People will endorse President's mandate - Minister Milinda Moragoda

by Ranil WIJAYAPALA

Milinda Moragoda has become a different character in politics due to his policies to deviate from the traditional and popular methods of election propaganda despite stiff competition. He has opted to become a silent campaigner in the election and use the money for the well-being of the society. The Sunday Observer interviewed Minister Milinda Moragoda about the policies he has put forward to the people.

Q: As a UPFA candidate contesting for the Colombo district you have taken a different approach in your election campaign. You have deviated from the traditional method of campaigning such as pasting posters, cut-outs and holding big meetings. How confident are you in making your way to Parliament by adhering to a new method of campaigning considering the competition among candidates?

A: I approached the election campaign with a philosophy to say no to posters, cut-outs, big meetings, tamashas, crackers and garlanding. We went house to house campaigning and held pocket meetings and discussions where people can ask questions.

For me that is what democracy is all about. We speak to people and try to understand their views and dialogue with them. An election campaign should be about people. It should respect the rights of people and not force them to make decisions. So we put forward our policies and agenda to the Government that is within the Mahinda Chinthana .

Q: You entered politics from the United National Party. This time you are contesting under the UPFA banner. Are you confident that you could muster sufficient votes to make your way to Parliament?

A: As far as I am concerned everybody is a citizen of Sri Lanka. The parties are not like tribes. What is happening in Sri Lanka is that parties have become like tribes. One party is trying to outdo the other and as a result we are unable to develop the country. My argument is that we are all Sri Lankans. Whatever our party our ethnicity, religion and class is all of us are Sri Lankans. My policies are for Sri Lankans and they are not bias. I always say that we should change the personalities to policies in politics. During the war these things may have been difficult to politics. For us the President has given us a unique opportunity by eradicating terrorism. Now we can create a new society and we have to start thinking what values we should have in the society. What should be the Sri Lankan identity. For me these are the issues. For me it is not about parties but about developing Sri Lanka.

Q: Unlike other UNP members who joined the Government, you opted to form a political party instead of joining the SLFP. What made you to make this decision?

A: The idea of forming this political party is that the Ceylon National Congress was the first political movement of Sri Lanka. The main purpose of that movement was the struggle for independence. In my view the President was very skilful in bringing together a diverse coalition to win the war. May be five years ago, if someone thought that President could have done all these things, nobody would have believed it.

But he was able to do that. I believe that he can put together a coalition that could win peace. And for that coalition you have to have different points of view, different angles.

Our idea was to present another point of view to him. Under his banner we have presented a different point of view. So he is trying to put everyone together and trying to come out with a common policy. So that is to strengthen him in a way by bringing another perspective. That was how we thought of it when we set up the National Congress.

Q: Do you think that it is possible to maintain all these policies in your party in this a political set up?

A: We have to try. If we don't we will not know. I believe under the President's leadership we can do it. But we have to start. That is what is important.

Q: The UPFA is contesting the General election to secure a two thirds majority. As a UPFA candidate are you confident that the UPFA can achieve it or is it important to have two-thirds majority to implement all program of the Government?

A: I never predict elections. I feel that people must be given time to do that. But the President got an overwhelming mandate and I believe that people will give him a Government he can work with. Two thirds majority is needed. We need two-thirds majority to change the preferential voting system.

The President has spoken about forming a Senate and making number of reforms in the Mahinda Chinthana . To implement them we need two thirds majority. But to do that we have to convince people. That is our challenge.

Q: The UNP says that only it can develop the economy. As a former member of the UNF and as Minister in the UNF Government do you agree with this idea?

A: I don't think there is one group or the other that can do this better. I don't agree with that opinion. I think if we unit as a country we could achieve a lot. The President was able to bring together this coalition to win the war. I don't think anybody thought that it was possible.

Now he is attempting to bring a coalition to establish lasting peace and develop the country. I think he has the strength and the leadership, and I think he can do that. I can say people are better at one thing or the other I am not too sure whether it is a good argument.

Q: What is your assessment about the Colombo district, the constituency you represent. What are the challenges you face and what is your plan to develop the district?

A: We have presented our agenda to the government, a section of it is called Pura Neguma . The President also has his own program to develop Colombo. Many issues have been identified under the Pura Neguma. Housing, infrastructure, sanitary, sewerage and water are some of the major problems.

Providing employment especially to males and sound education are some of the primary issues. Another major problem is drug addiction. Drugs are destroying youth in Colombo. It is similar to terrorism.

We need a programme to combat the drug menace. We need rehabilitation programs to reintegrate people to society. We need to findout why do youth take to drugs. We have to ensure that those who import drugs are severely punished.

We need a program to develop the city. Sometimes we get the feeling that we may have neglected the city because politically the city does not support our coalition very much.

Q: In your agenda among the other issues you have emphasised the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act and also about fair representation of women in Parliament. What are the reasons for this emphasis?

A: The Right to Information Act has worked very well in India. Everybody talks about corruption without knowing facts.

My view is that before talking of corruption let us talk about transparency. People have the right to know. And based on that let them have their own views. I suggest that we propose a model similar to India.

Q: What is your view on women representation in politics?

A: The President in his Mahinda Chinthana program spoke about it. We are suggesting 25 percent quota representation of women in Parliament, in the Provincial Council and in Local Councils. India has also suggested one third representation of women in parliament. They are now amending the constitution.

Q: Do you think you can get the political backing to go ahead with these proposals?

A: We have to work on it. We are a democracy. We have to convince the people. If the people think it is a good idea we have to convince our colleagues. Democracy is that. Single-handedly we cannot push forward these ideas.

Q: What would be the final result of the General Election?

A; Let the people decide. The President got an overwhelming mandate and I think the people would give him a government, a strong government. Ultimately it is the people who have to decide.