Hi! what's up?

By Deepal

Amunugama on confrontational politics

SO: Dr. Amunugama please.

Minister: Speaking, who is speaking?

SO: I am from the Sunday Observer. What's news Minister?

Minister: I am back in the country after a successful tour in Berlin and Frankfurt in Germany. These days, I engage in day to day political activities.

SO: What kind of benefits, can we expect from your trip.

Minister: Why, a lot of benefits. I was capable of meeting the ministers in Germany who are responsible on economic matters, the banking sector representatives. Bilateral negotiations between two countries were stressed and GTZ which is the German Development Agency working here agreed to expand their developments activities into the Eastern Province. The Corporation Development Ministry in Germany was not happy on some projects which had not been completed by some NGOs due to the war situation. I cleared the situation removing all the misunderstanding between the two countries, more over Germany is ready to financially assist us in addition to the current projects.

SO: How do you comment on the present political situation of the country?

Minister: Well, you know some NGOs some in media also have taken an effort to damage the country's image at international level. In such a situation we need to have stability in Parliament with a majority. The government is strong enough to meet any economical challenges as we are politically strong.

SO: What have you got to say on the allegations of former Minister Mangala Samaraweera on increasing cost of living and many other things?

Minister: It is a question that should be answered explaining the background of the issue. Anyway, increasing COL is not a problem which is confined only to Sri Lanka. India, China and several other countries also have the same problem. We have to accept that we should increase the production and reduce consumption. Expansion of productions as well as having a closer look at the spending decisions would ease the problem. On the other hand, the attitude of waiting for everything to get done by the government should be changed. The mentality of receiving everything free should also be changed.

SO: What is your idea of SLFP - Mahajana faction which is to be launched?

Minister: No, those are not topics to be spoken. Something else?

SO: Do you have any message for our readers?

Minister: It is very easy to make Sri Lanka a rich country with the available resources, but this confrontational mentality of politicians and all has blocked it. This is high time to realise the gravity of this issue.

Chandrasena forecast on Mahajana faction

SO: Hello! Minister Chandrasena Please.

Minister: Yes, speaking.

SO: What news Minister?

Minister: I am engaging in a lot of work as I have been given five districts to look into various issues. Preliminary studies are also being carried out to set up a disaster management centre in Horowpathana.

SO: What about the political situation in the country?

Minister: Nothing wrong. You can see. We have made all the arrangements people to live in peace. What else do you mean?

SO: A lot of issues. Anyway I would like to know your reaction on the new party to be set up by former Ministers Mangala Samaraweera and Sripathi Sooriyarachchi.

Minister: So many parties have been set up in the past. But most of those have failed. You know what happened to the party set up by Vijaya Kumaratunga with the assistance of a daughter (Chandrika) from the Prime Ministerial family. Ultimately they had to come back to roots. That is only one example. No different from that fate.

SO: You have criticised former Minister Mangala Samaraweera saying he betrayed the party like his father. Is it fair to do so after he played a major role to bring this government into power?

Minister: I accept both Mangala and Sripathi played a major role. I was also with them assisting the President. But, both who worked to bring this government into power did not help to retain the government power. I see an invisible hand was behind them and the duo began to work for that. On the other hand, Mangala held a major Ministry over 11 years under the leadership of former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. What had they delivered? Nothing. Therefore, I don't see any damage for the party without them.

SO: JVP which played a major role with the government was not with you when the vote of supplementary Estimates on four ministries took place last week. Why?

Minister: Yes, JVP helped us. We expect their support in future too. President wanted them to accept the same four ministries which they held under the Chandrika's regime. But they did not turn up. I do not know why. But I think it is a political trick.

SO: Anything special you want to say?

Minister: Yes, to add to JVP's issue. I want to stress that the JVP has no future on its own or with the UNP. Only option is to work with the SLFP.

Radhakrishnan pooh poohs SB's talk

SO: Deputy Minister Radhakrishnan?

Dep. Minister: Yes, who is speaking there?

SO: I am speaking from the Sunday Observer newspaper. What's news from your side?

Dep. Minister: Nothing special. We have joined with the government and engaged in general political activities.

SO: What are the political activities engaged by you these days?

Dep. Minister: We have several pocket meetings to strengthen the party at village level in the plantation areas. In addition to that we, the central committee members meet always to speak about future activities. For the time being we are working with President Mahinda Rajapaksa to revive the rights of the Tamils.

SO: Former Minister S. B. Dissanayake at a meeting had said that your party came into power on UNP votes? Is that true?

Dep. Minister: What nonsense he is talking. Once he paid the price for wrong use of his mouth. He again and again makes the same mistake. We contested on our party symbol and our leader had answered the former minister. When the people have no power they say unknown things and we do not care.

SO: How do you see the eviction of some Tamils from Colombo lodges as a security measure?

Dep. Minister: It is completely wrong. We expressed our agitation against the act at the same time. But that does not mean, we neglect the country's security. The problem was the way it was done. Anyway, it is a good thing, they were back at their places allowing them to attend to their daily needs.

SO: What kind of changes you expect in the present political situation.

Dep. Minister: I have not thought about any change.

SO: What do you think about the present voting system?

Dep. Minister: I can't categorise it as good or bad. These days there are talks to change the system. What I think is whatever the system, it should have a fair representation for Tamils.

SO: Anything special you have to add?

Dep. Minister: Yes, this an ongoing problem in North and East and should be stopped. I don't think that it can be solved by war. All of us must try to go for a discussion and a solution.