Unity - Ideal catalyst for development - Prime Minister

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Plantation Minister D.M. Jayaratne as the 14th Prime Minister of Sri Lanka. Premier who possessed to a distinguished political career as the most senior member of the SLFP joined the SLFP as its 13th member in 1950. He first entered Parliament in 1970 by contesting from Gampola electorate.

During his nearly four decades political experience in Parliament, Premier has gained a high reputation as an illustrious politician who always dedicated himself to uphold democratic traditions of the House. The Prime Minister in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer said he could succeed in his political career as he always remained faithful to the party and his leaders.

Q: You are one of the founding members of the SLFP. You have always remained faithful to the party and your leaders. You are close to the people. Is that the secret of your success in politics?

A: I have been in the SLFP as one of its active members over the past 58 years. My Leaders were ready to offer me this Prime Minister portfolio twice. But they were unable to do it due to certain problems those days.

I was very generous and told my Leaders to offer it to anybody who deserves it. During my long-standing political career, I have made a lot of such sacrifices. Being an active member of one political party for a long time, I have made lot of sacrifices for the uplift of the party. I think President Mahinda Rajapaksa offered me this portfolio considering the great service rendered by me on behalf of the SLFP.

Q: How do you feel now after the President made you Prime Minister? Isn't this a recognition of your political and leadership skills?

A: Of course. I have been actively dedicated on behalf of the SLFP over the past 58 years. I always respected my leadership.

I have never acted against the leadership. As a very responsible member of the SLFP, I always acted with patience by doing my best on behalf of my party. Therefore President may have appointed me the Prime Minister in recognition of my political career.

Q: How do you plan to repay the confidence placed in you by the President and how do you plan to serve the people all over the country?

A: At present the country has been turned into normality due to moves taken by the President to end three decades old terrorism. Under "Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma" plans have been formulated to develop the country's economy and turn Sri Lanka into the status of a developed country. I will extend my fullest support to the President to implement " Mahinda Chinthana" in our country.

Q: How do you help the President to achieve the goals of lasting peace, ethnic harmony and development?

A: During the election campaign, attention was focused on changing the constitution and the electoral system. Emphasis was also laid to introduce a new constitution which can be accepted by all communities.

I am confident, we would be able to formulate a new constitution to address the needs of all communities and pave the way for development.

Q: Do you have any plans in particular for developing the hill country which you represent?

A: Of course. I hope to implement certain plans not only for the people in the hill country but also for the people in the entire country to uplift their moral values. At present there is a decline of moral values among the society.

There is an increasing trend of robberies, murders and other violent activities. The legal provisions have no ability to completely stop these activities.

In order to prevent such activities, there is a dire need to develop moral values among the people. I hope every religion can play a vital role to change the minds of the people.

Q: You have reached this position after a long political journey. What is your advice to the newly elected young MPs who are political novices?

A: Since the day I entered into Parliament, I had a keen interest to read and study each clause of the Bills presented in Parliament.

As new comers those days, we gathered all required information on bills from the Parliament library. In addition, we also obtained the views from experts on those bills. We obtained perfect understanding on that particular bill, before it was submitted to Parliament. Therefore, the newly elected MPs should also study on the people's problems and various bills introduced in Parliament. They should obtain the views of senior members and gather information from the library by expressing their views in Parliament in a more constructive manner.Then the Parliament would turn into a key place where others can also learn like them.

Q: The UPFA secured a record 144 seats at the General Election. What is your comment on this historic achievement?

A: This is a great victory which was entirely given to the President by the country's people.

The President could successfully end the three decades old war against terrorists. Therefore the country's people firmly believed that this great Leader has also the ability of creating a conducive socio-economic climate within the country which would enable their children to live in a dignified manner.

The people were of the firm view that they should extend their fullest support to the President to form a stable Government.

The people have helped the Government to obtain 144 seats, the highest number of seats ever obtained by a Government under the present electoral system.

Q: The Government needs another six seats to secure a two third majority in Parliament. What kind of program has been formulated by the Government to obtain these six seats?

A: The Opposition has also expressed their willingness to act jointly to amend the constitution.

I hope we would be able to reach a consensus with the political Party Leaders in the Opposition to change the Constitution. Some politicians who represent the minority political parties have also pledged their support to the Government on its good endeavours.

Q: The Government achieved another significant political milestone by unanimously electing the Speaker. How do you view this recent political development?

A: I would like to say the inaugural session of seventh Parliament was the most distinguished sessions held in the recent history of Parliament. We could unanimously elect the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and the Deputy Chairman of Committees. Both the Government and the Opposition acted with harmony to elect these persons. In future too, if we can act in similar manner in Parliament, it would be very easy for the Government to implement its development drive.

This unity created in Parliament would also pave the way to the people to unite outside the Parliament as well. When we all are united, it is very easy to develop this country.

I wish in future all the Government and Opposition members in Parliament will unite and jointly act to develop this country irrespective of politics.

Q: You have no problems with the Opposition and everyone is friendly with you. How do you plan to work with the Opposition in Parliament and outside?

A: I always equally treat both Government and Opposition MPs equally.

They also treat me in similar manner. I always maintained the view when the Government formulate necessary rules and regulations to govern the country, the Opposition should have a right to point out the shortcomings of such rules and regulations. Then the Government can rectify those shortcomings.

It would facilitate both the Government and the Opposition to take the country to the proper direction by upholding the democratic norms. I hope we would be able to peacefully formulate rules and regulations for the future development of the country.