LLRC Report vital in reconciliation process - Minister Wimal
Weerawansa
By Uditha Kumarasinghe
*LLRC Report provides support to defeat international pressure
*Strengthens bilateral relations
*We need a world which respects dignity and human rights
*No easy task to win over those who hatch conspiracies
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Construction, Engineering Services, Housing
and Common Amenities Minister Wimal Weerawansa said the approach adopted
by the LLRC Report is of paramount importance for the Government’s
reconciliation process. The Minister told the Sunday Observer that the
need of the hour is to strengthen bilateral relations with friendly
countries and also to win over countries who stand up for us.
The Minister said it is no easy task to win
over those who hatch conspiracies against us. We should not think a
Report such as the LLRC would help us to win over these countries which
are against us. The LLRC Report provides the support to countries which
look at our issue in a fair and neutral manner to appear on behalf of
Sri Lanka before the international community. The LLRC Report has
provided some support to successfully defeat international pressure
exerted on Sri Lanka over alleged war crimes.
Minister Weerawansa said, today we are not
dreaming about an isolated State. Every country has dignity. We need a
world which respects this dignity, human rights and the independent
existence of every country. There is a section that respects these
principles. Except for a few Western and European countries, the
majority maintain this stance. We should move forward with a world that
helps us to secure the future. This does not mean that we should move
with our enemies who want to divide our country and attempt to raise the
issue of separatism again. Those who act against us or hatch
conspiracies against us are not the only people in the world.
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Q: What are your comments on the LLRC Report? Has it met with your
expectations?
A: Really we do not want the LLRC report. The LLRC report was a
requirement of local and international forces who are disenchanted over
the military victory achieved by the Government against terrorism.
They were anxiously waiting until the report was published. We had
confidence in the armed forces and that they had not committed any
offence. We understood that the country was rescued by the armed forces
from the most ruthless and powerful terrorist organisation in the world.
The release of the LLRC report was only awaited by those who were of
the view that crimes were committed and that they should be punished. It
looks like these elements are not satisfied even after the LLRC report
has been released. However, India had shown a positive approach on the
report and we are happy with India’s stance.
The official communiqué issued by the US and opinions expressed by
certain sections, shows that they are not satisfied with the report.
This report provides support to those who look at our issue in a fair
and neutral manner, to appear before the international community on
behalf of Sri Lanka. In comparison to the international operation
launched against Sri Lanka, the LLRC report has successfully defeated
international pressure exerted on Sri Lanka.
Q: The LLRC was a mechanism to reply to allegations levelled by
certain Western countries. What more can be done to thwart their
attempts to for an international investigation on Sri Lanka?
A:I don’t agree with all the contents in the LLRC report. But the
approach of the report is important. The LLRC report has not laid
adequate emphasis on the damage caused to the Sinhala and Tamil
community by Tamil separatism.
We agree that devolution of power should be made at grass roots level
to give powers even up to the level of Pradeshiya Sabhas and Urban
Councils. Whatever shortcomings are there, the approach adopted in the
LLRC report is very important to carry out the Government’s
reconciliation process.
We don’t have a methodology to satisfy those who stand against us. We
only need to strengthen ties with friendly countries who appear on
behalf of us and to win the countries that maintain reasonable
associations with us.
It is no easy task to win those who hatch conspiracies against us.
Therefore we should not think a report such as the LLRC would help us to
win over countries that are against us. This report will only help us to
strengthen bilateral ties with friendly countries and also to win over
countries that have a natural affiliation towards us.
Q: There is an outcry that Sri Lanka should have a viable mechanism
to protect human rights.
A: Human rights is not a historical concept. When we look at the
history of the world, how many years were taken for the concept of human
rights to be enshrined in Constitutions? Society reached this stage
after many eras.
There was no human rights during the era of slavery. In our country
we did not have an era of slavery. We had our own social structure
centered around kings, people, tanks, temples and dagabas.
At that stage we had human rights based on Buddhist culture and
Europe was in an era of slavery. What are the Western countries who
preach about human rights doing today? The US is going to pass a
separate Bill to suppress Wall Street type protests. Wall Street
demonstrators were assaulted in the US. If this incident occurred in Sri
Lanka the West will rise a big hue and cry .
I think these countries use human rights in a bid to weaken us. If a
country always thinks of only human rights, that country can never move
forward. That is why Western countries attempt to use human rights as an
attacking tool to bring Sri Lanka to that position. They can also use
this as a weapon to take various measures against us. We should not be
afraid of these allegations as we have already safeguarded human rights.
At present grave human rights violations are taking place in some
Western countries. If there are shortcomings in our system, we should
rectify them of our own accord.
