Govt has fulfilled its obligations - Deputy Minister Lakshman
Yapa Abeywardena
By Uditha KUMARASINGHE
Deputy Economic Development Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said
the Government acts with confidence and can face a snap election. It
does not have any election fear. The Deputy Minister in an interview
with the Sunday Observer said the government has during the past few
years fulfilled its obligations and was ready to face any election. The
Government won all the recently concluded elections with an overwhelming
majority. It is obvious when a Government completes a few years in
office, there are fears to face elections. On the other hand, there is a
contention that popularity of the incumbent government wanes. However,
the present UPFA Government not faced with such a situation. The people
have placed their confidence with the government.
The Deputy Minister said at present President Mahinda Rajapaksa and
the Government faced no challenge from the Opposition. In a situation
where the Opposition fielded a common candidate at the last Presidential
Election, the President faced the election and won with an overwhelming
majority.
He said if the TNA makes their representation at the PSC, it would
help to give a strong signal to the international community and India as
well. The position taken by the TNA at the PSC would be important. The
UPFA and the UNP have confirmed their participation. The JVP would be
restricted to a small margin. This would corner the JVP and they will
have to take a decision regarding their position as well. Sometimes the
JVP may not turn up due to political reasons.
They should make their representation to the PSC.
Q: Is the Government gearing up for a snap General Election? How
confident is the Government about its popularity at this time?
A: The Government during the past few years has fulfilled its
obligations and acted in a manner to face any snap election. The
Government could won all the recently concluded elections with an
overwhelming majority. It is obvious when a Government completes a
certain number of years in office, it has some sort of fear to face
elections. There is a contention that the popularity of an incumbent
government wanes.
However, the present Government has not faced any such situation and
the people have placed their confidence with the Government. The
Government acts with a confidence to face a snap election and it does
not have any fear of election.
Q: Do you think the UNP and JVP are divided into several factions and
can pose a challenge to Government the at provincial or national polls?
A: The Government does not have any challenge at all. The
Presidential Election was the key election in Sri Lanka. In a situation
where the entire Opposition fielded a common candidate at the last
Presidential Election held in 2010, President Mahinda Rajapaksa
successfully faced the election and won with an overwhelming majority.
The Presidential Election was the challenge faced by the Government.
Because the Opposition nominated former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka as
their common candidate for the Presidential Election. The UNP, JVP and
all other opposition forces rallied under one banner to ensure his
victory. If all the Opposition forces joined hands and could not pose
any challenge to President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and he achieved a
resounding victory at the Presidential Election, today he has no
challenge whatsoever from the Opposition. The second challenge faced by
the Government was the 2010 General Election. However, the UPFA
Government consolidated its power at that Election.
That election was held an atmosphere where the Government had brought
its development drive to a good position at village level. A significant
change has been made in the path of the country’s development, while the
day-to-day activities of the people have turned to normalcy due to moves
taken by the Government to restore peace. Under these circumstances, the
Opposition is not challenge. Even after a lapse of some years, the
Government does not fear an election as well.
Q: Have all constituent parties of the UPFA forwarded their views on
the LLRC recommendations?
A: The Opposition without elaborating its stand on the LLRC report
urges the implementation of its recommendations with immediate effect.
The Opposition has not made any analysis on the facts contained in the
LLRC report. We have taken initiatives to implement several
recommendations in the LLRC report. But it will take some time to
implement some of its recommendations.
The Government will also implement even those recommendations at the
appropriate time. The Opposition should explain what recommendations can
be implemented immediately and recommendations which can be implemented
later. They should explain their position about the recommendations
which should be subjected to changes and implemented with participation
of the Opposition. The Opposition has not extended its support to such a
move. The constituent parties of the UPFA have not yet forwarded their
views on the LLRC recommendations in writing. But discussions are going
on with constituent parties.
Q: What is the progress with regard to the Parliamentary Select
Committee (PSC)?
A:At present the UNP has said that they would participate in the PSC.
As the main Opposition, the participation of the UNP is important. The
JVP has refused to come to the PSC.
