Kotte MC will be an efficient administrative body - Kanishka Kularatne

By L.S. Ananda WEDAARACHCHI

Ex-soldiers who contested the recent Provincial Councils and Local Government elections under the UPFA ticket were elected to office with huge majorities, said Kotte Municipal Council UPFA candidate retired Navy Commodore, Kanishka Kularatna in an interview with the Sunday Observer

A grandson of Colombo Ananda College founder principal and veteran educationalist P.De.S. Kularatna, Kanishka said he wanted to play an active role in the Greater Colombo development program implemented by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: You have been in the Sri Lanka Navy for over 26 years and had fought many battles against the LTTE terrorists. What made you to take to politics?

A: There is a plan drawn up by the Urban Development Authority (UDA) under the directive of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to develop Kotte. The Greater Colombo flood Control and Development Project is in progress. Surveys had revealed that recurrent city floods could be effectively controlled by desilting inland waterways such as Diyawanna Oya and cleaning water-logged drains. Landscaping, desilting Diyawanna Oya paving roads and pavements around the Parliamentary complex are in progress.

Q: Terrorism was eliminated by the security forces and the police. Do you say that the government expects the services of trained soldiers for development work.

A: Exactly so, The Sanga, Veda, Guru, Govi, Kamkaru - Pancha Maha Balavegaya have been reoriented into Saya Maha Balavegaya with the inclusion of Ranaviru as by President Mahinda Rajapaksa the day following Prabakaran's body was recovered at Velamullaikivalk later the Ranaviru Foundation was setup. One representative from the Ranaviru Foundation had been nominated to contest each provincial council election and other elections for local bodies. They were retained with huge majorities.

We want to have our services to develop the country. We are not interested in enjoying political power or other individual benefits.

Q: You have put forward ten point policy plan for the Kotte MC Election. Can you elaborate?

A: My aim is to transform the Kotte Municipal Council into a disciplined and efficient administrative body. The revenue should be allocated for fruitful projects. Programs to improve the living standards of the voters should be launched. Development of canals and wetlands to ensure a systematic flow of rain water garbage disposal and its recycling for fertilizer and improvement of health facilities will be implemented with the assistance of the central government.

An another area of importance is the opening of vocational centres for school leavers and upgrading of library facilities.

Q: Sea Tiger leader Soosai and LTTE Political Leader Tamil Chelvam were proud about their sea tiger power. That was no match for the might of the Navy. Your comments.

A: Sri Lanka Navy efficiently destroyed the LTTE Tiger network.

A number of LTTE ships transporting heavy military hardware were successfully reconnoitred and destroyed on the direction of former Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda.

In 2001 during the peace accord some LTTE ships transporting weapons were destroyed by my contingents.

It was only after the capture of an LTTE boat at sea by my soldiers that it came to light that the LTTE had being using RPG weapons.

The achievements and victories during my 27-year service in the Navy helped me to serve the country.