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| Sunday, 22 February 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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'Protecting territorial integrity important for any country'
Excerpts of the interview by DON ASOKA WIJEWARDENA Q: Your party has always stood for a strong Sinhala identity of Sri Lankan nation, but you have now joined an Alliance whose leader supports the ceasefire with the LTTE and her draft Constitutional proposal offers to divide the country into a union of regions. Does this mean that you have changed your basic position? Would you accept such a future political settlement of the current conflict? A: The MEP has always stood for the majority Sinhala Buddhists in the country, but we have not adopted a policy of dividing citizens as Tamils, Muslims and other communities. We feel that the most important issue for any country is to protect its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Problems of society should be solved democratically and practical solutions could be evolved if principles of democracy are accepted in order to solve issues. We are a non-violent patriotic party following democratic principles irrespective of ethnicity. Q: What does your party hope to achieve by joining this Alliance? A: MEP became a member of the People's Alliance in the year 2000 and since then we have worked towards broadening an Alliance of the opposition forces. Let us not forget in 1956 the then Prime Minister late S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike and my father Philip Gunawardena formed an Alliance that brought the historic 1956 silent revolution encompassing the "Pancha Maha Balawagaya". In the modern world new fronts are formed to achieve economic advancement. The United National People's Freedom Alliance unites patriotic and progressive forces to safeguard our country as its people who have been suffering economically under the neglected UNP regime which has collapsed by now. It is our task to rebuild our country and take our country to a modern developed economy,but at the same time not forgetting people's standard of living. Q: In how many districts will you field MEP candidates? A: I am unable tell all the details at this moment but I must say that candidates from my party will contest in a few districts. We will be actively participating in the election campaigns in all districts. Q: Do you expect to hold Cabinet portfolios if the Alliance wins? Will the MEP get more than one ministry or deputy ministry? A: It is a decision of the head of the state and the Alliance. Our party has delivered with honesty and dedication whatever responsibilities that have been given to us at different times. We should serve all the countrymen alike. Q: Whether the Freedom Alliance wins this election or not,do you think that there should be some kind of collaboration with the UNP for the purpose of resolving the national crisis, especially negotiations with the LTTE? A: The Alliance has very clearly declared that it will commence negotiations with the LTTE for a political settlement under the Alliance government with democratic forces who are interested in finding a solution to the problem. We will have a role to play with UPFA government. Q: The people are sick of violence during the elections. How can you personally contribute towards preventing or reducing violence during the forthcoming elections? A: Violence has become a dangerous cancer in our political life. If politicians respect the law and order of the country, this country will be a better place. As far as we are concerned we are totally dedicated to respect the law of the land, human lives democratic rights and viewpoints. I feel the present situation contributes heavily to violence, animosity and conflict. It is extremely important to respect the election laws and assist law-enforcing authorities by all politicians and their supporters. Whenever breach of law is reported the culprits should be brought under control and disciplined irrespective of their might. Q: Plastic has become a serious threat to our environment. Will you obey the call of environmentalists and not use plastic and polythene in any form for decorations and banners during your campaign? A: I have respected this norm even during the last election and I would appeal to all politicians, as future leaders of the society, to respect, feel and show gratitude to the environment in which human beings have the right to live and not contribute to any form of environmental damage from plastic and polythene. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
Dinesh Gunawardena was educated at Royal College, Colombo, the
Netherlands School of Business and the University of Oregon in the United
States. In both seats of higher learning he read business economics. Since
his return to Sri Lanka he has immersed himself in politics, taking over
the leadership of the Mahajana Eksath eramuna (MEP) which his father
Philip Gunawardena helped to found in 1956. He was interviewed by the
"Sunday Observer" on the activities involved in the election
campaign and the importance of his party joining the Freedom Alliance.