Q: As an independent country is it not our responsibility to put our
house in order without outside help or interference?
A: Today we are not dreaming about an isolated State in the world.
Every country possesses dignity. We need a world which respects that
dignity, human rights and independent existence.
Today there is a section that respects these principles. Except for a
few Western and European countries, The majority maintain this stance.
We should move forward with a world that helps to secure a future.
This does not mean that we should move forward with enemies who want to
divide our country and attempt to raise the issue of separatism. Those
who are against us or hatch various conspiracies against us are not the
only people in the world. There is a section that respects the rights of
every country. Therefore we should move forward with them without being
isolated.
Q: Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch appear to have no
other business other than to sit in judgement over Sri Lanka. Have you
got to say anything about this situation?
A: All these institutions are doing a job. How does money come to
these institutions? These institutions are paid by the US or companies
in some other powerful countries. Sometimes they also get Government
funds through secret votes. This is their living. Some imperialistic
henchmen are represented in Amnesty International and other human rights
organisations.
However, these organisations don’t see any human rights violations in
the US. According to them Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi are dictators and
there is nothing wrong to assassinate them. When Libya was air raided by
NATO, they called it a humanitarian mission.
But it’s inhuman when the Sri Lankan Government won the war against
LTTE terrorists by conducting military operations through the land
route. We should not seriously take into consideration comments made by
human rights organisations because the entire world is aware of what
they are doing.
Q: In the light of the saying, once bitten, twice shy! How do you
view the Tamil parties’ demand for devolution of Police and land powers
to the North and East?
A: The Eastern province was reconstituted by a Tamil MP who became
the Home Affairs Minister of the then J. R. Jayayewardene Government.
Today anybody can go to Kalutara from Gampaha. Is it easy to go to
Trincomalee from Ampara? What is the distance to go to Trincomalee from
Ampara? Ampara is a very large district. The Eastern Province has been
created with political interest without considering the geographical or
people’s requirements. The need of the hour is to appoint a Delimitation
Commission and make recommendations as to whether the delimitation of
the country’s districts and provinces are right or wrong.
Otherwise merging the North and East will not bring any productive
result to this problem. A new decision has to be taken by considering
the geographical, environmental, population and road network in each
province. But we are afraid to make these changes. But it has to be
done.
Then the topic of merging the North and East will be irrelevant.
The geographical map should be changed in a manner which would not
provide any room for separatist political elements to engage in politics
based essential on land issues. It can be done and it is strategic
importance. This is what has to be done at the moment. The North and the
East should not be merged as the TNA says. The TNA requests the North
and East to be merged as they want to recreate the North and East
according to an Eelam map.
Q: Deployment of security forces for development work has brought
criticism from the Opposition. Is there any justification?
A: When the war against terrorists ended, security personnel were not
sent back home by the Government. As we have seen, many problems have
arisen in other countries regarding security forces, a year or two after
the eradication of a war. In most countries, it is difficult for them to
integrate security forces into society in a short time after serving in
the battle front. That is the trend anywhere in the world but this did
not happen in Sri Lanka.
There are no allegations that the Sri Lankan Armed Forces had
committed anti disciplinary activities. We have a lot of respect for our
Armed Forces. Our Armed Forces is one of the most disciplined Armed
Forces in the world. They cannot be isolated. Now with the challenges of
development they contribute their effort. This is the responsibility of
an Army as they fulfil their duty on behalf of the country. Weapons are
there to be handled at the appropriate time.
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Otherwise they have the ability to engage in any other development
activity. There is nothing wrong in that. Some people want to keep the
armed forces in isolation and discredit them. Certain elements want to
launch an operation against the Government, using this as a ploy. Those
who have this notion think that the deployment of security forces for
development as being a grave mistake.
Q: There seems to be an embarrassing situation for the Government
over the G.C.E. A/L fiasco and vegetable crate issue. Do you think there
are elements who are creating these situations to make things difficult
for the Government?
A: A dialogue with political leaders of the UPFA is essential. After
the President assumed his second term, nearly two years have lapsed. The
private sector pension scheme was introduced in good faith but it led to
displeasure due to some shortcomings. It is only the enemies of this
Government who want to tarnish its image.
There are some local and international forces who attempt to fulfil
this goal. The Revival of Underperforming Enterprises and Underutilised
Assets Bill was discussed at Cabinet level and with the Parliamentary
group. However, there is a need for political dialogue which goes far
beyond the Bill.
It is true a certain percentage of vegetables are wasted. Instead of
taking measures to minimise this waste, there is no ability to stop this
waste hundred percent. Steps should be taken to promote the use of
plastic crates rather than forcing it through a law. Public opinion
should be created to encourage consumers to purchase vegetables
transported in plastic crates. It is essential to conduct a political
dialogue regarding these issues.
