'Another 5 MPs from UNP to join Govt. soon'

Nation Building Minister Jagath Pushpakumara

SO: Minister Pushpakumara, what's the latest?

Minister: Well. We successfully completed the 'Wellassa Udanaya' program launching a number of projects for the benefit of the public, in Uva and Wellassa areas.

SO: You mean what kind of projects?

Minister: Why? We opened the Wellawaya urban irrigation project providing drinking water. The project was started in 2000 and we completed it, identifying the necessity of completing it soon. The setting up of the veterinary office in Kataragama which began in 2004, was completed and now it is in operation. The Welioya Development project another mega project too was completed. It now distributes water 36 tanks in the area.

SO: Would you able to give us any clue to the Budget 2008.

Minister: No. But, I'll tell you something else. Another five MPs from the UNP will join us soon after the budget. They are ready to join the government even this moment. We asked them to come after the budget was passed.

SO: As a Nation Building Minister, what's your duty in the resettlement process.

Minister: I have been entrusted with four districts. Those are Monaragala, Badulla, Nuwara-Eliya and Ratnapura. I am keen on the development activities of those districts. Anyway, I know, President Mahinda Rajapaksa had ordered to accelerate the resettlement process and remove all the refugee camps.

SO: Some agitation campaigns are taking place against the setting up of a sugar cane factory at Pelawatta. They claim that while the authorities say that it has been stopped, but some actions are taking place there. What is the true situation?

Minister: I have not received such a complaint against the proposed sugar cane factory. Anywhere, in the world we have to expect agitation campaigns when we do correct things also. It is a mega development project. As I know, this project has not been started yet, but the feasibility study is being done by a company.

SO: What you say is that there will be no damages to the area or the people's lifestyle in those areas?

Minister: I accept one thing. That is Moneragala which is a less-developed district. We have to do a lot to change this situation and it cannot be done in a fortnight. The President has agreed to provide Rs. 600 million for the development activities of the Moneragala district for the next year.

SO: From the UNP and SLFP-M faction there were talks to topple the government. How do you assess this?

Minister: Those are just only utterances which were done to entertain their listeners. They themselves know very well that it is not the truth. You might have seen, Mangala and Sripathi with the assistance of the UNP, had a series of public rallies against the government. Anyway, when they reached Moneragala the crowd has reduced to 3000. When the opposition leader spoke there were only around 500. They also hooted him on his failure to appoint a good organiser for Bibile electorate.

'100-year-old postal system should be changed'

CWC Deputy Leader and Postal Deputy Minister S. Sellasamy

SO: Mr. Sellasamy. You are back in the government?

Deputy Minister: Yes. We resigned from all our portfolios in the government last August. CWC was capable of solving the disputes that took place then. Now, that is all history and we can work for our people in plantation areas.

SO: How do you assess your new portfolio as the Deputy Postal Minister?

Dep. Min: Well. I have to study a lot about the subject. Anyway, I already have a good picture of what kind of difficulties are faced by the plantation people with regard to the postal service. My leader asked me to look into all those matters and act early.

SO: Can you highlight what are the postal difficulties faced by the plantation people?

Dep. Min: Yes. Plantation areas are not like the other areas of the country. Door to door letter delivery is not taking place here. When a letter for someone reached the sub-post office, they sent a message to the estate and no one knows whether the message would reach the right person. The situation is same for registered letters too. If it was a letter for an interview or something urgent what would be the result?

SO: What kind of remedies you have to rectify this situation?

Dep. Min: Well, the hundred and fifty years old system should be changed. I have already decided to recruit around 500 youth to distribute letters in the plantation areas. Communication facilities such as telephones, fax machines should be supplied for the post offices. Some offices are not in a condition to use and we have to upgrade them targeting better service for the plantation areas.

SO: Are you satisfied with the Government's approaches to peace?

Dep: Min:- Well. Peace is the major requirement of the country for the time being. Whole development process of the country has been blocked by this unsteady situation. The CWC purely believe that immediate action should be taken to maintain peace. We have submitted our proposals to the APRC and we expect something to take place. In that issue I think we have to forget our political party agendas and decisions should be taken as citizens of one country.

SO: Have you got to say anything about the resettlement process in the Eastern Province?

Dep. Min: Various programs by ministries with the direct assistance of the central government take place. Therefore, we feel it is not our duty to talk about their proceedings. We have to begin from the plantation areas solving their problems first.

[email protected]