Tamil politicians must discuss millennium goals - Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa

By Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Environment Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said reconciliation has to be carried forward in this post- conflict scenario. The Minister told the Sunday Observer that Tamil politicians must come out with a reconciliatory approach regarding the problems faced by the people in the North and East. Recalling the past would not serve any purpose. Instead of discussing millennium goals, even today some Tamil politicians were talking about age-old goals which has no relevance.

The Minister said the majority and minority concept is not there in the world today. It's a dying concept and Tamil politicians will have to understand this. Responsibility has been entrusted on Tamil politicians to understand the requirements, what they can get from the Government and how to reconcile with their own people and others who are living outside their areas. This attitude is necessary. My opinion is that our country is much better than many other countries, when it comes to treatment of minorities.

The Minister debunked the claim about the country being militarised.The military is being trained for many purposes. The Government is getting maximum use out of young blood. War heroes are our countrymen and their families will not turn out to be undemocratic. The Government believes in the ballot and not the bullet.

Referring to the crisis in the UNP, the Minister maintained the position that as long as a political party does not have a coherent policy , vision, leadership and unanimity, it will not be able to become a powerful political party. Unlike the UPFA Government. Which has leadership, unanimity and experience. That is why the SLFP has become the largest political party in the country today. The UNP will have to face this setback until they rectify themselves if not the future of the UNP will be very bleak.

Q: What are the initiatives taken by your Ministry in 2011 to protect the environment?

A: That's a very open question. In the field of environment, domestically we have decided to amend some of the stringent laws that are in place when it comes to the Forest Act as well as other Acts that are in force which are being governed or administered by the Ministry. We have also taken several initiatives internationally as well. I can give an example because earlier during the British period, they enacted laws for the felling and transportation of timber that was not coming from the private sector.

These laws had been formulated during those times when forest cover was nearly 80 percent and the state owned the land.At present our forest cover is less than 30 percent.

Most of our timber requirement comes form the private sector and not from the state sector anymore. But the law itself says if you fell a tree, the presumption is that the tree belongs to the Government. Because of that timber- related industries are not doing well in this country except for a few areas.

So I have thought of simplifying this procedure. Firstly, those who have the facility to grow timber could cut the timber and sell it for commercial purposes. That will be a deviation from the present position and will be in line with the present day conditions.

Secondly, in 1958, a seismic survey was carried out on the availability of mineral resources in the country. After that no survey has been carried out. Now we are going to do a seismic survey covering the entire country. I have already presented the Cabinet paper in this regard. Once that is approved, I believe that things will be easy. Thirdly, internationally, we are governed by certain conventions like the Vienna Convention and some other conventions.

So I think we should have a secretariat for that.in fact we have a secretariat but we will have to enhance it and get more participation from experts. The Climate Change Secretariat and Biodiversity Secretariat also need experts. Because protecting the environment is a top priority.

Q: 2012 is very important as the Rio Conference on climate change will be held. What are the programs being drawn up by Sri Lanka in this connection and address climate change?

A: COPE 17, the last climate change conference held in Durban, South Africa had no finality and no binding targets were discussed.No new convention not even the Kyoto second commitment was discussed.

They said they agreed but there was no legal binding on the part of the parties. Some of the industrialised countries openly said they were not participating. America did not participate and Canada withdrew. There are other countries who say they want to withdraw. So what happen is this conference is yet to come to some final agreement. We feel insecure.

Q: Are you taking any steps with the Power Ministry to have more renewable energy projects such as wind and solar?

A: The Minister of Power and Energy, Champika Ranawaka and his Ministry is taking a lot of interest on these issues. Annually we need to step up electricity production by eight to 10 percent.

When we have more industries , electricity consumption increases. At present, the cheapest mode of electricity is either by using hydro power, diesel or LNG. In addition to that, I think Sri Lanka has lot of potential for many hydros, wind power as well as other things. So I believe, the Ministry is taking steps and a Sustainable Energy Authority is also there. I think they are doing their level best and we are helping and encouraging them to carry out energy efficient methods.

Q: Sri Lanka has a very low carbon footprint in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. Several Lankan companies have won worldwide recognition for being carbon neutral. Will you be encouraging more state and private sector organisations to adopt more environmental friendly practices?

A: Yes we are doing it. Actually we have congratulate the for taking initiatives in transforming their methods into greener methods. Most of the companies are now vigorously engage in transforming their methods into environmental friendly methods. For the first time, the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has started a Green Awards ceremony which is supported by the Ministry.

