Country needs President even after second term - Minister Aluthgamage

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage says the objective of the government is to get a two-thirds majority which will help abolish the Executive Presidency. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said President Mahinda Rajapaksa is an illustrious politician needed by this country and the people would not allow him to retire after he completes his second term of office.

"Our intention is to replace the Executive Presidency with the office of a Prime Minister who will be entirely responsible to Parliament, so that the latter can take the country forward to realise its objectives," he said.

Here are excerpts of the interview:

Q: Are you confident the Government would be able to secure a two-thirds majority in Parliament after the April 8 general election?

A: Yes, definitely. Under the present electoral system, this will be the last opportunity for a government which enjoys massive public support and popularity in the country to win a two-thirds majority. Compared to the overwhelming results of the last presidential election, the government could surely obtain 133 seats at a general election, short of 17 seats to command a two-thirds majority in Parliament. So it is a very easy task for us to secure a two-thirds majority!

Q: The Opposition says the government cannot obtain a two-thirds majority under the present electoral system. Your comments?

A: This is an absurd argument advanced by the Opposition. As they did at the last presidential election, this time they say the government will not win the general election.

We are sure we would definitely get the two-thirds majority at the forthcoming general election. The people support the view that the Constitution and the present electoral system should be changed.

If the people are genuinely interested in these changes, they should take a firm decision to give a two-thirds majority to the government. We urge the people to give a two-thirds majority to the government for the sake of the country. Therefore, it is for the Opposition to extend its support to the government.

Q: Do you think the people have made up their minds to give a two-thirds majority to the Government as an urgent need?

A: I think so. The government needs a two-thirds majority to abolish the Executive Presidency, implement the 17th Amendment and make changes in the present electoral system. Therefore, I am confident the people would give a two-thirds majority to the government as a matter of national importance.

The genuine intention of the government is to get a two-thirds majority and abolish the Executive Presidency. We firmly believe President Mahinda Rajapaksa is an illustrious politician who is needed by the country and the people would not allow him to retire after he completes his second term. Our intention is to replace the Executive Presidency with the office of the Prime Minister who is entirely responsible to Parliament, so that the latter can have the opportunity to take the country forward to realise its objectives. At present there is no second rung leadership to succeed President Rajapaksa in the country.

Q: Do you think the UNP and the JVP decided to contest under two alliances so that they could pose a challenge to the government?

A: Not at all. Such a move by the two parties would rather help the government to secure an easy victory. If the UNP and the JVP contest the general election as a joint Opposition, it could pose some challenge to the government. There is no such joint Opposition today. Both the UNP and the JVP have separately launched their campaigns mainly to secure their own positions.

Q: How do you view the development drive launched by the government during the past five years under the leadership of President Rajapaksa?

A: We have never witnessed a national leader who had ever launched such a key development drive while conducting a military operation against a ruthless terrorist outfit.

Under the leadership of the President, the government has commissioned several power generation projects by adding nearly 2000MW to the national grid. In addition, the government has also commenced several mega development projects such as Hambantota harbour and Mattala international airport.

To further expedite the development process, the government has allocated funds at the Grama Niladari division level as well.

Q: According to you why did the JVP decide to contest under the Democratic National Alliance instead of their party symbol?

A: They were taken for a ride by Ranil Wickremesinghe!

The JVP believed that the UNP would contest the general election under a common symbol. Their intention was to secure their seats by contesting under a common symbol. The JVP attempted to do a thing similar to what they did to the UPFA government.

But Ranil Wickremesinghe just gave them a big slap.

Q: Are you confident of the government's victory in the Kandy district?

A: I am very confident we would win the Kandy district by nearly 200,000 majority votes.The Government would surely obtain nine seats from the Kandy district.