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| Sunday, 30 March 2003 |
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'Cohabitation must work properly' : Country first, political agendas next - Mahinda Interviewed by DEEPAL WARNAKULASURIYA
Having held a number of portfolios, he is a vastly experienced politician and as the Leader of the Opposition he is expected to imbue the PA with fresh ideas and a new sense of purpose. Here, the 'Sunday Observer' meets him as he completes one year as the Leader of the Opposition. Question:- How do you see yourself as the Leader of the opposition? Answer:- As the Opposition Leader, I have a good rapport with all the political parties because the Opposition is the alternative government. We work towards our target inside as well as outside Parliament. Agitating against the government when its actions run counter to public aspirations, rallying people around the party, strengthening trade unions and educating them are some of our activities. Q:-Your views on the alliance set up by the SLFP and the JVP? A:- A three-member committee has been appointed by the party and they continue talks for a joint opposition alliance with Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. The committee comprises MPs Dr.Sarath Amunugma, Nimal Siripala de Silva and Maithreepala Sirisena. The Committee is expected to hand over a report to President Chandrika Kumaratunga and the Central Committee of the party. The party's decision will be taken thereafter on future proceedings for a joint alliance. Q:- You were not a direct participant at the talks between the two parties. Then how do you see the progress of the talks? A:- Though I was not a participant at the talks, as the Opposition Leader I was continuously informed of the progress by the President as well as the Committee members. But, I don't like to say anything much on the issue, since we have decided not to divulge the subject matter of our discussions, till we come to a final settlement. But, there's something I should mention here. That is, the identity, position or the recognition which the Sri Lanka Freedom Party has acquired up to now, will be preserved though we go for that kind of alliance. We are experienced enough in working together with other political parties. Q:- Well, that is about the SLFP. What about the PA's future? A:- Today we have a national problem. This is a moment when we must think about the country more than political parties. Any responsible party can join with us for a nationally important purpose. However, If you want a direct answer, the PA will not be affected by any coalition. Q:- On some occasions, LSSP and CP stalwarts were around you. But, why have they not decided to join the Alliance, yet? And what is your plan as the Leader of the Opposition to receive their support for an alternative government. A:- This is not like a divorce and a new marriage. It is a long process. We however, do not forget the parties which were with us to set up the People's Alliance and formed a government too. It is obvious that every party has its own policies. Here, it is the SLFP or the PA's duty to take other opposition parties in. With the success of laying down a strong foundation for a joint alliance we will definitely discuss matters with the LSSP and CP. Policy differences which they have encountered at this juncture are not major issues. They will realise the necessity of the moment. Q:- Are you happy with the way the government is proceeding in handling the National Problem? And your comments on the peace process and the first year celebration of the ceasefire agreement between the Government and the LTTE. A:- Both the SLFP and PA wish to see an end to this problem. This has already destroyed over thousands of lives and caused irreparable loss to the country. Today, we don't experience a war and no casualties. I accept that. But, what are the benefits the government has received within this year? The Government has provided everything what the LTTE asked for under this 'luminous banner of ceasefire' agreement. Q:- What is your solution to this problem? A:- This is a very complex situation. Tamils and Muslims speak Tamil, but all other aspects like religion and culture are different. When we take Tamils and Sinhalese all the aspects are the same except the language. We must first understand these differences. However, it should not be a solution of the UNP or solution of the PA or JVP. And it also cannot be Ranil's solution or Chandrika's solution. It should be the solution of all Sri Lankans, in other words all communities in the country must accept and be agreeable at the same time. It should lead the country to a sustainable peace. Today peace talks have become only another foreign tour and at the end of it a large media show. What is the use of going from country to country to discuss a permanent solution? Why can't we discuss this in the country and solve the problem within the region? I don't see that the Govt has a genuine need to solve this problem. I personally believe that we must work with India to solve this problem. India is a great country which has helped us in the past. How can we forget India now in tackling this problem? She is our neighbour and one of the strongest countries in the region. We can follow the example from what takes place in Europe today. Day by day the European countries make new strategies and plans to sustain one Europe. I think that India also has an obligation to facilitate and mediate in this issue. Q:- How do you see the co-habitation process which the PM promised to the President relating to the peace process? A:- Well, the Prime Minister promised not only the President he also promised Parliament to brief them on proceedings of the peace process. But, as I see it the so-called cohabitation process does not work properly and it is not satisfactory. Q:- In the past on most occasions revolutions began in the South. Have you noted the reasons for this and what are your remedies. A:- People can live under pressure no longer. Breaking out is inevitable. That is what happened in the past. The main reason is that something is wrong in the prevailing education system in the country. These matters can lead anyone to unrest, such as unemployment and many other things. Therefore, I think we should have a national policy for education and it should not change from minister to minister or government to government. And development should not always be centred in the cities and it should go to the village too. Q:- At the very first interview as the Leader of Opposition, you pledged a new identity and a new image to the Party. You also spoke of re-arranging and re-organisation. Have you achieved your target? A:- Yes, I feel now the party is strong, competitive as well as aggressive and at the same time it is cooperative. Otherwise we will not be able to organise the mass rally and protest "Virodhaya" in several towns before the new government completed four months in office. And, the party organisation process is being done from the village, electorate, and district level. While the President educates the MPs on important issues, the party organisers bring those views to our members in villages. We also conduct a political school. The party hierarchy allows suggestions as well as criticisms from the bottom of the party. We are completely open and receptive to rival ideas and are with the general public, being favourable to their suggestions. Simply, it is a flexible party. Q:- As soon as you were appointed as the Leader of the Opposition you began a protest called 'Virodhaya, and you also brought a musical show called 'Virodha Gee'. How is the feed back you receive? A:- Working with people is in my blood. That is why in the past, I backed the "Janagosha', 'Padayathra', 'Human Chains' and a number of programmes. However, the feedback I received for "Virodha Gee" was excellent. The youth generation in Giruwaya have portrayed suffering in life. They sang on youth unrest, unemployment, privatisation, selling public resources and it was so creative. I have been asked to bring the team to several districts. Q:- The United National Party has already got ready their May Day celebrations. What about your arrangements for that? A:- It is still at discussion level and within two weeks we'll be able to reveal how it would take place. But, I must add this. Today, the Workers' Day has become a day of showing the strength of political parties. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse entered the political arena in 1968
as the SLFP Organiser for the Beliatta electorate on the sad demise of his
father D.A.Rajapakse who had held that seat for decades. In 1970 Mahinda
was the youngest Member of Parliament representing Beliatta in the
Hambantota district and today he has gone through over three decades of
political life.
