Mahinda Chintana accomplished pledges - S.B.

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

SLFP Organiser for Udunuwara and Former Agriculture, Livestock and Samurdhi Minister S.B. Dissanayake said the UPFA Government has won the highest number of seats ever obtained by a Government under the existing electoral system. In an interview with the Sunday Observer he said the firm confidence reposed by the people in President Mahinda Rajapaksa enabled the UPFA to achieve a landslide victory. The consensus reached by the Government and the Opposition to unanimously elect the Speaker is a very good political development which would augur well for the future of parliamentary democracy in the country.

Q: What led the Government to achieve a landslide victory at this General Election?

A: Even before the General Election, we knew that the UPFA would achieve a landslide victory. A large number of people who voted for the "swan" at the last Presidential Election voted for the betel leaf this time. Some who voted for the "swan" did not cast their vote at this election. Some people who voted for the "swan" were misled by Sarath Fonseka that he would win the Presidential Election. But at this General Election most of them voted for the UPFA. They did not vote for the DNA or the UNP as the people have lost faith in what Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sarath Fonseka preached during the Presidential Election campaign.

The percentage of the UPFA votes was reduced at the general election as the people knew UPFA would achieve an easy victory. Therefore, this time people didn't take much interest to vote as they did at the last Presidential Election. But on the whole, the UPFA received a landslide victory at the General Election. President Mahinda Rajapaksa called the voters to extend their support to form a stable Government which they responded with resounding victory for the UPFA. Those in the UNP camp too had voted for the UPFA.

Q: Would the UPFA be able to form a Government with a two-third majority?

A: At the moment the Government has come closer to securing a two third majority. The Government has obtained 144 seats. This means the Government needs another six seats to get a two third majority. Several elected representatives from parties other than the UNP have expressed their willingness to join the Government. Therefore, we would be able to form a Government with a two-third majority.

Q: The UPFA has been able to obtain the highest number of seats ever won by a Government under the existing electoral system. What were the key reasons which led the UPFA to victory?

A: I think this is the first time in our election history that a political party has secured a highest number of seats in the country's legislature. The firm confidence reposed by the people in the President is the key reason for the UPFA to achieve a resounding victory. When the entire world said "no", the President was able to win the war successfully against the ruthless LTTE terrorists. It is a unique achievement on the part of the President as no other country has been able to eradicate terrorism from its soil. At present, the environment conducive to development has been created within the country. Sri Lanka has been transformed into a very peaceful country today. The Government has expedited its development drive. Five harbours and a large number of express ways are under construction. In addition, the Government has also launched several power generating projects. Tourism industry has also recorded a steady progress. Therefore, Sri Lanka has entered the path of rapid development at present.

Q: Do you think the people have assured the Government of an overwhelming majority as they have reposed their confidence in the "Mahinda Chintana"?

A: Of course, "Mahinda Chintana" has so far accomplished more than what it has pledged to the people. As pledged in "Mahinda Chintana" the President won the war against the terrorists by surprising the entire world. The Government while conducting the war also carried out its rapid development drive. I think these are miracles which no other country could have performed.

Q: The UNP obtained a minimum number of seats at this General Election. What led the UNP to face this severe set back?

A: It is mainly due to the hypocracy on the part of the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe. He does not love his party or his partymen. When the military operations against the terrorists were going on, he resorted to hatching various conspiracies against the country. His only agenda is to continue to remain as the Party Leader. He does not have any interest in his country or its people. This election would go down in history as 19th defeat suffered by the UNP under the leadership of Wickremesinghe.

Q: The people elected a large number of new faces to the Parliament. How do you observe this new development?

A: The new faces in politics are a salutary feature. Some of them have won their seats after spending a huge amount of money while the intellectuals have failed as they don't have adequate funds with them. This is the main fault with the preferential system.

Q: How do you view the election of the Speaker to the seventh Parliament (under the present constitution)?

A: I think this is a very good political development. The consensus reached by the Government and the Opposition in unanimously electing the Speaker would augur well for the future of Parliamentary democracy.

Q: How do you feel reentering Parliament after a lapse of nearly six years?

A: I was removed from Parliament due to a wrong judgement given by the then Chief Justice. Even the UN Human Rights Commission in its verdict declared it a wrong judgement. Again I joined the SLFP and contested Kandy district under the UPFA ticket.

I extend my gratitude to the people of Kandy who elected me to the Parliament with 108,000 preferential votes.

Q: What action was taken by the Government in regard to Nawalapitiya incidents?

A: An inquiry is being held on this incident following a request made to the President by us. It has since been decided not to give any ministerial portfolios to the UPFA MPs elected from the Kandy district until the inquiry is completed.