'Now there is political stability'

Jathika Hela Urumaya former MP Ven. Dr. Omalpe Sobhitha Thera

SO: How is your political life after resigning from Parliament?

Ven. Thera: Well I resigned from Parliament to make way for Mr. Champika Ranawaka to be sworn in as a MP. Now, I engage myself mainly in Buddhist activities.

SO: What do you think of the present political situation of the country?

Ven. Thera: Unlike any other period, the country at present has a political stability. The present leadership is in the process of eradicating terrorism. That positive situation affects all other areas such as the economy, society, culture and so on.

SO: But, the public is facing it difficult to live as the cost of living is so high. Has the JHU taken any positive steps on that?

Ven. Thera: Yes. Depending on the situations, the JHU has discussed with the respective authorities. But, we can't prevent some of the factors which resulted in high COL which are due to the international trade behaviour. At the same time, we have a criticism against the government too. We have a large Cabinet in addition to the large number of non-cabinet ministers.

SO: Again the "Federalism" is the talk of the town. What do you think about this word-battle?

Ven. Thera: I personally do not believe in that that is the UNP's true face. After failing with all other slogans, now they are going to reject federalism which they represented not only in the country but internationally too. That is their latest tactic to cheat the public.

SO: Why do you say it is a tactic by the UNP?

Ven. Thera: Almost all the UNP leaders had attractive slogans except the present leader. Now, he is trying with this. In due course, he will also say, "Prabhakaran is a terrorist and he should be killed". That is the only thing left for him to say.

SO: After campaigning for Mahinda Rajapaksa's victory, you were entrusted with only one ministry. Are you satisfied with it?

Ven. Thera: Yes, of course. That is more than enough. We will do our best for the country.

SO: What do you think of being a politician at least for a shorter period?

Ven. Thera: I have nothing to worry about what we did in the past. I felt we did something which was needed by whole the country. You imagine, unless we assist Mahinda Rajapaksa to be in the President of the country, we will have to live in a devided country. Today people in the North and the East have a sigh of release because of that decision. The soldiers have completely stopped fleeing from the army. The recruitment process for the forces is more satisfactory than any other time. Therefore what we did was right thing for the country.

SO: Would you expect a people friendly budget in next month?

Ven. Thera: Yes. We have given our proposals also for the budget 2008.

'Even the media has painted a wrong picture of me'

Livestock Resource Development Deputy Minister and ex-SLMC National Organiser, K. A. Baiz

SO: Is that true that the SLMC has suspended you in all the posts you held in the party?

Dep. Minister: Yes. They have taken a sudden decision to do so. Anyway, an inquiry would follow.

SO: Actually, what took place between you and the Minister Bathiudeen?

Dep. Minister: In that particular meeting which was held to discuss about the housing scheme funded by the World Bank he lost his temper. He behaved shamefully blaming and threatening a Provincial Council member and I left the place.

SO: But what the Minister Bathiudeen said was you asked for a 35 per cent of housing units for your supporters. What is that story?

Dep. Minister: Well. I asked him to allocate a few housing units for the original Puttalam people while the bigger part goes to the refugees. I think that is the accepted way allowing some for the original residents who do not have a permanent place. It cannot be wrong. I did not ask for my supporters, but my people in the district. I was the mayor for several years for Puttalam. I know their pulse as well as the problems.

SO: Now, what kind of action can be taken by you?

Dep. Minister: Well. Before all I have to face the party's inquiry on me. Even the media have painted a wrong picture of me with a gun. But it was not me, but the Minister Bathiudeen who threatened the so-called provincial council member and others.

SO: Then how did the media publish a picture and run television footage in which you held a pistol?

Dep. Minister: When I was addressing my people to ask them to stop the Hartal which they themselves began someone told me that the Minister and his henchmen had come with guns. Then only I took out my pistol out and I told them, I too have a licensed pistol. If they were to use any legal or illegal weapons I can use mine for my safety. That is the real story.

SO: You said that the Hartal was decided by the people. Why?

Dep. Minister: Yes. Three organisations including a religious one in the Puttalam District have organised it to show their agitation over the Resettlement Minister's decision. And I want to tell you, most of the displaced people in Puttalam now have become its own citizens there as they are there for over 18 years. They run shops, vehicles and a lots of businesses. In this incident, they were also with me. They know how, I have treated them.

SO: You are saying that you did not force them to close their shops.

Dep. Minister: Yes. Why should I? They love me. They know that I am a man from the Puttalam soil who never illtreated them. I did not get a single complaint from them throughout the last many years. Anyway, I don't like Minister Bathiudeen's involvement in Puttalam District matters.

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