The Deputy Minister who believes in personal touch

by L. S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Negombo with its fisheries harbour in the Western coast of Sri Lanka could be made a mega city in Asia, said Aviation Deputy Minister Sarath Kumara Gunaratna. Despite a predominantly Catholic population, Negombo is a multi cultural township situated in close proximity to the Katunayake International Airport. It has the best managed colleges to give a quality education to students.

Resources are available in plenty for Negombo to become an attractive transit destination, the Minister said, Sarath Kumara Gunaratna, an ardent supporter of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was appointed Aviation Deputy Minister at a time when the country was threatened with LTTE terror. "There was international pressure, on us as well. Under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka is now free from all shackles of foreign interference. It is time for us to take the lead in the development war," he said.

Excerpts of the interview, the Sunday Observer had with Deputy Aviation, Minister Sarath Gunaratna.

Q: How do you evaluate your decades-long political career?

A: The SLFP Founder leader S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike's main theme was "Man's paramount duty is to serve the people. "Minisage Parama Yuthukama Minisata Sevaya Kireemai". Unlike Kobbekaduwa, Chandrika and Vijaya, President Mahinda Rajapaksa was totally loyal to SLFP founded and fostered by S.W.R.D Bandaranaike, D. A. Rajapaksa and Sirimavo Bandaranaike. I am proud I too stood by them firmly.

It is a well-known fact that it was I who brought Anura Bandaranaike into limelight when there were internal conflicts within the party. Our aim was to serve the country, within the framework of SLFP policies.

I never think that I am a minister or a "man above" the people. My people and my supporters call me "Sarath Aiya" or "Sarath Machan". Yes, certainly they are correct. I am one of them. During the whole day my hand phone is kept open to the people. That is my style of politics. In a way MPs are the "messengers" of the masses. It is for us to redress their grievances and solve their problems.

Q: You are one of the most popular politicians in the Gampaha district which is being considered a developed district. Your comments?

A: I must say it is only a myth. Comparatively infrastructure facilities are better in the Western Province which including Gampaha district as well. But the poverty level of rural community and the urban low income groups is awful. A systematic crash programme to uplift these communities and develop with the available resources is an urgent need.

Q: You hail from Negombo though born in the neighbouring Dungalpitiya. Former Archbishop of Colombo Rev. Martin Gunaratna was your uncle. Negombo city is transforming into one of the developed cities in the Western Province. Your observations?

A: The transformation of Negombo is the result of teamwork. Targets can be easily achieved through planned strategies. I strongly believe in teamwork Parliamentarians, Provincial and Municipal councillors got-together and worked hard for the success of the Negombo city project.

We have completed two third of the work of the project. We have solved the long outstanding water problem in Negombo. The residents in Talahena peruwa were provided drinking water under a desalination project donated by Spain.

The other components of the Negombo development project such as Negombo new road network, super market project, new bus stand and fish market are moving past according to reach the targets. The new city project is a huge investment to the tune of Rs. 9,500 billion of which Rs. 5,500 billion have already been expended.

No doubt Negombo would be a mega city in Asia when the project is completed. The Katunayake BIA is one of the busiest airports in Asia. Hotel rooms in Negombo are always fully booked by the tourists.

A friend of all communities and religions it is my firm view that the mega city project would usher in a new era for its people.

Q: Negative thinking some groups claimed that SriLankan and Mihin Air cannot succeed as viable ventures at the hands of Sri Lankans. Would you share this view?

A: Sri Lankans proved that they can achieve any given target after eradicating LTTE the most notorious terror organisations from our land.

The Mihin Air as well as SriLankan had passed the breakaway point and now both ventures are on a solid base for improvement.

In assigning me the Aviation Deputy Minister portfolio, President Mahinda Rajapaksa briefed me as to how the aviation sector should be developed. I am happy that I have already achieved what he expected of me. No worker demands or unsolved problems now remain in the aviation sector. All employees united under one flag work for the progress of the aviation sector.

They felicitated me as their leader recently. More than 100,000 expatriate Sri Lankans in Italy and France wanted me to recommence SriLankan flights to Rome and Milan and those have now been launched.

This country can be developed if the politicians listen carefully to the people and act accordingly, the Deputy Minister optimistically remarked.