Mahinda Chinthana is my life blood - Ranjith de Soyza

by Amal HEWAVISSENTI

Ranjith de Soyza is the Health and Women's Affairs Minister of Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council and is the chief organiser for Rakwana seat in Ratnapura district. Being a politician, well noted for record breaking victories at every election, he has practically and scientifically dealt with all the challenges in his mission to serve the people. Here are the excerpts from the interview, Sunday Observer had with him.

Ranjith de Soyza

Q: Your life is an arduous journey through multiple challenges. Your childhood must have been a crucial stage to adjust your thinking and to test your power to work for the interests of common people. How do you recall your childhood?

A: First of all, I must tell you that I was born and brought up in a totally agricultural set-up. My parents had no powerful political basis whatsoever, but they were strong SLFPers. Actually my father's political ideas were deeply impressed on me. From my childhood, I had the inner fire for active politics.

I had the determination and the dedication to serve poverty stricken people because I myself had witnessed what they were. I was highly interested in farming and my life in the village provided me with ample experiences and inspiration for agriculture.

Q: How about your schooling?

A: My schooling too reshaped my political thinking. I was primarily educated at Alpitiya Vidyalaya and received my secondary education at Rahula Maha Vidyalaya, Godakawela. There I pursued my Advanced Level studies in Agriculture. Besides I became a diploma holder in agriculture after two years of intensive course. In short, my schooldays noticeably sharpened my struggle for new political culture, which was a complete impossibility under the existing UNP regime then during the 1980s.

Q: You revolutionized the political mainstream in Rakwana seat since 1980s and came to be a prominent figure ever after. How successful was your struggle against the existing government during 1980s?

A: In 1982, I gave a trustworthy leadership to a student movement against the much controversial White Paper. Thereby I managed to do my level best on national level politics. Actually speaking, I was on vehement protest against the policies of the existing government. Our progressive movement and SLFP members came under constant harassment by the United National Party in power. However, I managed to organise people and shape up their thinking, though I was put in jail several times. I and all my fellowship fell under brutal treatment in jail. Luckily enough, the higher officials in the jail freed us on many occasions because they were personally known to me. During the 1988-89 period, all my fellowship were ruthlessly killed. I was the only person left and had to withdraw for my own personal security, but I didn't, by any means, give up my struggle for the people.

Q: People in Rakwana say you're a dynamic politician. If it is true, such a person must be having memorable victories and deadlocks in his life. How did you make your debut on the political stage?

A: Well... during the 1994 general election, I was able to organise SLFPers and engage in political activities throughout Rakwana and Ratnapura district on the whole. At the 1997 Local Government Election, I came off victories with the large majority of Preferential votes and became the Chairman of Atakalanpanna Pradeshiya Sabha. That was a major breakthrough in my life, because I won the majority of votes despite the presence of senior politicians as candidates for the same election. I'm happy to say that within the five years of my office as the chairman I was able to launch massive developmental projects within the Pradeshiya Sabha. They were noticeably felt by the people.

Thereby I got a golden chance to work amply for people. That realy is the secret behind my political and electoral success. Yet my political vision and my agenda to work for the people were unceasingly and cynically criticised by the Opposition. Even there were several attempts on my life.

Q: By this time, you're said to have had the most shocking and bitter most experiences in your career as a politician.

A: Yes! Several times, I had hair breadth escape from being gunned down by unidentified gunmen. That was because I was emerging as a political figure with ever increasing support from people. With the sudden collapse of PA government in 2001. I had to taste the bittermost both politically and mentality. During the subsequent period of terror in 2001, nearly 60 were killed and 6500 were jailed for being ardent PA supporters. My house was set ablaze and I was reduced to zero as I was put in jail once again. But no probe into what happened to us, has been carried out yet.

Q: A question arises as to how you contested 2002 Local Government Election while you were in jail. The number of votes you earned at that election is reported to be a new Sri Lankan record? Can you elaborate on that?

A: Well... I signed my nomination for the election while I was in jail. People's Alliance reported a landslide victory of 15,000 votes at that election. I am proud to say that I personally bagged 13,600 votes out of that total with the percentage of 94%. That was an unprecedented growth of PA voter base for the first time in electoral history of Rakwana.

Q: Most evidently, you turned your dreams of agricultural self-sufficiency into practical reality when you were appointed the Minister of Agriculture of Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council. Am I right?

A: Well, Yes! Actually, I took the preliminary steps to establish farmers' associations throughout Ratnapura district, went to people, got at the basic problems and did my level best to give at least satisfactory solutions for them. I myself set the example as a lover of agriculture. My home garden won the Presidential Award for the Best Home Garden. Honestly speaking, I've taken every possible step to make His Excellency the President's concept of 'Gama Neguma' and 'Maga Neguma' a reality. I actively contributed to this concept by constructing concreted roads in almost every village and developing and providing basic facilities for the villages and towns. Developing villages is the top most priority on my agenda. It is zeal in me. Solving the problem of unemployment among people, has always been my utmost concern.

Q: How did you come to be the chief organiser for Rakwana seat?

A: At the Provincial Council election 2008, I succeeded in getting more votes than what I had in the previous elections. In 2007, His Excellency the President appointed me the chief organiser for Rakwana seat which had been a historic bastion for United National Party.

However, I change it completely with the large majority of votes for UPFA. In 2008 we were able to lead the seat to victory by a stunning majority of 5671 votes. During the recent Presidential Election, we assured President Mahinda Rajapaksa's victory by an amazing majority of 16366 votes! All that is through dedication and hard work. All I've got to say is I was born, bred and lived in Rakwana, so I love this soil and people.

Q: We're on the verge of a pivotal general election. The results will show how the representatives of people have worked in their respective seats. How's the current situation prevailing in your seat?

A: This is actually the first time I contest a general election. I'm proud to say that there is no fight or competition of any kind for preferential votes among us the candidates for the election. His Excellency the President has clearly banned such conflict situations. You'll clearly see that there is perfect democracy of election campaign in my seat. Definitely I'll win with a clear-cut change. I'm pretty sure of a major victory because I've worked for the people. That is the certificate I have. We, the election candidates, do engage in election activities and propaganda in perfect brotherhood.

Q: What is the nature of your plans to upgrade people's welfare?

A: You see we've already launched large scale developmental programmes within the seat. They've been completed with positive results. There is so little which is to be developed. There are minor problems in rural areas to be dealt with. People know it and they will duly respond to it. That is why we're very optimistic.

Q: What support would you offer to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to implement his "Mahinda Chinthana" successfully?

A: Honestly speaking, Mahinda Chinthana is my flesh and blood! Every policy of mine has been inspired by Mahinda Chinthana. It is so practical. So I'm determined to be a strength to him. His charismatic leadership has fought me how to do the correct politics. For the next 7 years of Presidency, he needs an excellent team of Cabinet to steer the country towards development.

Honestly, I want to be one of them! Apart from that His Excellency the President has pledged to make Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia. That is our goal. We must play our role in making Sri Lanka the wonder of Asia. Our President really has genuine concern for people and the country.

His principles focus on economic welfare of people, and protecting sovereignty and national unity.

Q: How do you view the forthcoming general election?

A: Our party the UPFA will definitely get the two third majority. Government will make a comeback with a popular mandate.

Q: Your message for the people.

A: Suba Anagathayak!.