UPFA knows heartbeat of Uva people - Shasheendra Rajapaksa
by Shanika SRIYANANDA
The election battle of the blues, greens and reds of Uva is flaring
up. Only seven days left for the D-Day. People of the province are
eagerly waiting to exercise their franchise on August 8 while the
upcoming politician belonging to the third generation of Rajapaksa
family brimming with confidence to lead the UPFA for a grand victory.
Thirty three-year-old Shasheendra Kumara Rajapaksa claims he would be
a bridge for the people of Uva to bring development to their doorsteps.
Armed with several novel programs to develop Uva designed under ‘Mahinda
Chinthanaya’, he said he entered the ‘battle’ to reach the poorest of
the poor in the province.
The young man who is contesting the polls to become the Chief
Minister of Uva, said that he practises the lesson - “Say what you can
do and if you promise something make sure that you do it” - learnt from
his father, Minister of Civil Aviation, Chamal Rajapaksa and his uncle
President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
In an interview with the ‘Sunday Observer’, Rajapaksa said that not
only people of Uva but all Sri Lankans know that the UPFA is the only
political party which knows very well the heartbeat of the common man.
Following are the excerpts of the interview:
Q: The ‘Battle of Uva’ is hotting up each passing day, while the
Government is placing its fullest strength to secure victory. How
confident are you that you can lead the battle for victory?
* The real battle of Uva - developing the province - starts after
August 9.
* More than introducing Rajapaksas to politics, the government really
wants men who can serve the people better.
* Taking up challenges is the pride of Rajapaksas.
* More UNPers will join the UPFA soon.
* No one can force people to vote and they will elect the most
suitable for Uva.
* No mudslinging political campaigns in Uva.
* People of Uva are always with the UPFA.
* Uva has a huge potential for development.
* Improving education is a major priority.
* No broken promises at all! UPFA government will do its best for Uva
people. |
A: The victory is definite! People of Uva know which party to vote. I
always believe in democracy and hope the people have confidence in UPFA
as to how it is leading the country towards a new era strengthening the
hands of the poor to make them stand on their own feet. The UPFA
Government knows the heartbeat of the common man more than the other
political parties. That is the difference and it is also the major cause
for all political victories. I believe in my people and similarly people
have faith in me. I think winning the election is not a victory but soon
after the elections, the real battle starts. That is the battle to
develop Uva. For that I need the help of all my people in the province.
Q: But some claim that you were nominated to bring the third
generation Rajapaksas also into politics. What do you have to say?
A: I think more than introducing Rajapaksas to politics the
Government wants men who can serve the people better. Uva is a province
that was neglected for many years and needs development. I, as the
Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu-Kataragama Devale got the opportunity of
associating with people of all walks. Over 18,000 acres of land in
Moneragala belong to the Kataragama Devale and so in the Badulla
district as well. I happened to serve those people whose generations
have been working for the Devale. To do so I had to seek the support of
many people including politicians as well as government servants. During
my tenure as the Nilame I had realized that those people, whose main
source of income is agriculture, need extra livelihood support. As I too
hail from an agriculture family I thought it is better to serve the
people in Uva rather than those in Hambantota. It is true that
Rajapaksas know people’s problems better. My urge to serve the people
together with my family background brought me to politics.
Q: It is said that the former CM Wijeyamuni de Soyza was not given a
chance as he would be a threat to you.
A: I do not have any sort of threat from within or outside the party
and especially he is not a threat to me. In fact, I know politics very
well and also know how to politically deal with as well. He was asked to
contest at the next Parliamentary election and he volunteered to stay
out. But, anyone who comes to Moneragala can see that he is 100 percent
campaigning for me. He supports me wholeheartedly. I think, if you ask
him this question he will give a better answer.
Q: You are new and young to politics. Don’t you think you are not
still mature enough to become a CM in a province which has lots of
social and economic problems?
A: Let’s see the election results on August 8. I think taking
challenges is the pride of Rajapaksas. If not, I would not be here
contesting Uva. It was the challenges that made me to step into
politics. I represent a leader who took the biggest challenge to end the
30-year-old terrorist war. I am from that generation and why cannot we
face the challenges? We are used to face any challenge.
I have already spoken to all local leaders in the province and we
could swear we develop this province. That is definite! Though I am new
to politics, politics is in my blood. From my tender age I saw how my
father and uncles were involved in politics. I can recall the situation
at home when I was at the age of seven. That was the first election,
which I can remember. They were fully engaged in the campaign. I still
can remember how I went in rallies holding my mother’s hand to do
canvassing for my father. Politics is bonded with our lives.
Q: The UNP says that they do not have ‘outsiders’ contesting the Uva
election. Therefore, being an outsider how are you going to attract more
votes for the Party?
A: I don’t think that I am an outsider at all because I am serving
the people of Uva for the last six years. I know them and their needs
better. What I can say is that the UNP does not have people ‘inside’ or
‘outside’ now. In Moneragala the UNPers are discussing themselves to
join the UPFA. Some have already crossed over to UPFA. More will join us
soon because they have lost faith in their party. They know that UPFA is
the only party that can help the poor people.
Q: Is it true that senior SLFPers are dissatisfied as you are
nominated to contest for the CM?
A: All those are mere ‘creations’ by some interested parties. The
truth is all the SLFPers are happy that I have been appointed to contest
because they know that I have a good vote base in Uva because of my
service to the people. Keep counting the days and see the election
results on August 9. Those who visit Moneragala will see the difference.
