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| Sunday, 7 March 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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'Alliance will exceed 1994 results in Colombo district' by Deepal Warnakulasuriya
Q: - Colombo district especially Colombo Municipal area being multi-ethnic, multi religious and the home ground of the captains of commerce is generally accepted to be a UNP stronghold. But the myth was blown in 1994 when the People's Alliance secured 11 seats as opposed to UNP's 09. Then in 2001 the situation was altered - the UNP secured 12 seats, the PA 07 and the JVP 02. What are UPFA prospects in Colombo district at this election? A: - Well, the Alliance will exceed the 1994 results in Colombo district at this election. Whatever the religion or the ethnic group in Colombo Municipal area they feel the cost of living is high and the difficulty of finding a job. Unemployment is all over and no solution was given by the last government. Further 46,000 employees in CWE, State Trading Corporation, Salusala and several other private companies lost their employment opportunities. The closure of some institutions both government and private has made unemployment a major issue in the Colombo district. Certain labour laws enforced by the government were attacked by a number of powerful trade unions and some had even gone for fasting campaigns. In the Health sector one after the other, the farming community, teachers and almost all the trade unions came to Colombo to stage their protest campaigns. The housing problem and unrest is also vastly faced by the CM area people. Though all ethnic groups live together in Colombo district, they don't feel any difference between or among religious or ethnic groups. So, I think we can capitalise on this and get the people's support more than what we got in 1994. The most important thing is that the people in the Colombo Municipal area and outside are of the view that it is high time to change the government and give an opportunity to the alliance to upgrade the living standards of the people in CMC and the country. We have no doubt we could get a huge majority in all electorates in Colombo MC area while even taking Kotte, Avissawella and Kolonnawa. Q: - Some people are of the opinion President Chandrika Kumaratunga overplayed her hand in dissolving Parliament well before its term. How would you justify this seeming unreasonable action? A: - The government commenced the peace process two years ago and had six rounds of talks at various places. However, the LTTE withdrew from the negotiation table in April last year but handed over their ISGA proposals to the government on October 31. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was out of the country to meet the USA President George W. Bush while, the LTTE handed over their vital document. He should have gone to meet the USA President after receiving and analyzing the proposals and issues in the document. However, the result was that the general public reasonably doubted the Premier's conduct. The lack of transparency in the peace process led to people's uncertainty. The President was under pressure from the majority of people and certain organisations that the Defence Ministry should be taken back. A majority of people were not satisfied with the functioning of the Defence Ministry. Therefore, the President took back the Defence Ministry and at the same time, the Interior Ministry (mainly Police) to bring about solutions to increasing crime all over the island. Further the government handled the media like their private business. Former Media Minister Imitiaz Bakeer Markar was fully depressed over how the media was conducted and he refused to contest the election this time. The same reasons made the President to take back three ministries and one recent survey done by an independent organisation had indicated that people in the Southern part of the country believe it as a right decision. This was the first time the President and the Prime Minister came from two different parties. She tried her best to have a mutual understanding and a cohabitation process. But, nothing worked out and Public Administration, development work and everything came to a standstill. So, she did not have an alternative and she emphasised two three months ago that unless the cohabitation process works out, people will have to be given an opportunity to make their decision at a general election. The President has another two years in office and I am sure that people will elect a government which can work with the President. Q: - Very powerful forces will be arraigned against you and your team in Colombo district - the bastion of the UNP. How do you expect to deal with such a situation? A: - Now, we are an Alliance. We have the support of SLFP, JVP and several other parties. If we had allied at the last general election, there would not have been a UNF regime in the country as at present. However, after two years in power, today the UNF has nothing to say to its voters. They are not going to give promises because a lot of promises given by them last time were not kept by them. What are the new projects they began in Colombo district with six ministers including the Prime Minister from the district. Some ministers most of the time were not in the country and on foreign tours. If one calculates the days they have engaged in political activities in the country it is less than the days they have spent in foreign countries. The majority out of 1.35 million voters in Colombo are from the middle class and the rest is below the poverty line. Now, they have decided to give a chance to the Alliance to do something for the country. Able bodied UNF ministers with poor performances will be asked to be at home to let the right persons to deal with issues of the needy. Q: - You