UNP’s boycott of B’caloa polls regrettable

The UNP’s National Organiser S. B. Dissanayake said that the UNP’s ‘vow’ to support the Government to implement the 13th Amendment, which is its brainchild, would be strengthened if President Mahinda Rajapaksa would genuinely devolve power.

Termed the 13th Amendment as the ‘best solution’ to end the national problem, Dissanayake said that as the Government’s only intention was to destroy Prabhakaran and capture Killinochchi, the LTTE did not have any alternative for its ‘survival’ other than resume peace talks to enter into the democratic mainstream. “The LTTE have already lost the Eastern Province. And the outfit is facing a very difficult time now”, he told the ‘Sunday Observer’.

Here are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: This time the UNP has accused the Government for winning the elections with the ‘blessings’ of Pillaiyan?

A: It is good that Pillaiyan won the Batticaloa elections. It should be a victory of a disarmed political group. There were several TMVP military camps in the district from the time his group handed over nominations. Those who are in his camps demanded ransoms from our businessmen.

Even some of the supporters of Minister Maithripala Sirisena were abducted by them. One of our supporters who is a businessman was also kidnapped by the Pillaiyan group and later released after paying the demanded amount of money.

Pillaiyan did not allow Minister Douglas Devananda, who is a minister of the Rajapaksa Government to contest the Batticaloa election.

As he was not allowed to move about freely in this electorate by the TMVP armed groups he lost the election and could not secure at least one seat.

The TMVP had threatened some of the UNP members and demanded them to contest under their party. It is very clear that the TMVP did not allow any other political group to contest in the Batticaloa polls. If the EPDP and TNA started their election campaign the situation would be a different scenario.

Q: But election observers announced that it is a free and fair election. How do you still claim that it is not?

A: Yes, I agree there were no major incidents because Pillaiyan’s group dominated the whole area. There were no other supporters except them. So, how could there be violence when there is one group. So that is why it is free and fair.

The PAFFREL issuing a statement endorsed it is free and fair. Why? Because the UNP and TNA did not contest. It was not highlighted in this report. If the UNP, TNA and even Minister Devananda submitted nominations and were in the election campaign the situation would be different. Lots of violence would have erupted as a result of confrontations with the TMVP cadres.

Q: With the conclusion of the Batticaloa elections, the UNP has once again accused the Government over an alleged secret deal with the LTTE to win the Presidential election in 2005. Were you aware of such a deal?

A: I do not know about a documented deal. But what is clear was that the LTTE helped the Government come into power indirectly by preventing people voting at the election.

The UNP had a strong base in the North and East and a large number of votes of minorities were for the UNP. But we lost it. Therefore at that crucial juncture Prabhakaran helped President Rajapaksa to come into power.

Q: But can the UNP accuse the Government for signing an agreement with the LTTE in this respect?

A: No. The UNP never accused the Government of a secret deal but it was said by Mangala Samaraweera and the late MP Sripathy Sooriarachchi.

Q: Why did the UNP boycott the Batticaloa elections?

A: At the initial stages the UNP did not decide to boycott Batticaloa polls. We were planning to contest because we got over 118,000 votes at the last Presidential election, where President Rajapaksa received only 24,000 votes. Batticaloa was the UNP base. We wanted to contest but abandoned the idea as the para military groups were in operation there.

Q: Though the UNP claims about para military activities in the Batticaloa district, is not the decision of the UNP to boycott the election reflect that the UNP does not want democracy to be established in the district?

A: No. Not at all. Because we firmly believe that the national problem cannot be solved militarily. The UNP thinks that it can only be solved through power sharing. And specially it should be an honourable attempt. Devolution of power is the reality of the whole world today.

This Government targets to kill Prabhakaran. It is good, but the problem cannot be solved this way. We need an honest attempt of power sharing. That is why the UNP always tried to get the LTTE for a dialogue and to introduce a power sharing package to end this problem.

Q: The dates for the Provincial Council elections have been set. Are you going to boycott the PC election too?

A: No idea of boycotting PC elections. The party would decide soon. But what we urge the Government is that before holding the election the Government should disarm the para military groups in the Eastern region.

The government should create such an environment. It is OK to provide security for Pillaiyan but he and his armed cadres should be disarmed to create an environment for the UNP, TNA and other political parties to contest the PC polls.

Q: The TULF and other political parties which oppose the LTTE say that during the UNP period the LTTE rigged the polls and made the TNA to enter Parliament. What is your comment?