We are constantly meeting and talking to them and give whatever advise we can give them. Because this is a very important issue and global trade is also a huge concern. In the future, unless you make those changes, you won't be able to sell products outside.

We have to be very careful. It is not only us the Government, the private sector too is changing their method of manufacture. Its of paramount importance in the future. These new methods will be compulsory for future exports.

The industry is well aware about this. When tea is manufactured , Ethyl Bromide is used. The Ozone Secretariat of the Ministry has taken initiatives to develop some kind of a bromide substance to clean it. Now we have developed a system without that Ozone depleting substance, they can use some other substance which is not harmful for the whole world. We are the first to do it and actually we have won an award as well. We have helped the Tea Board to achieve that goal. Likewise we are doing everything possible for the industrial sectors to come up with new ideas that are environment-friendly.

Q: Garbage disposal has become a big problem of late. Are there initiatives to use waste for power generation and other environment friendly measures?

A: This is a sophisticated and extremely cost sensitive issue. We have got some requests from various quarters what we want them is to initiate a garbage disposal unit which can regenerate electricity, using their money. One company has been given Cabinet approval and they have laid the foundation to do it in Karadiyana.

There are two or three requests from us as well. So we are looking at it positively. Because we need at least 1,000 tonnes of garbage a day for the unit to function and ideally Colombo is most suitable.

We have ship waste and clinical waste which can be taken utilised.

We are encouraging the private sector to open such projects. One company has also developed a geocycle solution for garbage disposal.

They have one factory in Katunayake which I opened.

In the near future we will I expect these units to begin functioning. In other Local Government areas, the Government is spending money to establish their own compost units.

We are not only giving them technical know- how but also machinery and the funds that are required. The CEA is handling funds because the Government has allocated them around Rs. 5 billion. It is our intention to take control of garbage and put it to good use. We will take control of garbage in local and urban areas and also in Colombo.

Q: What are the steps being taken to create awareness among the people on environmental issues?

A: Next year the CEA will begin a village- based education system to educate villagers. We also have a large number of school brigades. We are annually educating them. But this year we want to double it so that the people will be aware of what they are doing.

Only by creating awareness and educating the people on the impact of the consequences can we solve this issue and get them to take care of their environment. I think Sri Lanka of course is fortunate because our education system is good and we have a fair chance to enlighten the people o major issues.

Q: Are you contemplating tougher laws against companies and individuals who flout environmental laws?

A: We have such laws. But we want to have more stringent laws. In my opinion the present laws are adequate to take action.

Q: Do you think the UNP can mount an effective challenge to the Government even under a new leader?

A: I sympathise with the present plight of the UNP. When you see what happened at Sirikotha Headquarters on December 19, it was a shocker to see supporters of certain UNP leaders throwing stones to their own party headquarters. I have always maintained the position that the UNP will not be a big party unless there is a coherent policy, unanimity, discussion and agreement.

If a political party does not have this and if its members do not listen to its leadership, what do you expect them to do? There can be more and more factions and they may try to bring down the others.

That is why the SLFP has become the largest political party in the country today. I don't think anytime in the near future, the UNP will reassemble and come back to power. They will have to sit back till they correct themselves and until such time the future of the UNP will be very bleak.

However, there should be a vibrant Opposition in the country. But I don't see this as being a necessity. This is a British parliamentary concept.

The Opposition is there to find fault and criticise the Government and correct the government, policy wise as well as in the day- to -day affairs. What are they doing now? There is no constructive criticism, idea or policy. One or two of them want to come out and show to the world or to the country that they are the top people. That's all.

As long as that is there idea, I don't see such an Opposition being essential to the functioning of the government.Today the UNP has become a problem.

Q: You were the former Media Minister. What kind of steps should be taken to ensure more responsible and ethical reporting on environment and all other matters?

A: Actually I don't want to answer it as I am no longer the Media Minister. There is a new Minister and he has the right to formulate policies.

The local media is very critical. However, the media should be able to report with confidence. They also know should ensure what is being reported is factually correct. Just listening and writing something will not serve any purpose. I have been telling for a number of years. Responsibility has to be the key in reporting. You have to report, based on authentic facts.