The TNA is scheduled to make an announcement regarding their
position. As a whole, I see the TNA’s participation as the most
important factor. The views of the JVP is also important. If the TNA
comes to the PSC, it would help to give a strong signal to the
international community and India. Because Sinhala political parties are
already in the PSC. When the PSC is represented by the UPFA and the UNP,
they have over 90 percent of power. Both these main parties have
confirmed their participation. The position taken by the TNA on the PSC
would be important. If the TNA comes to the PSC, this means it is
represented by 99.9 percent political parties. In this situation, the
JVP would be restricted to a small margin.
This would compel the JVP to take a decision regarding their position
as well. Sometimes the JVP may not come to the PSC due to political
reasons. But if they think in a justifiable manner, they should make
their representation to the PSC.
Q: Is there any Cabinet reshuffle in the offing? Are more Deputy
Ministers going to be appointed?
A: At any time, President can appoint or change Ministers and make
changes to the Cabinet. It is a decision which is taken by the President
according to powers vested in him by the Constitution. I can’t make any
comment whether a Cabinet reshuffle is imminent.
Q: The President visited several high profile countries recently. Can
you outline some of the benefits gained by the country as a result?
A: The country has been able to gain a lot of investment owing to
these official visits made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to several
high profile countries. So many investors have shown keen interest to
invest in Sri Lanka. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has focused attention
to strengthen bilateral ties with all countries. He has laid emphasis on
Asia, China and also India and Pakistan as well. Some of the Western
forces attempt to interfere into our internal affairs to suppress and
impose their will in other countries. However, the President has
strengthened bilateral ties with all countries in the South Asian
region, Middle East and European countries.
Q: There is a perception that the Government is implementing the LLRC
recommendations due to external pressure. Is there any truth in this?
A: There is no truth in this. The most difficult time faced by the
Government was 2008 and the early part of 2009. At that time, the war
against terrorists had reached a critical juncture and the Government
had to undergo financial hardship. An economic recession had arisen in
Europe while pressure was exerted by the West against Government.
After we won the war against the most dangerous terrorist outfit in
the world, the Government will not bow to external pressure. As pledged
in the “Mahinda Chintana policy”, the Government believes a homegrown
solution to this problem and has no intention for any other solution.
The Government maintains that a homegrown solution is suitable to the
country should be found through consensus. The Government has no need to
implement LLRC recommendations due to external pressure.
Q: Was the release of Sarath Fonseka due to any foreign pressure?
A: It was President Mahinda Rajapaksa who brought Sarath Fonseka into
that position. Various sections were opposed to appointing Fonseka as
The Army Commander. But the President had vested powers to Defence
Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa to make recommendations to appoint top
military brass when the military operations were going on against
terrorists. It was the Defence Secretary who recommended to appoint
Fonseka as Army Commander.
The President appointed Fonseka as Army Commander based on the
recommendation made by the Defence Secretary. If Sarath Fonseka was not
appointed as the Army Commander, the war would have not been stopped.
The decisions regarding the ongoing military operations are taken by the
political leadership and those decisions were implemented by the
Security Forces.
Under President J.R. Jayewardene, the then Defence Minister Lalith
Athulathmudali had given good leadership to conduct the war against the
LTTE. As a result LTTE leader Prabhakaran was at the grip of being
caught at Vadamarachchi.
The Govenment succumbed to Indian pressure and withdrew. Everybody is
well aware about this situation. If the political leadership decided to
halt the war however powerful the Army Commander’s will have to withdraw
his forces. Sarath Fonseka became a war hero due to the political
decisions taken by the President to finish off the war. We appreciate
that Sarath Fonseka has rendered a service to the Army.
But he could not reach that position without a political backing. It
was the President who gave him that backing and took the decision to end
the war against terrorists. Earlier four Presidents ruled this country.
But they couldn’t do due to external interference they could not
eradicate terrorism and from time to time had Ceasefire Agreements
signed. President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Government did not hold any
ceasefire with the LTTE because of the political decision taken by the
President.
Sarath Fonseka was imprisoned based on several issues pertaining to
the white flag incident, criticising the Security Forces and using Army
deserters for political activities. These charges were investigated by a
war tribunal and Fonseka was imprisoned and found guilty to some of
these charges.
His case went on for about two and a half years and he was in jail
during that period. However, the President decided to give him a pardon
under the powers vested in him by the Constitution. The President signed
the document to release Fonseka on May 18, a day prior to commemorating
war heroes and the day on which LTTE leader Prabhakaran was killed. This
does not mean Fonseka was released as he was not found guilty to any of
these charges, he was released under Presidential powers. All the cases
filed against Fonseka were withdrawn and he was released from all those
charges.
