Two-third majority certain - Patali Champika

Q: As Minister of Environment and Natural Resources are you satisfied with the performance of your ministry during the last three years?

A: Yes, of course. I made my ministry a revenue-earning body. The revenue my ministry earned in 2006 was 1,052 million which shot up to 4,244 ml in 2009, an increase of 400%. The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau increased its earnings from 229 million to 618 million and the State Timber Corporation from 2105 ml to 3,681 ml. We also succeeded in putting up a new environmental-friendly ministry building and two new buildings for the department of Wildlife Conservation and GSMB.

Solutions were found to ten burning problems in the country. 'Pilisaru' project has provided financial technological and other assistance to 80 local bodies.

We could make arrangements to have the Colombo City garbage problem solved in the next three months.

Solutions were also found for such long-standing problems as Human-Elephant Conflict and facilitated the movement of animals by opening up all sanctuaries of the department of Wild Life Conservation. Circuit bungalows hitherto remained closed were reopened and new bungalows were also constructed. Research conducted on making petrol out of polythene were successful and thereby the menace of polythene could be warded off.

School children were made aware of the pilot projects such as 'Dewa Jawaya', 'Ran Derana', 'Jeewa Jawaya,' 'Wana Senasuna', 'Piyakaru Purawara,' 'Haritha Gammana', 'Helathuru Wiyana' to make the future generation environment-friendly.

I was elected president of the Vienna Convention unanimously for 3 years. The Vienna Convention consists of 196 countries of the world.

We were adjudged the best country in our crusade to protect the ozone layer.

We could also take the country forward nationally and internationally by stressing the importance of the sustainable human Development Index.

Q. How do you conduct your election campaign as a candidate for Colombo district. What slot will you achieve in the final result?

A:I believe our first preference should go to 'Mother Earth.' We always talked of the 'Mother Earth.' A few years ago when we said LTTE terrorists should be defeated and it was in fact feasible, there were only a handful of supporters with us. However, President Mahinda Rajapaksa and our gallant soldiers have made it a reality. Our election campaign too is eco-friendly and poses no threat to the society. It is an exemplary lead to the future elections as well. We completely dissociate with election campaigns engineered by black money or contaminated with posters, polythene, liquor etc. We don't endorse the rape of the mother. Our election campaign is an exemplary one, permitting no rape of land, water etc. It has been proved by both word and action!

Therefore, We are least bothered about our slots in the final list. We believe it is a vote for a decent parliament.

Q. How do you predict the UPFA victory?

A: We are sure we will obtain a two-third majority at the election. It is victory for the future of this country. It is simultaneously a vote to curtail the powers of the Executive Presidency and make it accountable to Parliament and Judiciary, to draft a new constitution beneficial to the country's progress and to restore the past heritage.

Q. Well, What will be the UPFA plan for the future after the election victory?

A: Today we are a free country. The terrorist menace has been completely eliminated. There are four challenges before the country, firstly the LTTE's separatist moment operative in foreign countries. Certain foreign countries who have Sri Lanka together with anti-Sinhala - hate-politics - elements are engaged in a sinister campaign to marginalize and dislodge Sri Lanka. We need creative-minded people to accept this challenge. Secondly. It is the challenge of regaining our lost opportunities by making the optimum use of the country's superb geographical location, our fertile lands, national resources and our literate human resources. At the end we will be able to make Sri Lanka the "Wonder of Asia" with the implementation of our quintuple programme.

Thirdly, the introduction of a new culture which gives the pride of place to 'merit', in place of hierarchy. Such a system will help install good governance and a State and private sector free from bribery and corruption. It is because of the introduction of such innovative practices that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources could increase its revenue-earning capacity. It will eventually help Sri Lanka improve its economy with sound management policies.

Fourthly - Our understanding that the modern development is not tenable and therefore foundation has to be laid for sustainable development. The indiscriminate exploitation of the environment resulted in droughts, floods, sea erosion and extinction of animal species, increase of mosquito threat etc. Unless the indiscriminate exploitation of the environment is stopped, the species will vanish for the sixth time as well.

The need of the hour is to vote more professionals to the country's legislature who can usher in a 'Green Economy'.

Accordingly the future of the country depends on such a vision and the new government, politician and the public together share a greater responsibility in ushering the country into a new era.

-Translated by M. Kittampahuwa