|
|
|
  |
| Sunday, 19 December 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
UPFA has set out on correct path - Anura Kumara
Excerpts of the interview: Question: - The maiden budget of the Freedom Alliance Government was passed in Parliament with a majority of 34 votes. What is JVP's comment on the budget, as it is the main partner of the Alliance Government? Answer: - As a whole, the main positive feature of the budget is the detachment from Liberal Capital economic system. For the first time in the country, national economic policies and strategies that are more suitable for the country have been introduced. Having a non-aligned foreign aid policy was a major request of the citizens, and the first budget of the UPFA government was able to prove it. The Budget has also selected more suitable ways and means to implement our strategies. Agriculture, livestock, small and medium scale industries, fisheries and several other sectors were prioritised in the budget. More funds have been allocated to upgrade the conditions of retired persons, children and pregnant mothers. It is a well-balanced budget. Q: - The budget has also suggested increasing working hours of public servants from 8 to 9. What is the JVP's stance on this? A: - Well, it was in the budget. However, the Finance Minister corrected it considering the international labour rules as well as the practical problems of implementing it in our country. We also think that it is not logical to impose rules for people to work. However, if there are people willing to work nine hours, they can do so. However, what the JVP believes is not about the number of working hours but what they do within eight hours in office. To receive an efficient and satisfactory service from them they should be satisfied with what they get in return. Q: - The LTTE leader was reiterating that the peace negotiations should resume only on the ISGA proposals. What is your idea about this? A: - Negotiations should be open and penetrative. We are surprised with his statement. He is bringing some pre-conditions at the same time mentioning that there are no conditions to resume negotiations. Making an early decision that ISGA proposals should be the basis of talks is completely wrong. That is not the accepted way of negotiations. Allowing all participatory parties to forward their proposals and discuss them are better ways for negotiations. It must be Prabhakaran's way to avoid negotiations with the idea of getting Eelam. They used all three ways to achieve their dream. Once they were at war, then the ceasefire agreement and now the negotiations. If someone studies the LTTE's past behaviour, one can easily understand all their efforts were only for Eelam. Q: - Does the JVP have an identified strategy to solve this problem? Did you suggest any idea on this issue to the government? A: - First democratic rights of all citizens should be preserved. Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim; all three communities should have their own rights and obligations. JVP does not have `ready-made' solutions to solve this problem as it is not practical to do so. The way to solve the problem may differ from time to time. Therefore, we will be assisting the Government to find out the most suitable way of solving the problem.Suggestions and demands alone cannot solve this. Q: - The LTTE Leader has directly accused you (JVP) as the stumbling block for a settlement. A: - That is not a surprise. The talks were delayed because of the unfair demands of the LTTE. The LTTE forwarded conditions, while saying that there are no pre-conditions for talks. Therefore, it is useless to expect anything from the LTTE. However, if someone tries to analyse a political party of the country from a statement made by a guerilla leader, it is a matter of shame. Q: - The UNP has decided to bring the public to the streets forcing the government to hold an early Presidential election. What is the JVP's stance on this issue and should the election be held in 2005 or 2006? A: - The matter is up to the Constitution and the Supreme Court. JVP is not bothered about the Presidential Election. However, we have something special over the issue. If Ranil Wickremesinghe tries to be the President of this country with the corporation of the LTTE, we will be there to defeat him. The whole country knows that Mr.Wickremesinghe has a very close and strong relationship with the LTTE. The public too have understood that it is dangerous and if Ranil becomes President of this country the LTTE Leader's dream of separation would come true. We have no hesitation to work to confirm the defeat of Mr. Wickremesinghe. Q: - Have you decided about a JVP candidate for the Presidential Election or will you have one choice as the Freedom Alliance? A: - It is too early to answer this question. However, our intention as I told you is very clear. We will make a decision according to the country's situation of the moment. Q: - The Alliance Government has completed almost 10 months in office. What is your feedback about the proceedings of the government? A: - We had arguments, disputes as well as obstacles. Some how, we have created a correct path for the country to proceed with the economic and social development. We have no internal conflicts as some try to point out, and we still intend to to protect the Alliance Government as well as the needs of the Alliance Government. We are bound to respect the mandate given by the people at the April 2 elections. Alliance Government will fulfil all the promises given to the public. Q: - There were talks about a land bank from your Ministry. What happened to that? Answer: - Farmers Development Act (2000 August) which was passed in Parliament has given powers to the Ministry to acquire uncultivated lands. That does not mean that the government is going to take back the farmers' lands. Instead , we would persuade landowners to use their lands fruitfully. The last regime wanted to sell those lands to the private sector. That is how the story of the land bank was created. The Alliance Government decided to use the same act to bring more benefits for the farming community. Q: - What about the proceedings of your ministry? A: - The 1000 tanks project was successful and the renovation works of more than 900 tanks will be completed this year. The same project will be followed by another project to provide water for renovated tanks. We have also planned to renovate another two projects covering 2000 islandwide tanks. We also began a special project to improve the lifestyle of dairy farmers. According to the project, the Government will assist over 1000 dairy farmers to improve their products. We have also provided them a considerable fertiliser relief and paved the way to sell their products at a profitable price. We have also planned to assist the small and medium scale mill owners. Easy bank loans, guidance services and many other things will be arranged for farmers. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Government Agriculture,
Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister and Kurunegala District MP Anura
Kumara Dissanayake in an interview with the Sunday Observer staffer
Deepal Warnakulasuriya speaks about the UPFA's first budget, peace
negotiations, next presidential election, agriculture ministry development
projects and several other issues.