When he was released, he had filed a case in court and it had to be
heard. Following an agreement, he withdrew this case and was released.
The decision taken by the President to release Sarath Fonseka was a good
move. This is a decision taken by the President based on sympathetic
grounds without keeping any hatred. So there is no question about
releasing him.
Q: What are the Government’s plans to bring the North and the South
together and achieving reconciliation between the main communities?
A: Development was the main thing expected by the people. At present
a massive development drive has been launched in the Northern and
Eastern provinces. The second important aspect is political power.
At present nearly two third of political power has been given to
Pradeshiya Sabhas and Provincial Councils. The Government also conducts
resettlement activities. This issue has originated due to the language
problem.
At present the Government’s language policy of teaching Sinhala and
Tamil languages is being successfully conducted. The LLRC report has not
made any reference on the devolution of power within a separate State.
It has only recommended to devolve power at grass roots level. It has
already been at Pradeshiya Sabha level.
The Government has proposed a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to
obtain views of all political parties to create the necessary
environment for reconciliation. If a consensus is reached at the PSC,
the Government would be able to implement these proposals. At present
the Government has entered into this process.
Q: The Government has gained a favourable response to resettle IDPs
and rehabilitate ex-LTTE combatants. The TNA has praised the excellent
role played by the Army in this regard. Do you think this could be used
as an example to other countries which have problems with displaced
people, rebels and who are looking forward to integrate such people into
their societies?
A: Some Western countries which exert pressure should be aware about
the ground situation of countries which face a war situation. We can’t
say these Western countries behave in this manner and are unaware about
the true situation in those countries.
Over four million people in Palestine have become refugees and they
have not been resettled. Even journalists can’t report. Basic human
rights of these people have been gravely violated.
A lot of deaths of innocent civilians are also reported from these
countries. Some people have died from starvation. When the situation of
some of these conflict affected countries is compared the situation
which prevails in the North can be described as unique, the Government
is in the process of providing required facilities to the people in the
North.
Our Security Forces treat the people in the North with humanity
aspect. Most of the refugee camps in the North have been removed and
there are only about 2500 to 3000 IDPs in the North.
Q: What are your comments on the Government’s Trilingual Sri Lanka
Program and what is its role in the process of reconciliation?
A: This is an important initiative taken for reconciliation. I think
an environment can be created within this framework for reconciliation
among all communities. But this should be implemented properly as soon
as possible.
Q: One of the most significant books on humanitarian operation was
“Gota’s War” launched recently. Why do you think that this book is a
historical document with regard to the humanitarian operation?
A: When we read this book written by C.A. Chandraprema, we realise
the decisions taken and the dedication made by Defence Secretary
Gotabaya Rajapaksa to win the war against terrorists. Earlier the war
was abandoned. The book has analysed how our Security Forces acted
during that period and the leadership given to them by the Defence
Secretary to boost their morale. The significant feature of our
humanitarian operation was that the Security Forces were not given
instructions to harm innocent Tamil civilians and then end the war.
Defence Secretary always gave instructions to the Security Forces to
conduct the war in a manner innocent civilians would not suffer. The
book has also explained being a former military person, how the Defence
Secretary balanced the three Armed Forces and also maintained a close
rapport with the President by ensuring discipline among the Security
Forces. The book narrates how the Defence Secretary reached his ultimate
goal by winning the war against terrorists. This book can be described
as a historical document.
Because no former Defence Secretary worked closely with any former
Presidents or they were not able to give leadership to the three Armed
Forces by creating a cordial relationship among them. This is the
difference between the present Defence Secretary and all former Defence
Secretaries. Most of the former Defence Secretaries did not have
military experience.
The Defence Secretary with his military expertise and being the
brothe of the President used his powers to create a close co-ordination
with the three Armed Forces and boosted their morale.
He respected to those who should be respected in the three Armed
Forces and placed competent people in key positions. It was the Defence
Secretary who insisted to appoint Sarath Fonseka as Army Commander. That
is how he handled the three Armed Forces to win the war. His prime
target was to rescue the country from the clutches of terrorism.
As the Defence Secretary, he maintained discipline within the three
Armed Forces. Therefore I see the Defence Secretary as a distinguished
personality who has fulfilled his duty on behalf of his motherland. |