A: Yes, to some extent there is a truth in it. Because at that election, the LTTE had openly helped the TNA. The LTTE called and warned the candidates that they should contest from the TNA. Late MP Maheswarn was a fine example. They did not allow any one to contest from the UNP. So, he came to Colombo. That is how the TNA and the LTTE rigged the polls.

There is another mistake going on in the North and East. The TNA, LTTE and even Minister Devananda is also partly responsible for that. They do not allow the Government to get a census. Because the total number of people living in these provinces would be much less than the present number.

So, if there is a census the number of MPs would be reduced. If this environment is ensured it would be a great achievement and can be applied to the North as well.

Q: However, you have regretted the Party decision to boycott the election?

A: Yes. It is regrettable not to contest when there is a major base for us. It is a disadvantage for us. We as a party in the Opposition did not have any alternative. This would be a good chance for the Government to give a message for the people of the North. So it is a major drawback not only for the UNP but for the whole country.

Q: UNP’s every attempt to defeat the Government has failed so far. What do you think the Party is lacking?

A: The UNP had toppled the Government in 2001. We won the election. Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike did not like to nominate Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Presidential candidate. She wanted to appoint Ratnasiri Wickramanaike or her brother Anura. But due to pressure within the party she did not have an alternative to Mahinda Rajapaksa. The JHU and JVP had helped him a lot.

It was clear that at the election she did not help Mahinda . The main disadvantage for us was the LTTE preventing people of North and East of voting.

The party did not have a collective decision to defeat the Government at the Budget. We did not want to topple the Government though some of the party members claimed that the UNP would defeat the Government at the Budget.

What happened at the Budget was that the JVP misled some of the political parties. I knew it earlier and warned but they were caught in the JVP’s trap. I realised that the JVP would not support to defeat the Government. They are utter liars. At the first and second voting they voted against the Government and the JVP’s tactic was to make the Government a minority to get hold of the Government and to be in power in the coming years. They show that they are against the Government. Some of the UNPers were misled by the JVP and told that they would vote against the Government at the Budget.

Q: So do you think that the JVP had misled the UNP?

A: Yes. Not only the UNPers but also the Muslim Congress, Anura Bandaranaike, Wijedasa Rajapaksa but they could not fool Thondaman. The JVP had given dead ropes to all of them.

Q: How do you see the TMVP entering into the political main stream?

A: It is really good but they should lay down arms and establish democracy in the North and East. I think under whatever situation Pillaiyan’s victory is a good sign. They were former cadres but now they have entered the democratic mainstream. They are for power sharing. So it is a good sign and more such cadres should join them.

Q: The Opposition Leader had announced his willingness to support the 13th Amendment. How do you see this new move?

A: I believe it is a very correct and timely decision. Those who are saying that the 13 Amendment does not guarantee full powers to the PCs or out dated, do not know what is there in the 13th Amendment.

They have not studied the present situation at the Parliament analytically. I think the unitary state concept is over under the 13th Amendment. And this is more than the Indian Federal system. If powers are given to provincial councils, it will be a good start to devolve power.

Some political parties say this is not enough to solve the problem. But can a new system be passed with two third majority at the Parliament? There are 38 JVPers. They are not for any power devolution. There are nine JHUers who are totally against devolution of power.

So I do not think any package or a proposal to devolve power could be passed in Parliament. Therefore the only option is the 13th Amendment, which has the blessings of the SLFP, MEP, TULF, EPDP, CWC, MC and now the UNP. But I do not think that the President will genuinely go for devolution of power.

Q: Don’t you think that the Government’s target, which is militarily defeating the LTTE and going for power sharing through the 13th Amendment, is the ideal solution to end this problem?

A: Yes, the UNP will definitely support the Government. Prabhakaran is the main obstacle who did not allow to bring peace. Even the TNA MPs are genuinely for power sharing and they are not happy with the LTTE. If they talk the truth they will be killed by the LTTE. They cannot go back to their areas. I strongly feel if the Government can destroy Prabhakaran the country’s situation will completely be changed.

Q: How do you see the JVP’s decision to boycott Indian goods?

A: Only the JVP’s Leader Somawansa Amarasinghe and its Secretary Tilwin Silva will not eat dhal from India but for sure lots of people will continue to eat dhal. No need to consider their decisions seriously and these 38 people in the Parliament are problem creators.

I challenge them that they will get eight seats in the next election. They secured 38 thanks to the SLFP. I think it is a joke. Earlier the JVP asked the Norway to go home but invited India to interfere in the ethnic issue. But suddenly they have changed their ideas.

