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Minister Dew Gunasekara and UNP MP Hemakumara Nanayakkara in one tone claimed that the all political parties should unite to find a solution to the North and East problem while defeating LTTE terrorism.

Q: What are the challenges Sri Lanka has to face in the coming year?

H.N.: The number one problem is the ethnic crisis in the N&E. All responsible citizens want a negotiated solution. Unfortunately Prabhakaran who is acting as a brute or moron is not really gearing his mind for a negotiated settlement. The international community has to play an unbiased role in this. But sad to say some of the International Organisations operating in Sri Lanka are supporting the LTTE in various ways. Sometimes, these people indoctrinate them as to how terrorism should be carried out. I don't blame all but specially Nordic countries. Various organisations of these countries give them equipment, materials and money. They always try to cover the sins of the LTTE. I am disturbed by the statement made by Allen Rock. According to information, he was a Minister in Canada when the LTTE raised funds. The LTTE will try to hoodwink us again by talking to us. But remember that they will not give up violent activities. The three forces and the Police have a daunting task to curb violence and terrorism.

UNP MP Hemakumara Nanayakkara

Minister Dew Gunasekara

D.G.: The National question and economic development are the two main challenges Sri lanka has to face in 2007. I am not so pessimistic but all the factors are in our favour of the solution to the North and East (N&E). Then the second factor is the MoU between the SLFP and UNP. Then moderate Tamil parties and Muslims parties are all in favour of political solution. The Tamil diaspora is also fast changing in our favour. I personally know that people who were talking of a separate state are no longer insisting on Tamil Eelam. The trend is fast changing, may be due to international pressure. Mahanayakas and Buddhist clergy of the four chapters are for a political solution. Now President Mahinda Rajapaksa is in a better position to enter the process of political solution.

Q: Do you think a political solution should be followed by a military strategy?

H.N.: Curbing terrorism is the most important thing. Terrorism is not permitted according to our Constitution and norms of a civilised world. Terrorism has to be controlled using force. At the sametime we have to offer a negotiated settlement to the Tamil, Muslim and Sinhala people living in the North and East. It is meaningless if someone tries to find a solution just to satisfy the LTTE. The LTTE is a mere terrorist organisation. They will not accept any negotiated settlement and enter the democratic mainstream. But the Tamil people should be given an acceptable solution. This does not mean that we should annihilate all the people in the LTTE organisation. There are young people and middle aged people in the LTTE who are willing to renounce violence. We have to rehabilitate them.

D.G.: Political solution is the only way you can get the Tamil people away from the LTTE. Our post independence history is a history of lost opportunities. Now, we must seize opportunities to pursue a political solution. We should offer a solution regardless of LTTE to the Tamil community what is acceptable to us and what is practicable to them. If we take one step further then we can see how the LTTE reacts whether they are prepared to give up Eelam or willing to accept a political solution. We should not forget the fact that the LTTE could resort to violence such as a conventional war, urban and rural guerrilla war, civil disobediences, human shield, suicide squads, etc. So the only way is to win the Tamil people over. The LTTE strength lies not in the arms so much but ability to take cover with civilians making the Government difficult to operates.

Q: Do you think that the Government should de-militarise the LTTE before implementing a solution hopefully by 2007?

H.N.: We have to curb violence. I don't say that they will give up arms but terrorism has got to be controlled whether it is springing in America, Saudi, UK, India or Sri Lanka. Some say that terrorism can be controlled. Actually India curbed terrorism in Kalistan (Punjab) who were fighting for a separate state. Gusman started Shining Path in Peru. JVP terrorism was controlled in Sri Lanka. I can give you hundreds of examples. The people who want to curry favour and support the LTTE, advocate that terrorism can't be controlled.

D.G.: Demilitarise means a full scale war. We tried and failed during the past 20 years. The International Community will corner us if we launch a full scale war. The majority of the Tamil people are ready to accept an alternative to Eelam. We must seize the opportunity. If we opt for a military option means we are pushing the Tamil community towards the LTTE. The LTTE is purely a terrorist organisation and it should be crushed. But, unfortunately they have entangled the national question along with other factors of economic, ethnic, social and various other issues. The LTTE use these issues very successfully for their survival.

Q: The Expert Committee appointed to assist the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) is divided and failed to prepare one paper. So do you think that at least the APRC can formulate one final solution?

H.N.: The Expert Committee is a Heterogenous not Homogenous. Since it is heterogeneous we can't expect them to talk with one voice. From the very beginning, I knew that there will be divisions. As I expected, finally they divided to four groups and presented four opinions. I frankly feel that the All Party Conference (APC) can find a solution. But it will not be successful if some party or group is trying to force a solution down the throat of the people. It is a multifaceted problem and we need to find a multifaceted solution. Lots of people doubt whether it is possible to find a solution. I say it is easy to find a solution. We must ensure all the people irrespective of their cast, religion, race, etc to live in this land as free people. Once you do that, while curbing and controlling terrorism, it will be easy to find a solution.

