Mayantha sets out on political journey

Mayantha Dissanayake, the younger son of the late Minister Gamini Dissanayake, took to active politics on the SLFP ticket on the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa who appointed him as chief organiser for the Colombo West electorate on February 8. Along with the cross over of his brother UNP MP Navin Dissanayake to the government, the turn of events surprised the UNP establishment and made many people ponder as to why the two sons of one of the most powerful and memorable UNP Ministers of Sri Lanka's history decided to lend their support to President Rajapaksa. Mayantha Dissanayake in conversation with 'Sunday Observer' Senior Associate Editor Lionel Yodhasinghe explains the reasons.

Q: You have a strong UNP political background. Why did you decide to join its main rival, the SLFP?

A: I joined the SLFP on President Mahinda Rajapaksa's invitation, and I took this decision after consulting my family members including my mother and brother who gave their blessings. There are several reasons for me to join the SLFP and accept to organise an electorate. First, I see a big change within the SLFP. The party has opened its doors for youth with talents and enthusiasm irrespective of their political colour, ideas or any other petty differences. This openness indicates a matured democracy within the party and political shrewdness of the present leadership which I admire most. This openness would probably attract more youth though they have different political views because they want to contribute their share towards the edifice of the nation. By joining this government, I am determined to work hard and give my fullest contribution to the development of this great country and serve the people in the way my father taught us. As for political backgrounds, yes I come from a strong UNP political background. But the SLFP is not a new party to our family. My grandfather, Andrew Dissanayake represented Nuwara Eliya in the SLFP government before 1970. My father started politics contesting the same electorate on the UNP ticket in 1970. This was because the then UNP leader and Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake saw the potential in my father and invited him to contest the elections on the UNP ticket.

Q: You could gain an easy win if you are posted to a Mahaweli area. But giving a UNP stronghold such as Colombo West, don't you think that President Rajapaksa is testing you?

A: President Rajapaksa may see some winning qualities in me and may have decided to put me to face challenges and learn politics the hard way. Leaders are not born but they are made, to make a leader, one should face challenges and do some hard work to achieve the real targets. I strongly feel that President Rajapaksa needs to groom a team of talented youth and train them the hard way to take up any future challenges. Therefore, giving me an opportunity to organise a competitive electorate, I take it as a challenge to prove myself, my capability and prowess.

Q: A local weekend newspaper recently published several pictures of you worshipping President Rajapaksa after receiving the letter of appointment as the chief organiser, and its caption referred to another incident that has ridiculed your act. Your comments:

A: President Rajapaksa is in my father's age group, and I know him from my childhood days as my father and President Rajapaksa were closely associated as politicians since the early 1970s. He has been a family friend since those years. I have always had great respect for him as a politician, a family friend and as a human being.

I am born and bred in a Buddhist cultural background. The Buddha's words poojaca poojaniyanan etanmangala muttamam was indoctrinated in me by my parents who taught me to be humble and worship those whom I respect. The President, Our President, a close friend of my father's, whom I respect and admire gave me the opportunity to realize one of my long cherished dreams, of entering active politics and serving our people. Worshipping him at the time was the only way I felt fitting to show my gratitude given our connection. What's wrong with my act? Only a person with inculcated values could be humble to show respect to elders, and I am proud to be such a person. If somebody tries to ridicule cultural and religious values in a person and sling mud to achieve narrow political gains, such malice would be reflected upon the man.

I believe people can see through such machinations. With the influence of my father's political legacy, I could have vied for any position in politics, but I never begged positions from anybody. My decision is not an instant one but a decision taken after a thorough study of the present political situation in the country. I believe that President Rajapaksa has a genuine need to eliminate terrorism and he is the only leader who works with full commitment to do so.

Q: How did your relatives and family friends, all green stalwarts respond to your decision to join the SLFP?

A: They were shocked at the first instance, but later they realised that I did it for valid reasons. And when I explained to them my stand, they agreed with me and promised to support my cause whatever their positions and political affiliation to the UNP. Most of them have pledged to extend their full support already to prepare my base in the electorate. They are gradually lightening their dark green stance. And very soon, I assure you, that they would turn a shade of blue.

Q: Do you find that your political vision is in harmony with that of President Rajapaksa?

A: Peace and development are on top of the agenda of President Rajapaksa's government. These are my goals and they were my father's goals as well. The Mahinda Chinthana, as a vision and policy statement is in line with my thinking. I do not find any stumbling blocks in my way of achieving such goals as my visions are matched with those of President Rajapaksa.

Q: How do you feel about the economic policies of this government?

A: The SLFP today has evolved from its socialist beginnings; it is not sticking to a closed economic system, and has been following the open economic system which is the system widely in operation in most countries. There are also no strict restrictions in major areas such as education, health, infrastructure, foreign investments and so on. What we need to do is develop all these sectors to the level of those in the developed countries. My dream is to achieve such development in this country so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of an open economy.

Q: By entering politics at a very young age, how do you see the government's planning for the country's youth?

A: The youth are the future of this country. It is the general perception that the youth are the live-wire of any country, and there is no exception in our country. And I personally believe that President Rajapaksa has a genuine need to motivate the youth to take the future challenges in many spheres of society including politics.

His decision to include me in the political foray is a clear example of President Rajapaksa's readiness to give leadership to any prospective youth if he or she possesses the necessary qualities and is ready to take up challenges.

The country has had enough unpleasant experience of youth unrest which resulted in armed struggles largely due to the failure of successive governments' to address issues pertaining to the youth.

Educating the youth and training them properly on productive ventures to enable them to contribute towards the development of the country while earning a good income would solve many problems of the youth in this country.