Q: Will the UNP support the Government genuinely to end the national problem to eradicate terrorism?

A: Yes. if the Government will devolve power under the 13th Amendment we will help the Government. The JVP thinks that India helps the Government to continue military offensives.

If the Government can defeat terrorism and offer a power sharing package that will be the best way to solve the problem. The country should lead to that point.

Q: The Rajapaksa Government is backed by India and if the UNP come to power are you going to continue to get the support of India or look for another Western country?

A: The UNP always said the Rajapaksa Government that if they are to devolve power and solve the problem make India the best supporter. But it should be done with an understanding with India. India is very concerned about Sri Lanka’s situation. The Rajapaksa Government’s decision to have relationships with India is very correct and timely. The UNP will continue to get the support of India in future.

Who is S. B. Dissanayake

He knew that his ‘aththamma’ (grand mother) would not pat his head, when he was so naughty and not tell stories, not fairy tales but about heroic men and women in their village again. But, the small boy cried a lot the day his aththamma breathed her last.

Even, after several decades, none could replace her in his life. Still a teardrop glistens in the eyes of this ‘strong’ man when he talks about his grandma.

Among thousands of unforgettable happy and sad memories, the day the small boy entered Poramadulla Maha Vidyalaya after the Grade Five scholarship examination brought about remarkable changes in his life. The new school helped the young sportsman called Sudu Banda Dissanayake to brush up his inborn talents in sports.

“At the age of 10 I came to Colombo for the All-Island Interschool Games representing my school CC Secondary School Hanguranketha. He recalled it was a great achievement for the whole village as none from that village was in Colombo for such an event”, Sudu Banda Dissanayake, was the man of ‘controversy’ at several times and was now one of the ‘matured politicians’, as he calls himself in the country.

When he was small he had no specific aim. The young sportsman and good student entered politics when he was reading for his Degree at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura.

More popular as ‘S.B.’, this politician who held several Ministerial portfolios earlier and now the National Organiser of the UNP, said that the biggest lesson he learnt from his father, who is his role model, was to ‘hit back if somebody hits him’. “I was very stubborn when I was small and my parents received complaints daily. They did not punish me but gradually explained my mistakes,” he said.

The ‘biggest’ lesson he gave his two sons was also to ‘hit back if somebody hits them’. But as his father, he too advised his sons and Dissanayake said that he was one of the happiest dads on earth to have such talented and studious sons today.

A voracious reader who made reading one of his topmost hobbies, S. B. Dissanayake will be called Dr. S. B. Dissanayake soon. While serving a two year rigorous imprisonment for term contempt of Court, the political prisoner bearing No. H 21569, did not waste time while working at the Printing Section of the Welikada Prison.

The prisoner S. B. Dissanayake who continued to read and write started to ‘scribble’ his writing about Sri Lankan politics and its political history. Today those pages that he scribbled will become a comprehensive thesis on ‘Social, political and economical repercussions’ in three sections for his PhD.

The day, that the former Minister and UNP heavyweight, S.B. was compelled to bathe normal tap water at the Welikada prison was yet another unforgettable day for him. “I am not boasting but I did not bathe with tap water for 10 years and then and it was one of the biggest challenges for me that day,” he chuckled saying that he was treated as one of the ‘gods’ by the prison inmates.

S.B.’s goals: To be healthy and live a life free of diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol at least for the next 10 years.

S.B.’s hobbies: Watching comedy films and programs. Reading and maintaining a good health. He said chatting with his friends over a small ‘drink’ at his mini bar daily is also one of his pastimes.

S.B.’s future plans: No big goals. He said that he did not want to become the Prime Minister of this country as it was just a ‘nameboard’ under the present Constitution. He does not want to become the President of this country either, but wants to form a strong UNP government one day.

S.B.’s friends: He said the world’s first Woman Prime Minister was his best friend, from whom he learnt to listen to people and to learn whatever he does not know.

“I love and honour her a lot.Now calling the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe as one of his best friends, he said President Rajapaksa was also a very close friend.

“Though he calls me frequently he did not invite me to join him yet”, he said. According to him, he has lots of enemies in politics and it is natural for a politician like him.

S.B.’s vision: To work hard to add a little bit of ‘dictatorial administration’ with a humanitarian approach to rule the country.

S.B. said that the most important lesson that he learnt from politics is to ‘tolerate’ and not to take ‘instant’ decisions.He says that he is now a ‘matured’ politician and counts the days to get his lost civic rights restored. S.B. prefers to be called an educated, intelligent and well read politician.