debt. We take loans to settle salaries of Government workers. How long can we go on like this?
Q: You claim the country’s economy is about to collapse, the President is powerless, the country has failed to take measures to defeat separatism and racism, there is no democracy and there is a lack of good governance. Don’t you think that rather than threatening to pull out, you must leave this alliance immediately?
A: We are still in this alliance for three reasons. Firstly, this Government does not harm the unity of Sri Lanka. Secondly, this Government is not afraid of international forces. Thirdly, this Government will not allow separatism to take place. These factors are very important to us. There are other issues that worry us. That is exactly why we have made the 12 demands. If it wasn’t for these three reasons, we would have left this Government a long time ago. Just because we are allies, we cannot accept everything they do. This is why we criticise their work. If the Government wants us to leave, we will leave. They can’t bribe us with ministerial posts.
Q: But your first proposal says no meaningful political and constitutional measures are being taken to defeat separatism and racism. The sixth proposal stresses the need to implement law against organisations that operate against existing religious coexistence and peace among the nation. Your previous answer contradicts your 12 demands. Your views?
A: This Government has not done anything new to entertain separatism or racism. It has failed to correct certain measures taken by the previous regimes, but nothing harmful has been done by this Government.
Buddhism has been in Sri Lanka for the last 2,500 years. Catholic and Islam religions have been there for over 500 years. These religions are not causing any damage to the country’s religious integration. We have coexisted for many, many years. But the US and Middle East funded fundamentalist groups are a genuine threat to this country.
In Sinhala society there are leaders to fight against these matters. Unfortunately, Muslim leaders are not raising a voice. In Chilaw and Beruwala, there were clashes between two Muslim religious groups. This is not good for the unity of the country. This is why we have stressed on the need to take action against such fundamentalist religious groups.
Q: What about the Bodu Bala Sena? Don’t you think its actions cause damage to society?
A: The Bodu Bala Sena is not a fundamentalist group that promotes a certain religion, so it cannot be taken into this. There are various organisations that function in the country. I can’t ask for a ban on all those organisations. That is how democracy works.
– Pic by Lasantha Kumara