Otherwise the news is warped. That's what is happening to Sri Lanka today. I think journalists need to be educated. We should allow them to go abroad and work in foreign media institutions and be experienced and come back. That is the best thing to do. So I tried my best to do that. I salute the Present Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella because he has the same idea and he will do it.

Q: The Opposition talks about the lack of media freedom in Sri Lanka. What is your comment?

A: I don't know this has been there for a long time. That is why during the committee stage debate on the Media Ministry, I asked how can we expect media freedom without responsibility? Freedom and responsibility goes hand in hand.

Journalists must have a sense of responsibility, then freedom will follow automatically. So its up to the media personnel as well as media institutions to find this difference rather than fight and shout saying that they don't have freedom. It does not serve any purpose. Because the word freedom has a broad concept. For example, recently the US President wanted to stop some of the websites.

The British media and tabloids made a huge outcry and said that they have no means of listening to other peoples cellular phones of celebrities as well as the Government. So what are they talking about? What do they mean by freedom? I really don't know what it is. No one can define it. They are fighting for a word that cannot be defined. I always tell you freedom comes if responsibility is there. If there is a responsible media, the 'freedom' will definitely be there.

Q: The LLRC report tabled in Parliament has made a series of recommendations. How would the LLRC report facilitate the Government's reconciliation process?

A: That is a very good report and I am still reading it. When you go through it you can see that is one of the best reports that we have seen in recent times. Now terrorism has been eradicated and the people are happy. Compared to many other countries, I believe that we are treating our minorities in a very respectable manner. In any other country, it is a different story altogether.Unfortunately, there is a lack of understanding on the part of the people. They are being governed by some people who are living abroad or because they are sending money.

They are vociferous there and they want to just follow them blindly. I don't think its a very good thing. During the period of terrorism over the past 25 or 30 years, the country suffered a lot. Not only the Tamils even the Sinhalese and Muslims suffered. There was no development and we could not talk about development as everything changed in 24 hours. We could not formulate or carry forward long term policies. Now we have a golden opportunity to do everything.

The development side is being taken care of by the Government and the people are being resettled in the same manner. Certain things have to be done. Reconciliation that has to be taken forward at this post- conflict juncture.

I think Tamil politicians must come out with some reconciliatory approach towards the problems faced by the people in the North and East. There is no use in recalling the past. this will not serve any purpose. Now it is 2011.

We are in a new millennium. Are we discussing millennium goals now? They are discussing antiquated goals which has no relevance today. I think this majority and minority concept is also not there in the world today. It is a dying concept. Tamil politicians will have to understand that. A huge responsibility has been entrusted upon Tamil politicians to understand what they want now, what they can get from the Government and how to reconcile with their own people and others who are living outside their areas. This type of attitude is necessary. My opinion is that our country is better than many other countries when it comes to the treatment of minorities.

Q: The TNA during the budget debate attempted to highlight that the country is heading towards militarisation specially due to steps taken by the Government to utilise the services of the Armed Forces for various development activities. Your comments ?

A: Sri Lanka is a liberal, democratic country. Who destroyed that? It was destroyed by some of these people who are talking today, firstly the JVP and then the LTTE. Who advocated violence in this country? Who destroyed the principles that we had for generations? They destroyed it and they are coming out and saying we are not doing anything. This is a ridiculous argument. We are trying our level best to bring back those plural, democratic and liberal principles to Sri Lankan society. We will never allow anybody to undermine them. It is true that the military is there. After the great battle of defeating terrorism, we are using the services of the armed forces for various other development work. I don't see it as being wrong. I debunk this militarisation theory put forward by Tamil politicians. The military is being trained for many purposes. We are getting maximum use out of young blood. While not agreeing with them, I always tell them who are they? They are also our own countrymen and young boys and girls. Their parents are in society. So you can't expect them to be undemocratic. Are we going to do that? We are not going to do that. We believe in the ballot not the bullet. Let this continue, then things will fall into place.

Q: How do you view the Budget being passed with an overwhelming majority in Parliament?

A: It has been proposed in Parliament that a vast amount of development is to take place. As the Budget has been passed, we are now in a position to implement the proposals. Let see what we have done in the recent past as well. The development of infrastructure, provided electricity, water and other amenities to the people and create more job opportunities for the people. Then the people will be able to get more produce and more money for agriculture. Those are our areas. We will continue to do it and we want to increase our GDP and per capita Income so that the ultimate beneficiaries will be the people. This is our goal.