No room for bribery, and corruption in WPC - Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga

Shanika SRIYANANDA

The Western PC, the Chief Minister Ranatunga wants to give a more practical approach to the PC rather than glamorising it with slogans. “Those who wish to maintain my vision - bribery and corruption free PC - can be with me and for those who are unhappy with that, the doors are open to go. I need a honest, committed and energetic group to work with me and to drive the Western PC to a most practical PC in the country”, he told the `Sunday Observer’ in an interview.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Garbage is undoubtedly a major issue within the Western Province. What are the other issues that are identified as major concerns ?

A: At the moment, two major issues are before the Supreme Court. One is the garbage problem and the other is school admissions. We would hope to give priority for these two burning issues soon. I assumed duties early last week and we have already taken steps to solve them. To address school admissions, the Central Government is preparing a plan and we would give our proposals which are suitable and applicable for the Western PC.

Q: Shanties which are known to be the hot spots for some corrupt activities is another issue that needs to be addressed. Are there any plans to give them decent housing ?

A: According to the 13th Amendment, the Housing Authority does not come under the purview of the Western PC. This issue is under the Central Government. We cannot do anything other than giving some allocation in a disaster. We cannot implement a housing project for the shanty dwellers.

Q: In all previous elections the UNP was in power in the Western PC and what led to the UPFA to gaining the control of the PC this time ?

A: One thing is clear that in this election, people of the Western PC has also given priority to defeat terrorism and they have approved it by casting their votes for the UPFA. This is a clear indication that they are with the President and appreciate his effort to eliminate terrorism. They have voted for the UPFA to strengthen the hands of President Rajapaksa. That is the secret behind this victory.

Q: But according to the UNP, UPFA has won by merely 6.1 percent. Do you think that majority of people of the Western Province are with you?

A: Every time when the UNP is defeated, they try to show their defeat mathematically. They cannot hide their defeat by doing calculations. What I can say is that would not be fruitful now as the voters are more intelligent than the UNP. In this election, over 65 percent of voters have cast their votes and we won over 58 seats. We lost majority only in two seats.

It is time for the UNP to face reality and understand their standing as a political party. While revealing that to the supporters, the UNP, if they want to remain as a political party, needs to rise from the present zero level. Otherwise, their survival is doubtful. We got 70 percent of the votes, but all other political parties were able to get 30 percent. This indicates the heart beat of the people of this country.

Q: There are allegations that the provincial councils are not given full powers and also these are white elephants. What do you have to say about these allegations ?

A: Those who are against the Provincial councils criticised the PCs. But, I’ who have worked for years in the Western Provincial Council believe that we should take steps to make best use of the provisions given to us to use power. For an example, the land policy which is not in the other PCs has been prepared by the Western PC. It needs to be subjected to certain amendments to suit the present situation. We hope to implement it soon. People interested in power now talk about getting more police powers. This is my personal view. The country is not yet back to normal due to terrorism. So, I believe that police powers should be vested with the Central Government.If police powers are given to PCs there will be practical problems. I believe such powers should be given only after the eradication of terrorism. It is not a very essential component to serve the people.

The ordinary people, who are having peaceful lives, do not need police powers but the politicians, who want to free a drug dealer or an underworld kingpin, needs to have police powers.

Q: You also talked about bringing in new programs and so on. People have seen and heard enough fairy tales. Will you also be in that lot ?

A: I did not make any promises even during the elections. And I will not do so in future too. I know the frame that I could work under the 13th Amendment. I want to make the Western PC a practical PC, where it uses maximum powers to serve the people of the province. I have a strong belief that we can work hard to achieve this target. I do not promise things that I cannot achieve.

Q: We have heard about catchy slogans like “Let’s make the Western PC the beauty of the Asia”. Do you have any such slogan ?

A: No. I do not have any such slogans and I did not stick to a slogan during the elections. But as I said earlier, what I want is to give a practical approach to the province. Without dreaming of things that are not on the cards, I would like to uplift the lives of the people using the powers vested with the PC.

Q:You hail from a family of politicians. How do you think this will contribute to your political career?

A: I am not a parachutter to politics. I have experienced the ups and downs in politics as a small boy. I learnt the ABC of politics from my father.

At the age of 24 I became a member of the PC and a year later I became a minister of the PC.

My father did not earn from politics, but lost his wealth and properties to politics. He sacrificed a lot for the party and he was very down to earth and was always with the people. He never abandoned the party that he represented. I hope he had given me courage and hope I can swim in this politics because of him.

Q: The politicians always work more for the electorate that he represents. But you have said that you will be serving not only your Gampaha electorate - but the entire Western PC. Are you going to change the existing practice?

A: If I agree with you, then I’m lying. I am a person who keeps my word. Like other politicians who worked for their own PCs I will also take a great interest to work for my people. We have requested the President to appoint Mr. Basil Rajapaksa as the Gampaha District Organiser. If he is appointed and works closely with the PC we would able to give our fullest support for him. But I will not do anything that would harm or neglect the people of the other two districts.

Q: Bribery and corruption is another major allegation against the Western PC. How do you plan to minimise these?

A: I said on the day I assumed duties as the Chief Minister that there is no space for those who engage in bribery and corruption.

So, those who wish to maintain my vision can remain with me and those who do not agree the doors are open to go. I need an honest, committed and energetic group to work with me and to drive the Western PC to a most practical PC in the country.

They should abandon the idea of earning from politics but they should be determined to commit themselves to uplift the lives of the people of the Western PC.

I know that there are lots of allegations against the school admissions.

Soon I will personally write to the Bribery and Corruption Department to get involved to minimise corruption when admitting a child to a school. And those who are found guilty would be punished and no sympathy or pardon will be given to them during my tenure.

Q: Politicians say that they will be tough to minimise bribery and corruption. But most of the time they keep mum about the allegations as they would lose votes at the next elections. So, how do you strike a balance between these two?

A: I am in this PC for over 15 years and I am a minister for over 10 years.

This would not be a problem for me and I hope I would be able to stop bribery and corruption to certain extent.

I was the Minister of Health and as the Chief Minister I now hope to make the education sector free of bribery and corruption. I would not hesitate to take action against those who involve in such vice.

Q: How do you hope to take the expertise of the former Chief Minister Reginald Cooray, a senior politician, during your tenure ?

A: There is no ‘senior and junior’ in my vocabulary. I want to get the views of all and take the final decision by choosing the best ideas and proposals.

Those who have good ideas are welcome to join with me.