have gained a reputation as being a `Mr. Clean' in politics who prefers the thrust and parry of debate to third degree methods. Has this paid dividends in your political career? A: - Yes, I wanted to be a professional politician. See, our Cricket team. We were playing Cricket for a number of years, but our players were on a part time basis. After we made a professional team we won the World Cup and now they are doing very well. Likewise, in every field professionals are a must and that is what is lacking in our country. Here, what we should do is we have to train professionals not just officers or politicians. Especially, in the political arena we need professional politicians. Therefore, in my case I am a university degree holder and an Attorney. I have also taken my banking examinations and presently I am a PIM student of Sri Jayewardenepura University for a Masters in Public Administration. I will be completing the course next June. And further I always update my knowledge and you hardly find politicians doing this type of things. To change the people's attitudes we need right leaders. You are right, I tried to be `Mr. Clean' not for any other reason but by becoming a professional politician with an academic background with experience I could do a lot for the people. Q: - What efforts will you make to instill discipline among all UPFA candidates islandwide? A: - There are people from various categories and everywhere we have different types of people. However, we have a noble target to achieve working together. Anyhow, we will not allow our candidates to engage in any political violence activities and other political activities which are not accepted by the people. The candidates will also be instructed and controlled at party level during the election period and even after that. Q: - The UPFA is asking for a massive mandate to change the Constitution. Given the PR scenario if such a mandate is not received are there plans to adopt an all inclusive constituent assembly procedure to bring about changes in the Constitution? A: - Yes, under the PR system it is not easy to get a two third majority at a general election, but, We are sure that we will be given a strong mandate as we experienced in 56, 70 and several other occasions. We will be assisted by all the MPs and we will be able to change the Constitution introducing a more suitable one solving the ethnic problem and paving the way for development. Q: - Chief Minister, a Cabinet Minister... are you targeting any higher position? With your great acceptance the office of Speaker for example? A: - In my political career, I have never requested for posts or positions. Most recent example is when I was appointed as the Secretary General of the United People's Freedom Alliance, I was not in the Country. Anyhow, whatever task given to me, I have done with every effort. I do not expect any posts. Q: - How do you react to the presence of Bhikkus on masse as JHU nominees? Do you think they will erode the UPFA vote bank? A: - The Maha Sangha was persuaded to enter the active political arena by the UNF's 2 years and two months governance in the country. I don't want to further comment on this but my position is Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and his government are totally responsible for the Maha Sangha's decision. Q: - Even those who voted for the UNF in 2001 could not identify themselves with some of the actions of that government and were supportive of the President's move to takeover Defence, for example. Losing the support base is a common phenomenon in the case of most governments. How do you expect to maintain and add on to the support base that you are obviously expecting to form the next government? A: - How the Prime Minister and several others ran the government was witnessed by the whole country. The reasons that compelled the President to takeover three Ministries are now known by the country. Therefore, there is no need to repeat what happened in the past. However, when we form the next government in April, we will get the views of the people, civil society, political parties, intellectuals and all the sectors in the country. We will be conferring with all the needy sectors before we take major policy decisions in governance. Q: - Any special message to the voters on behalf of the UPFA? A: - We will be able to meet the aspirations of the people in all sections of society and we will be going for a negotiated settlement over the national problem. We have plans for economic development not like the rumours publicised by the UNP propaganda machinery. The business community has been threatened that there will be some limitations in possessing assets etc. and I want to say those are totally untrue and don't be misled by those allegations of UNF. At every election the UNP had only propaganda and it is same this time too. April 2 is your decision-making day and don't forget to take the right decision. Q: - Do you like to comment on other prioritised areas other than the major issue, ethnic problem? A: - Yes, we have arranged to publish our election manifesto early this week based on five major concepts which we were agreed upon by all the parties in the Alliance touching on each and every major issue in the country. It will cover the problems of unemployment, housing, farming and fishing community, labour, new investments, local industries etc. |
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News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
As leader of the United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) in Colombo
district and General Secretary of the UPFA Susil Premjayanth is in a
commanding position to assess the electoral chances of the Freedom
Alliance. In this exclusive interview with 'Sunday Observer' he strikes a
cord with the current state of affairs in the country.
