Hi! what's up?

Rail fare hike only after uplifting service

Sunday Observer: Minister Alahapperuma please?

Minister: Speaking

SO: Minister, I am from the Sunday Observer. We heard about a fare hike in railways. Is it fair to go for a fare hike without improving the service?

Minister: No. We have taken measures to improve the service and there after, train fares would be increased.

SO: What kind of development measures are in the offing?

Minister: New power-sets and compartments will be imported soon to meet the demand. While the necessary physical resources are provided, we will also make a good working environment for the staff.

SO: Still we see the same lethargic CTB service. Any move to change this situation?

Minister: CTB's fleet at present is 4200 and plans are afoot to increase it upto 5000 before the end of this year. But the target for CTB is a fleet of 7000 buses. Therefore, discussions are going on with the relevant authorities for the purpose. On the other hand, the CTB has over 42,000 employees and the number has to be curtailed, when the service is upgraded.

SO: When you were appointed as the Minister of Transport, the public had new hopes for the State transport system. Will you be able to fulfil that hope?

Minister: Yes, of course. I will definitely fulfil their hopes and aspirations with regard to the CTB and the railways.

SO: Would it be easy to remedy the present CTB?

Minister: The State of the CTB is very deplorable. Now we are in the middle of the dark tunnel. Very soon we will be able to come out. But, we have to work hard to achieve the target. I can definitely do it.

SO: You are the chief organiser for SLFP in Matara district. Won't the new appointment be an obstacle to function as the humble politician the whole country knows?

Minister: As the organiser for the Kamburupitiya electorate, I was familiar with the people. This elavation to the rank of the district leader is a welcome move and it will allow me to extend my services for the people whom I represent. I am the same politician and have no problem to engage in genuine politics.

SO: Some say that they never expect you to criticise former Minister Mangala Samaraweera or anyone else on a live television program. How do you assess this charge against you? Is that politics?

Minister: Mr. Mangala Samaraweera is a very good friend of mine. I am the one who tries my best to keep him within the ranks of the party. This is known to him too. The rumour that I criticised the former Minister over a Rupavahini program is not true and only dealt with certain issues which had been raised by Mr. Samaraweera with regard to matters of the party. I have never criticised anybody in my life or levelled charges against anyone on personal grounds. No, there is no misunderstanding between us.

Jayalath J. speaks on publicity

SO: Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena please?

MP: Speaking who is at the other end?

SO: I am from Sunday Observer . Dr. Jayawardena what's the latest?

MP: On my side nothing new. But the government is harassing the opposition MPs.

SO: Why, what happened to you?

MP: So far nothing. I have tabled two reports which say that my life is under threat. But, those were not taken into serious consideration by the authorities.

SO: I read somewhere that you have said that you are not answerable to the TID but to the people. Does it mean that you neglect the country's security?

MP: No, TID can question me at anytime. My prime responsibility is to the people who elected me.

SO: What about the cheap publicity allegations?

MP: I am a politician. I need publicity. I can't attend to my political activities without publicity. But I have a problem. I do not know the cheap publicity the TID was talking about. In that sense there should be expensive publicity too. After all, what I think is they had another motive behind this incident.

SO: But, you were questioned by the TID about someone else. Therefore, your duty is assisting them with what you know.

MP: I did. I told them what I know. Are they going to question ministers G.L. Pieris and Milinda Moragoda? They were also with us in the East, when the historic CFA was signed. It was me who organised 'Samangi Daham Charika' (A pilgrimage from Kataragama to Jaffna) in 2002. We did such kind of things for the country not to create unnecessary problems.

SO: I saw you driving your vehicle into the Parliament premises without allowing for due check-ups last Wednesday.

MP: No, No, I was signalled to go forward by the police guards there and that's why I drove directly. I am not disrespecting the country's law and order at anytime.

SO: Are there any UNP MPs to cross over to the ruling party?

MP: I do not think so. The government is sinking. I don't think that anyone wants to board a sinking ship.

SO: What are these talks about a broad alliance with the assistance of former Ministers Mangala and Sripathi?

MP: We will see. This is not the right time to divulge the issues. But I can say that cordial discussions are going on.

Not 10 per cent - but 25 per cent

SO: Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle

Minister: Yes.

SO: Well, I am from the Observer and what's the latest?

Minister: I am very busy with exposing Mangala Samaraweera's nudism. What can he do with Mr. Ranil Wickremesinghe? He is running after a mirage.

SO: Is there any possibility for a sudden general election?

Minister: No way. Next General Election will be held in 2010 and the Presidential Election in 2011.

SO: But, the Opposition is getting ready for an alliance to defeat the Government.

Minister: Those are only mere talks. Do you think that the parties such as TNA, UNP and JVP can work together. I'll tell you, Mangala has suggested to Ranil Wickremesinghe to change its party symbol enabling him to get the JVP's support. But that is also not enough for them for a majority. No one in our camp will cross over to the UNP at this time but several MPs from the UNP will be coming to the ruling party. That is the situation.

SO: What kind of relationship do you have with the former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga?

Minister: I do not have any "new" relationship. Wherever and whenever I see an injustice I am there. That's why I spoke on behalf of the former President. That's all. And if something happens to Ranil Wickremesinghe I would be there to support him. That is how I work.

SO: What do you think about the Prime Minister's suggestion to cut down the ministers' salary by 10% per cent?

Minister: It was a suggestion by the President forwarded by the Prime Minister. That was not 10 per cent. We are experiencing a salary cut of 25 per cent.

SO: I mean is that satisfactory or enough from the public' point of view?

Minister: Why? The Ministers' salary was initially cut down by 15 per cent. Rs. 64550 was reduced to Rs. 54,285. Now, with this 10% it has been reduced to Rs. 48,000. We have done something and I invite the Opposition MPs to follow suit.

SO: Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera has been invited by a senior SLFPer to join the SLFP again. What do you think?

Minister: No problem. Not at all.

Mangala or anyone else who comes to the SLFP we welcome them. But, why is only Mangala invited? Then, Sripathi should also be invited. Otherwise, it cannot be done.

SO: Anything special you have got to say?

Minister: No. Nothing else.