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| Sunday, 21 March 2004 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Swarajya party to support a govt with only 20 ministries
Excerpts of the Interview : by Don Asoka Wijewardena Q: I understand that SWARAJYA is a new political party in Sri Lanka. What exactly does SWARAJYA mean and when was it formed? In how many districts are SWARAJYA candidates contesting? A: SWARAJYA means self-rule and it has been derived from late Mahathma Ghandi's political philosophy. Our entire concept is based on self rule instead of power being held at the centre which has been the cause for all troubles for the last 50 years. SWARAJYA party was formed on the 16th of February 2004. Around 200 candidates will be contesting in 16 districts except the North and East. Q: You were also an active member of the United National Party (UNP) for several years. Are there any specific reasons to leave that party? A: I was a full time member of the UNP Working Committee from 1974 to 1978. In 1978 I was sacked from the UNP for being critical about the new Constitution drafted by late President J. R. Jayewardene. Q: When did you join PA and what kind of role were you playing in the PA government? A: In 1994 I was invited by President Kumaratunga to support the political campaign launched by the PA and I accepted the invitation wholeheartedly. After that as a representative of the then government's peace delegation in 1994 I went to Jaffna and held three rounds of peace negotiations with the LTTE which resulted in the signing of cessation of hostilities agreement. Thereafter my main role was to help the reconstruction and redevelopment of war-damaged infrastructure of the North and East. Q: Does SWARAJYA party have practical solution to the country's burning problems and would you mind elaborating salient features in the SWARAJYA? A: There has been growing dissatisfaction with the present political system and in the electoral process. The number of people who deliberately spoilt their votes at recent elections is an indication of the level of frustration among voters. Tinkering with the existing system will not solve the problems. We have to think afresh. Q: Does your party have a lasting solution to the ethnic problem and what are the basic objectives of the party? A: Our party is based on five principles in keeping with the political structure. Transparency and accountability on the part of elected representatives, peace, security, equality and harmony among all sections of the population under the rule of law, devolution of power to smaller units, free and fair elections at the least possible cost to the nation and maintenance of the integrity and security of the State and of its territorial waters and ocean resources. Our party has proposed 10,000 "Grama Rajayas" which will decide which way to be governed by themselves instead of being dictated to by the top. Any ethnic problem can be solved amicably by addressing the most important and affecting issues and resolving them in a sensible manner and taking impartial decisions without creating friction among different nationalities. Q: Does your party have an intention of joining a major political party in case there is a hung Parliament and does your party have specific conditions or party policies towards major political parties? A: Yes. Our party has been formed to create a new concept of governance which will eliminate corruption, maladministration and political malpractices. Our party has decided not to join any winning party which creates more than 20 ministries. Q: How do you intend to conduct the SWARAJYA political campaign? A: We believe in the Ghandiyan principle of non-violence, non-confrontation and non-divisiveness action which will lead to bring in our people together in this effort. We will not criticise any individual, any political party or institution during our political campaigns. We will not cause any environmental pollution like using amplified sounds in speaker systems and using polythene. We will not ask any preferential votes as our candidates have come forward in the spirit of sacrifice for a worthy cause. Those who believe in our mission to change the existing system can express their wish through a simple exercise. |
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| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
General Secretary of the newly formed SWARAJYA party Navin Gooneratne
was interviewed by the "Sunday Observer" on the new party's
election programme.