The political campaign is going on smoothly. The environment is calm and
quiet. As I said earlier I believe in democracy and no one can force
people to cast their vote. They will elect the most suitable candidate
to develop their areas and solve their grievances.
Q: Do you mean to say that there is no mud-slinging among the
contestants?
A: Yes, no mud-slinging at all. All the people in Moneragala have
their faith in the UPFA and they want to see the Government is winning
the election. They give us their fullest support.
Q: Grievances of Vedda community were neglected by the politicians.
It seems that you are the only politician to devote a section of your
election manifesto on the need to solve their problems. What are the
major problems faced by these people?
A: They are a part and parcel of the Ruhunu-Kataragama Perahera and
their ancestors had a special duty to perform in the perahera. As the
Basnayake Nilame of the Devale I got to know about their problems and I
want to help them continue with their traditional way of life. When I
was the Basnayake Nilame, they thought that I was the best person to
approach to get the State support for some of their problems. I helped
them. Vedda community have lost their rights to be in their forest
habitat as traditional hunters. I have already discussed their problems
with them. There are lots of rules and regulations of the Ministry of
Environment and Forestry that hinder their freedom to be hunters. I am
planning to discuss these matters with the relevant authorities so as to
solve their problems.
Q: Do you have specific development goals for Uva, which you have
identified as the priorities?
A: Yes, Uva is full of resources which can be harnessed for
development.
There are so many natural resources which are yet to be tapped. There
are historical and religious places which can be promoted as tourist
attractions. And there are neglected industries which can bring revenue.
Tea, rubber and gems can be a good source of income generation in the
province. But these resources need to be properly managed and used in a
sustainable way. The Government has taken steps to increase the Gross
National Product from four percent to eight percent in 2015. The Uva
will be completely developed under Mahinda Chinthanaya, as is clearly
spelt out in page 76. My aim is to build a “new Uva”.
Q: Uva lacks proper education facilities and there are many
shortcomings as well. One of your main slogans in the election campaign
is facilitating the education sector.
A: Yes, providing educational facilities is vital as Badulla is one
of the districts that has a low literacy rate. So is Moneragala
district. Over 46 percent of the school going children have dropped
schooling due to economic constraints. There is a shortage of teachers
and also basic facilities for education. I have already planned the ways
and means to solve these immediate problems in the education sector.
Not only education but also the other sectors like hospitals and
various State institutions suffer due to shortage of manpower. This is
mainly because there is a brain-drain in Uva. Educated people leave Uva
seeking better employment opportunities elsewhere and those who get
transfers to Uva also try to move out into another area due to lack of
facilities. I see improving facilities in Uva as a solution for this
chain of problems and have planned to get the support and expertise of
the intellectuals in the province to develop their own areas.
Q: Estate workers in the province contribute a lot to the national
economy and what are the plans in your manifesto to uplift their living
standards?
A: I have already drawn plans to look into their problems. Housing is
their main problem and so is the infrastructure facilities. I have
already met their village level leaders to discuss their problems.
Q: An Airport proposed to be built in Wellawaya has been shifted to
Hambantota. Some claim that if you have concerns about the Uva people
why can’t you propose the airport to be built in Wellawaya.
A: The Government had decided to build the country’s Second
International Airport considering the technical, geographical and
climatic situation in the areas proposed. An airport targets a good
income generation and when the airport is built close to the Hambantota
Port, that will bring lots of economic advantages. The proposal to build
an airport at Weerawila was changed due to the same reasons. The social
problems should also need to be considered when going ahead with such
mega projects. It is sad that those who make such allegations are not
aware that people of Moneragala will also be benefitted from the airport
in Hambantota. These are mere allegations to mislead the people to gain
political mileage but people of Uva is much more intelligent than those
politicians.
Q: People are given lots of pledges during elections. Will all your
pledges and plans too be mere slogans until you secure victory?
A: I never make promises in my political campaign. If I can’t fulfil
them. I believe it is the duty and the responsibility of a politician to
make the lives of his people more comfortable than those in other areas.
I always try to serve in my best way and give the best to people of Uva.
Therefore, I don’t make broken promises for people of Uva. I will do my
best to them.
Q: Do you think that your family background and the blood
relationship to the President will help you to get more votes in the
forthcoming election?
A: I don’t deny that these two factors have contributed to mould me
into a politician. But to win an election I have to serve the people of
the area concerned. As I explained earlier, I have got the opportunity
to work for these people as the Basnayake Nilame and I know their
problems and how to solve them.
The experience that I gained as the Private Secretary to the
President gave me the know-how of decision making. I saw how he handles
tough situations like the terrorist war and political problems. I saw
how he gave leadership to solve them. As a person who worked very
closely with the President I know how he foresees things like
development of the country. I hope these will help me to be a good
politician and to have a thick skin to face challenges in the field of
politics.
He handled crucial issues single-minded. He faced many challenges in
politics. He rose to the top step by step. As an official working under
him I saw how he faced whatever the challenges coming his way. I learnt
a lot from him and will continue to do so in future as well. This will
help me to serve my people well.
Q: While having the opportunity to contest a Parliamentary election
why did you prefer to contest the provincial council elections?
A: I believe when a person starts his career from the very basic
level he can go a long way as he knows everything well from the
beginning. And I always wanted to serve the poorest of the poor and
believe the Provincial Council is the best way to start reaching the
people who deserve my services. |