Q: You seem to have reservations on the proposed Private Universities
Act. Can you elaborate?
A: In a letter sent by me to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, I requested
a political dialogue before this proposed Act is presented in
Parliament.
We don’t want to destabilise the Government or incite foreign
enemies. We cannot stand haphazardly like lamp posts without having a
proper dialogue. The conduct of a political dialogue is essential for
the favourable existence of the Government. That is why we have
submitted facts to the President regarding this issue.
Q: You were a JVPer. What is your opinion on the present state of the
JVP which is divided into at least two factions? Can it ever win public
confidence again?
A: I worked for the JVP for 20 years. Since the latter part of 1994,
I was in the JVP politburo till 2008.
I also worked as the Propaganda Secretary of the JVP. According to my
personal analysis there are two spies in the JVP who are handled by
external forces. One spy is on the side of Somawansa Amarasinghe while
the other is in the other JVP faction. When military operations were
going on, the JVP was dragged into a position of not extending its
support to the Government due to the JVP’s breakaway group.
This group brought the JVP into a position to obstruct the winning of
the war and created a mentality in the JVP that it should win over the
LTTE. Because most of the JVP cadres had rallied round this group.
Somawansa Amarasinghe did not accept the fact that we were opposed to
the latter thinking and they were dependent on them. When that faction
attacked us through their magazines, Amarasinghe accepted it.
They also wanted to turn the JVP into a party that will speak about
the Tamil people’s freedom struggle and devolution of power.
They attempted to create a JVP which disagreed with the book titled
“our solutions for the national question” written by JVP founder Rohana
Wijeweera. They could not form a revolutionary JVP and grab power. As a
result, there is a breakway group. Apart from slogans, the faction does
not have any political role.
Therefore one side of the JVP which favours separatism has been
dragged in one direction while the other faction which does not have any
strategic vision remains idle. This is what has happened to the JVP
today. Sometime in the future, there is a possibility that this breakway
group may even contribute towards the attempts made to rebuild the LTTE.
The West also wants to create a situation in Sri Lanka similar to the
Central African Region. They want to create a situation to have street
demonstrations and hurl stones for every issue. Once they build their
strength, this breakway group may enter to fulfil that task, while the
other faction may also to respond.
Q: Many JVPers are now disillusioned with both factions of the JVP.
Do you believe the NFF will be an ideal alternative for these JVP
members?
A: At present most of the JVPers are disappointed with the present
plight of the JVP. Of these two factions some JVPers are on one side
while the others are joining hands with the NFF. This can be seen even
at grass roots level today.
Q: The UNP is facing an internal struggle and divisions. Under such
circumstances can it ever present a serious challenge to the Government?
A: There is no sign even of creating a viable Opposition in the near
future. At present everybody in the UNP want to be leaders by defeating
others. Even a UNP Pradeshiya Sabha member must be thinking that he can
be the UNP Leader. Instead of expressing its opposition against the
Government within the democratic process, this maybe an advantage to
certain forces to express their opposition against the Government in a
different form.
It is evident that UNP leaders have no understanding about this
situation. I don’t think a party like the UNP which has entered into
this kind of struggle will be able to give any political leadership to
the country.
Q: The President in his Budget speech reiterated the importance of a
vibrant Opposition in Parliament as a democratic ideal. Why cannot the
Opposition at least support the Government’s progressive steps?
A: The Opposition should have a strategic vision against the
Government. The Opposition should have their own alternative program. If
the Opposition says the present path adopted by the Government is not
good, what is the alternative program presented by the Opposition? The
present Opposition does not have that kind of vision. They just play the
traditional role by opposing everything.
Our people are politically intelligent. This has been proved. The
lack of a strong Opposition has become an advantage to the Government.
If there is a vibrant Opposition the Government will be cautious over
certain matters. If there is no such challenge, an opportunity is
created for the Government to act without seriously considering some of
those issues.
Q: It is now two years since the conflict ended. What do you think
are the issues the Government should focus on?
A: We have completed the first phase of the second freedom struggle.
That was the defeating of the LTTE. The LTTE was mercenaries formed by
imperialists. Now the second phase of the freedom struggle is before us.
The second phase is to rebuild the nation.
It is a process which should be carried out with the entire
participation of the nation. Such an approach is still lacking.
An extensive dialogue should be conducted in which direction this
country will move forward within the next ten years and the
revolutionary changes which should be made. The contribution of the
nation should be made towards this dialogue by creating a favourable
attitude with the people. |