Ratnapura voters will ensure my victory -  Vasudeva Nanayakkara

by Jaliya WIJEYEKOON

The sixth Parliament under the present Constitution was dissolved and over seven-thousand candidates are vying for the 196 seats in the legislature which will be shared by formidable candidates of all parties based on the proportion of the total number of votes polled by each party or group on district basis at the April 8 election.

With four more days to go for the election, all major parties have gathered momentum in their election campaigns.

The Sunday Observer had an exclusive interview with the Ratnapura UPFA candidate the veteran politician Vasudeva Nanayakkara.

Here are excerpts of the interview.

Question: President Mahinda Rajapaksa was prepared to accommodate you in the National List. Why did you refuse the offer and decide to contest the elections which in the present day context, is a very cumbersome process?

A: Well, our five-party left camp took a policy decision not to accept National List slots but to contest all possible districts under the UPFA to feel the pulse of the people.

Personally I don't like to get myself appointed from the National List as I have been with the masses from the time I ventured into politics.

Q: You are the most senior politician contesting the Ratnapura district under the UPFA banner. Can you enlighten us on your political history in the Ratnapura district?

A: I first entered Parliament contesting from the Kiriella electorate under the LSSP along with party stalwarts such as Dr. N.M. Perera, Colvin R. de Silva, Bernard Soysa and others and continued till 1977. In 1977 all of us lost our seats. Again I was re-elected with the highest number of preferential votes in the district in 1994 and continued to serve the people in the Ratnapura district.

I had some differences of opinion on a number of matters with the then President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and left the coalition and contested alone at the next election but without success.

The General Secretary of the SLFP at that time S.B. Dissanayake wanted me to rejoin the coalition and offered many options. I refused point-blank.

President Rajapaksa whom I knew quite well invited me to contest the 2010 general election under the UPFA banner as a partner of the alliance representing our five-party left wing camp.

Q: Although you are the most senior candidate in the district, there are some other candidates who have consolidated their position being senior ministers of the Cabinet and moved closely with the people. Therefore, do you think it is easy for you to compete with them and emerge victorious?

A: I know it's a tough competition. But, at the same time I believe that there is a substantial percentage of votes which I may poll to become a Member of Parliament from my district where I have worked honestly and resolved voters grievances at the August Assembly in the country.

Q: The resounding victory of President Rajapaksa is already a plus point for the candidates to launch their election campaign. What is your main theme on which you are spearheading your election campaign?

A: I do not engage in an aggressive election campaign like some other candidates.

Nor do I take part in huge election rallies.

Instead I meet my votes to discuss matters and we agree on issues that can be fulfilled once I am elected. People in the Ratnapura district know what I have done for them in the past. Therefore, I do not have to resort to cheap publicity.

Q: Although some Ministers say that the Government is still popular and the victory is a foregone conclusion, the cost-of-living has skyrocketed and ordinary daily wage earners and government servants are face with untold hardships. In this situation, what is the guarantee that you will have an easy victory?

A: Yes, I agree. People are undergoing various difficulties. But with the end of 30 years protracted war the time has come for politicians to earnestly engage in welfare and development activities which will ultimately lead to the prosperity of the downtrodden masses of the country.

We will have to take immediate measures to bring down the cost-of-living providing subsidies to the poorest of the poor. Plans should be drawn up and proper surveys should be conducted to identify the pressing needs on a priority basis to be addressed immediately. Every person has a legitimate right to own a piece of land and a house of his own. Our aim is to fulfil this need in future.

Q: The Government is calling upon the people to give them a two-third majority so that they can change the Constitution. Do you think it is possible to achieve it under the present system?

A: Obtaining a two-third majority under the prevalent system is not very easy. However, going by the recent election results and the present political climate in the country it may be possible for the UPFA to obtain a landslide victory at the elections.

Q: What is your view about the preferential voting system?

A: The preferential voting system has led to various complications and it has virtually challenged the democratic process. Internal conflicts among party candidates are a common sight at present which is due to the preferential system.

Q: Did you also encounter any bad experience?

A: Yes, but I ignore these petty things and try to maintain a cordial relationship with my fellow candidates.

Q: You are an advisor to the President. Doesn't your life-long socialist policies come into conflict with that of the President while discharging your duties?

A: I might cease to function as the advisor to the President as I am unable to represent my views on some relevant fora.

Q: You were a vociferous speaker for the Tamil cause for a very long time. I remember you took part in demonstrations and picketing campaigns in England too in the mid eighties. What is your present stand on the Tamil issue?

A: I have not changed my stand one bit. The genuine and legitimate grievances of the Tamil community should be addressed in order to establish inter-communal harmony and for all to live together as Sri Lankans.

Q: My final question is about your original party, LSSP. It was the cosmopolitan character and doctrinaire policies which led to the downfall of LSSP, can you comment?

A: Well, the LSSP was a very formidable force at the beginning. But due to various reasons it split into groups and gradually weakened. It doesn't mean that the party has completely eroded. It may come up again.