D.G.: I have my doubts. Even the expert panel reflects the reality that exist in the society. This highest intellectual panel was unable to arrive at a single solution. Even the APRC will be divided over a solution. The most important factor is the two major political parties signed an MOU to address the national question. Bandaranaike, Dudley, J.R., Premadasa, Mrs.Kumaratunga failed to strike such a deal. However, we should not let the MoU go fragile but seize this opportunity.

Q: Can you reach consensus with the JVP and JHU to finalise a solution due to their nationalistic approach?

H.N.: I don't agree with you. All these proposals came to a grinding halt not because of nationalistic forces. They are the representatives of the people. I have nothing to do with the JVP. The so called proposals which were proposed by different leaders did not bear fruit. If Prabhakaran agrees to a solution, the problem comes to an end. If a political party, a Government or expert group tries to betray the country, do you think that other parties should keep their mouth shut. Some people betrayed the country even during the time of British rulers for positions and other gains. There is no difference today. Those who favour may be University dons, politicians, officials, experts and religious dignitaries.

D.G.: I think leaders of these political parties and most people have not gone through the Expert Committee majority report. Experts have given various options to the Government to pick and choose. They were asked to give their views and they did. Are we again going to abandon a political solution due to minor political parties who command a 10 percent voting strength? Remember the two major parties command 80 percent voters. The SLFP- UNP with other parties can influence the thinking process of these two parties.

Q: How will the Sri Lankan economy perform in 2007?

H.N.: Economy of any country cannot progress as long as terrorism continues. We have to ge-together and control terrorism. While doing that hand in hand we have to develop our economy. why is our economy under performing? It is mainly due to corruption from grassroot level at Ministries. It got to be controlled for the sake of the nation. I am of the opinion that if a corrupt officer is found guilty, all his properties should be confiscated. The law should be amended for lifetime imprisonment. This is the only way to address this problem. The majority of the people are not doing their duty as expected. They are up to corrupt practices. We can't control corruption through "bana" or sermons of various religions. We have to bring laws and implement in a proper way ignoring colour of the party, race, religion, etc. This is what Lee Kwan Yew and Dr. Mahathir Mohamed did.

D.G.: The Sri Lankan economy under went many hiccups in the recent past due to internal and external shocks. We paid Rs.2000 million in year 2000 for petroleum imports. Our main income is generated from foreign employment,garment industry, tourist and tea. Tourism is also affected to a certain extent due to the hostilities. The tea industry was affected due to a three week strike and effects of it will even pass on to 2007. So, we need a political strategy for stable economic development. We will concentrate on developing rural economy, regional development, Small and Medium scale industries. We are going to divert all the money in the decentralised budget, line Ministries to the development of rural economy. After 58 years of independence, only the Western province has prospered. The Western Province accounts for 50 percent of the GDP. The Uva, Northern and Eastern provinces are under the poverty belt. Therefore, the 2007 budget will try to shift the concentration of the Western province to other provinces.

Q: Can the Government achieve 2007 Budgets goals with a huge deficit which has to be bridged by local means?

H.N.: I really don't know how the budget deficit will be bridged. Budget figures were read out in Parliament and explained how to accumulate revenue. But whether the expected revenue will come to Government coffers or not, I doubt.

D.G.: One factor we have completely ignored was the Government revenue. The Government revenue was 24 percent as percentage of GDP at the time of introducing open economy. But in 2004 it came down to 13 percent. This is as a result of the fiscal and monetary policies. In the past two years we were able to restore it. In 2005 we brought it to 15 percent. It was 16 percent in 2006 and we are projecting 17 percent in 2007. We have to aggressively push Government revenue. We have to streamline the education, health, subsidies and other assistance to the poor. There is a massive tax evasion that should be addressed.

Q: Every Government had very good development proposals. But our lethargic bureaucrats brought down many Governments. Should the Government introduce drastic administrative reforms in 2007 to overhaul the entire public sector?

H.N.: It is not only the lethargic bureaucrats but also lethargic attitude of some Ministers. I was a Minister for sometime and it was very difficult to get something implemented. Some bureaucrats are extremely good and they work long hours and on weekends. But some others are only concerned about the benefits and foreign trips. The Government should have a special unit to monitor the progress of work. If they are found as liabilities to the nation, such officers should be sent home.

D.G.: I totally agree with you. There are one million public servants in the country. This was my topic at the last budget speech. Corruption, inefficiency and lethargy, are rampant in the public sector. However, its a herculean task to change it. But we have to do it.