Thursday, 19 March 2015 00:26
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Says expeditious resolution of several longstanding and urgent national issues require a national government for two years in the country’s interest; absence of Govt-Opposition cooperation cause for delay and past failures
Insists polls only after reforms; both UNP and SLFP supporters and candidates during campaigning must bear in mind need for unity government
Laments country faces mounting global and local challenges amidst rising aspirations of international community and local people
Stresses lasting solution to ethnic issue is critical, onus on all to keep guns silent by preserving peace
Hints enabling environment for more national minded Sri Lankan Tamils living abroad to contribute to socio-economic development back home
Dismisses rumours he may cling on to executive presidency; Says ‘I got a mandate to abolish it andI will do it right’
Implies former President Rajapaksa must follow examples of President Jayawardene and Kumaratunga
President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday sounded magnanimous and sincere driving home the point that global and local challenges were mounting for the country and the medium-term way forward to resolve some pressing and longstanding issues was a committed national government.
His remarks came during his first formal interaction since the election with heads of media institutions over breakfast at President's House. He was responding to a question raised as to what role he would play in the upcoming general election given the fact that he was the Common Opposition Candidate at the 8 January presidential poll.
Sirisena said that around 49 political parties and organisations backed him as the presidential candidate and he would work with all for the country’s wellbeing.
“I always maintained I am the General Secretary of the SLFP during the campaign and post-victory I was handed over the party leadership to ensure its progress. I have my principles and a political vision. However, I will also not defame the UNP or other parties which played a key role in the victory,” the President added.
“The SLFP or the UPFA are also supportive of a national government. I must stress that even before or whilst campaigning during the general election, everyone must bear in mind that a united national government is for the benefit of the people and the country. We will create the necessary environment for same. There is criticism from certain parties that the unity government is being championed largely to win or retain perks and privileges. I will not stoop to third grade politics but will continue to work towards the national interest,” the President stressed.
Maithri...
He said that the way forward for the country was a committed national government, perhaps for two years.
“In the past national issues weren’t resolved expeditiously because either the Government would claim the Opposition wasn’t supportive or the Opposition would allege the Government wasn’t keen. We need a strong and united national government not to increase salaries or build roads but to resolve more pressing national issues,” the President said.
“As President I expect the SLFP, the UNP and other parties should be together in meeting the challenge of establishing a national government,” he added. “We managed to convince the United Nations on the need to give Sri Lanka more time to address outstanding issues. Come September we must face the Geneva challenge and expectations as one nation,” the President added.
In response to a question that Indian President Narendra Modi during his address to Parliament espoused the need for the 13th Amendment and beyond to resolve ethnic conflict, President Sirisena said that to all those who had raised this issue, including UK Premier David Cameron, his answer was that a national government after a general election would deal with it. The reason was that at present the 100-day program addressed immediate needs such as key constitutional reforms which would make the country more democratic to resolve other issues.
When asked whether Parliament would be dissolved on 23 April, the President said constitutional changes must be passed first and dissolution can be considered only thereafter. With regard to debate over the nature of electoral reforms, the President said there were diverse and strong opinions but expressed confidence that the main parties would be able to reach a consensus soon. He said that concerns of minority and small parties would be considered as well.
Noting that being in politics for 49 years and having dealt with many leaders both in the Government and Opposition as well as global leaders, this lifelong experience had helped him to manage the challenges especially during the past two months. “Given my experience I am very much alive to the challenges faced when governing,” he added.
Using a local idiom, the President said we should not be a nation like crabs being happy until the water boils. Instead, Sirisena emphasised that letting the ethnic problem remain unresolved without a political settlement would allow discontent to simmer, endangering true national unity.
The President said he was aware of the call to probe alleged genocide by the Northern Province Governor and it was only a point of view. However, he noted that as per Indian Premier Narendra Modi’s speech in Parliament last week, talks and insights shared by UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Queen Elizabeth and others, there was great responsibility on the new Government to deliver on the aspirations of all people including those in the north and east.
International expectations
The President expressed surprise over the depth of knowledge on issues facing Sri Lanka even from personalities like Queen Elizabeth and noted that the UK had great influence on EU policy. He recalled that the Queen, having noted that a small group from the Tamil Diaspora were demanding a separate Eelam by way of a protest during the recent London visit, quipped: “Maybe they (protesting people) don’t know there is a new Government in Sri Lanka.”
“Having met several global leaders as well as their representatives during the past two months, I can sincerely say that the international community has great expectations of Sri Lanka,” President Sirisena emphasised.
He also said that certain hardline groups sympathising with the LTTE wanted to meet him during his London visit but he declined. However, he met with a few groups who were more national-minded and did not associate with radical groups.
“This set of people appealed that they shouldn’t be classified as part of Tamil Diaspora but as Sri Lankans. They felt rejected by the generalisation and misconception that they too were demanding Eelam. However, these groups expressed their desire to return to Sri Lanka or help in the rebuilding of the country via investments etc.,” the President added.
He said these groups were told that their expressions would be conveyed to the Prime Minister and other coalition parties and the necessary environment would be created to make a direct contribution to the socio-economic development of Sri Lanka, especially in the north and east.
“I personally feel there is a challenge for everyone to keep the guns silent and preserve peace. So far there have been no reports of a resurgence of the LTTE but I think it is important to build bridges of unity, harmony and peaceful coexistence for the benefit of all and the country,” the President stressed.
He pointed out that people of Sri Lanka as well as the international community had faith in this unity government to deliver the desired results as well as live up to the promises made. “We need to respect the aspirations of the people,” he added.
The President said that ongoing political debate in the media on constitutional and electoral reforms as well as good governance was a positive sign of a healthy democracy.
“It is a good discourse, not a battle as such. And the reforms being championed are not mine or the Prime Minister’s but the people’s,” Sirisena added. The President also said he had always been for media freedom and requested journalists to report correctly.
In response to a question about an alleged rift within the SLFP which centred on former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sirisena implied that Rajapaksa must take a cue from ex-Presidents and SLFP leaders.
“When President J.R. Jayewardene ended his term, he handed over the Government and UNP leadership to Ranasinghe Premadasa. When President Chandrika Kumaratunga ended her term, she did same and the reins were handed back to Mahinda Rajapaksa. Both Jayewardene and Kumaratunga retired from politics. Do we have this today? What is happening today?” queried President Sirisena, who was aware of moves by some to promote Rajapaksa as a Prime Ministerial candidate.
Sirisena said that once the leadership was entrusted to him, SLFPers had to let him steer the party. However, he asserted that anyone was free to remain active in party politics or play their role, before suggesting that former President Rajapaksa should stick to his new post of being a Patron of the SLFP.
Sirisena also dismissed rumours that he may cling on to the executive presidency.
“I got a mandate to abolish it and I will do it right,” he told the heads of media institutions. He added that it was he who had recommended that the term of his Presidency should be reduced to five years. Sirisena lamented that the 18th Amendment gave unfettered powers to a President and made people view the post with discontent. “With upcoming reforms it will be rectified,” he added.
