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| Sunday, 12 December 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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I am no stranger, says new N-E Governor
Excerpts of the interview:- Question: You have been appointed as the Governor of the North and East Province. How do you see this appointment at a time the peace process is stalled? Answer: It is a challenge and I am very grateful to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga for having confidence in me. I have been in the United National Party for nearly thirty years and despite that, she has selected me for this job and I hope to do justice to her confidence. Whether the peace talks are on or stalled our work goes on . The Governor is the Chief Executive of the Provincial Council. The previous Governor Maj. General Asoka Jayawardene has ear-marked about Rs. 7,000 million to be spent next year. So I will work towards alleviation of poverty and all sufferings of the people in the region in order to help the peace process. As Governor I must re-emphasize that my administration will ensure that the development goes on both in cleared and uncleared areas. For instance President herself has given Rs.10 million out of her funds to build a library in Kilinochchi, which is entirely under the control of the LTTE. Q: How far you are familiar with the North and East terrain? A: My Father Shelton C. Fernando a civil servant, was Commissioner of Co-operatives and later Permanent Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs. He was a great friend of the North and East. When I was a young boy around the age of seven or eight I was travelling with my father all over the North and East and I have very pleasant memories of places, people and food. Later as a lawyer I practised in the region. As a Chairman National Integration Committee in the UNP I had many dealings with the people of all walks of life in the North and East. So I am not a stranger to the region. Q: There are fears among the people that if the peace process is delayed further, war may erupt again. Any comments? A: I think the resumption of war is unlikely. But anything is possible and we have the past experience of talks which were broken down and stalled and wars were started. However, both sides are really weary of the war. They have tasted the fruits of peace, and I think everyone including the International community will ensure that war does not start again because both sides will lose whatever they have gained. Q: You were the Foreign Minister in the United National Front (UNF) government of Ranil Wickremesinghe when the Ceasefire Agreement was signed. What is your assessment of the UNF's handling of the negotiations that followed? A: I was not part of the negotiating team. I was involved in the Foreign Affairs component in keeping governments informed. That's all. I think the negotiators could have been more tactful and more effective. For instance, they created a situation of having an aid meeting in Washington to which the LTTE could not possibly attend because they were banned in the USA. That was one reason why the LTTE left the negotiating table. Q: Do you think a bipartisan approach should have been taken towards conducting negotiations? A: I have always favoured a bi-partisan approach to solving the ethnic problem. Whatever changes are to be made in the Constitution to satisfy the political aspirations of the Tamils a two-third majority is required in Parliament. So a Southern consensus is absolutely essential to solve the problem. Unfortunately during Ranil Wickremesinghe's administration the President was not fully briefed about the peace process. All efforts made by me to bring about a harmonious working relation between Premier Ranil and President Chandrika, made Ranil only suspicious of me and ultimately it led to my exclusion from Parliament. President Chandrika on the other hand was much more amiable to such a relationship, you will remember that in the year 2000 a new Constitution was drafted by a committee consisting of President and some of her Ministers and on her invitation by Ranil and some Parliamentarians including myself. But now Ranil's only objective appears to be becoming President in 2005. Q: What are your comments on the ISGA proposals put forward by the LTTE? A: Well I am sure those are not the proposals which even the LTTE would consider, as a basis for final solution. But nevertheless, it could be a basis for a discussion. After all they are not asking for a separate state. It is a step forward, because at least the LTTE has put down something concretely. So now we have to negotiate from there. Q: As the Governor of the North and East what are your priorities going to be? A: I am succeeding a military man who did a good job as a Governor. Myself as a civilian and also as a minority person of being a Christian, having been a UNPer for a long time, I think I could be more useful in creating a new atmosphere favourable to the peace process and lessening some of the misunderstandings and the tension in the region. After all I consider my role as not just sitting and governing the people but as serving them to bring down their hardships on behalf of the Government of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. Q: What is your observation on the Norway's role as a facilitator? A: A facilitator is essential in this process. In fact in 1996 twenty-nine MPs from Sri Lanka attended a seminar in Northern Ireland and I was the rapporteur. It was in that seminar I first of all suggested a facilitator to our problem and all the MPs agreed. It was from there Norway came into the scene after about five years and their role led to the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government and the LTTE. The role of a facilitator is always a difficult task. Before we condemn Norway we should still give them a chance. They have played a vital role in creating the ceasefire and giving some hope in working towards a peaceful settlement. On the other hand the Norwegians should also ensure that they are playing a well balanced role in handling the peace process. Q: As a former Minister of Foreign Affairs how do you see the international community's concerns over the peace process ? A: The international community is watching us intently. They are concerned because there are a large number of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living in various countries. Basically the world community admires Sri Lanka as a small democratic country with friendly people. And they are rather saddened to know the turmoil in Sri Lanka which led to the losses of lives and properties. For instance the US President George Bush is an admirer of Sri Lanka and his government is following the developments with regard to the peace process very closely. In the eighties India played a different role, but now they are playing a very positive role towards the Sri Lankan peace process. So we have to tap all those resources of goodwill. The International community is very important in our economic upliftment. We can no longer think of going backwards. I fully agree that traditional and cultural values should be natured and fostered. On the other hand we should also accept the constructive changes taking place globally in economic and technological spheres. |
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| Produced by Lake House |
Newly appointed Governor of the North and East
Tyronne Fernando,
interviewed by Sunday Observer staffer Ananth Palakidnar says he is quiet
familiar with his new terrain and is no stranger there. He hopes he could
be more useful in creating an atmosphere more conducive to the peace
process in the currently tense province.
