Hi! what's up?

By Deepal

Long term plan for transport sector

Roadside Passenger Transport Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanne

SO: Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanne please.

Minister: Yes, who is speaking there?

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

Minister: What do you mean in politics or....

SO: We say politics.

Minister: Well, we formed a regime with a leader who loves the country. We have done much good during last two years. But there are some forces which shout seeking petty political advantages.

SO: How do you assess the country's transport situation?

Minister: Well, we are just completing the century after the introduction of passenger transport. Since then ministers and higher authorities had done something for the sector but everyone had failed to give a strong push for the national development of the country. The reason may be they haven't thought of concrete and long term plans. But, the present Minister Dullas Alahapperuma and myself have understood the gravity of the problem and we are working for that national purpose.

SO: What kind of measures have been taken to meet that challenge?

Minister: As you mentioned it is a challenge. We can't do it overnight. We have to begin it from somewhere. At first, we identified and remedied the woes of the employees in the transport sector. Last week, we reduced the bus fare on 176 roads after supervising selected 500 roads. You see, we have a lot of things to correct. We have drafted short/medium and long term plans on how to overcome the problems in the sector.

SO: A national policy on private bus service was a much talked about subject. But nothing had was delivered. Is it a difficult task introducing such a thing?

Minister: No, that is not a difficult task. But we have to study and speak with all the relevant parties. That will take time. And I am happy to say that Minister Alahapperuma met all the provincial chief ministers and transport ministers last week to discuss the matter which you raised. Another meeting will be held in the second week of August. Now we are in the process.

SO: The UNP and the SLFP-M faction held a mass rally against the government. They also talk about a regime change. What are these talks?

Minister: Yes, those are only talks? If you can remember, the Siddhalepa Veda Mahattaya contesting for the Presidential Election said that he would win the election. That is the way. The Opposition is also doing the something. But they know very well they can't go for a regime change.

SO: You mean it is not worthwhile to delve on it.

Minister: Yes, All these are nonsense. I challenge them if they can bring five lakhs of people to Galle Face Green. The Transport Ministry is ready to provide free transport, stage decorations and everything. They can't. You see they knew their power. That's why they selected Hyde Park grounds instead of a large place.

SO: Are you satisfied in working as a non-Cabinet minister?

Minister: My problem is time. A lot of things to attend but time is the block: On the other hand, we are still young to politics. We have time to learn. Even today I think that unless I learn as a Provincial Council member, it would be difficult to attend national level development issues.

Thoppigala not a military victory

SO: MP, Mano Ganeshan please!

MP: Yes, Speaking.

SO: Well. I am from the Sunday Observer and will you be available to speak to the "Hi What's Up!?

MP: Yes, of course.

SO: Then, what's latest?

MP: You know I have a lot of things to attend as a parliamentarian. Some times as the leader of WPF, and another time as the President of DWC. Anyway, these days I am very busy with the functions of the Civil Monitoring Commission. As the government has much more opportunities me to engage in the cases of abductions. etc.

SO: How do you assess the country's present situation?

MP: We are in cross-roads. I mean we have two fronts to discuss. On one side human rights violations are taking place. In the other side, in the political front, opinions are expressed regarding the ethnic issue. Some work for a unitary State, some for federalism, some for the Indian system. This is the situation. But nothing useful in taking place anywhere.

SO: What are you trying to say? Is the government doing nothing?

MP: Yes, the government has neglected and forgotten its responsibility. If we take the abduction issue, the government says that most of the abducted persons have returned home and some gone abroad. These replies are ridiculous. That is not the responsibility of a government. Anyway, what we question are the abductions which were done with systematic and planned abductions.

SO: How do you assess the Thoppigala clearance by the Armed Forces?

MP: Thoppigala is called Kudumbimalei in Tamil. Anyway that "malei or gala" victory by the Forces cannot be considered as a military victory. Anyway, the government uses this battle within its political military agenda. If the government wants to encourage the soldiers, there are ways and means to do it. But it should not be done breaking the hearts of Tamil people. I do not like this kind of political blunders.

SO: Is that true that you are to join with the UNP and SLFP-M faction at the rally at Hyde Park.

MP: Yes, I am on my way to participate in it. We seek and work for a quick change in the political arena.

SO: Why, such a hurry for a political change?

MP: The government so far has not understood or addressed the root causes of these HR cases. It is serious. We have to work against this process. Rajapaksa administration has failed in the effort and we'll be joining anyone to solve our problems.