Govt fulfilled its tasks through PCs - Minister Premajayantha

By Uditha KUMARASINGHE

UPFA General Secretary and Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha said that the UPFA Government dissolved the North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provincial Councils (PCs) before the due dates and called for elections as it is confident of victory. The Minister told the Sunday Observer that both, the Government and the Provincial Councils have launched a number of development works in these three provinces during the past four-and-a half years. In a situation where the Government has through the PCs fulfilled its tasks it entertains no doubts about its victory.

Commenting on the SLMC’s decision to contest the Eastern Province separately, Minister Premajayantha said though the SLMC is contesting as a separate party, the UPFA and the SLMC are working together. The UPFA had a problem regarding the nominations in the Eastern Province, because the number of seats was very limited. It’s 13 in Trincomalee, 14 in Batticaloa and 17 in Ampara district. Of these 13 in Trincomalee, the UPFA had 5 Provincial Councillors and it also had the majority in Ampara and Batticaloa. When the SLMC joined the UPFA, it also had eight Provincial Council members in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara. Consequently it was found to be difficult to accommodate the slot demanded by the SLMC. As a result, the SLMC decided to contest separately following a mutual agreement with the UPFA.

Here are excerpts of the interview:

Q: At a time when the main Opposition is in total disarray, would you expect a landslide victory in the three provinces? What is your election strategy to ensure success?

A: We were in power in all these three Provincial Councils (PCs) - Eastern, North Central and Sabaragamuwa. We dissolved them before the due dates and called for elections.

This means that we are very confident of victory. On the other hand, a number of development works has been implemented by the Government and the PCs in the three provinces during the past four and a half years. Generally at the Provincial Council elections, we look at some kind of survey but here it is all based on the development of the area. So we have done our part as the PCs and we are confident of our victory.

Q: The UPFA wants the youth to take the forefront at the forthcoming election. What is your strategy to garner their support?

A: We have planned many projects. Unemployment is the main issue. According to the statistics, the unemployment ratio is less than six percent compared to some countries in Europe where it is over 25 percent. Even in the United States it is 9 - 10 percent. If we compare with other countries, we are in a far better position.

Following the development drive there are more employment opportunities.

For example, Hardy Technical College at Ampara had produced many technical personnel who had become engineers by now. Hardy institute produced the best people in the field of technology.

We don’t have that standard today. One of the aims of the “Deyata Kirula” program was to upgrade the Hardy institute and provide more opportunities to the youth specially in the Eastern Province to be trained as technicians and engineers.

We need more professionals in this particular field. There is a great demand for technicians and engineers in other countries specially in the Middle East. We wish to provide more opportunities for youth. Apart from that, the main issue was the graduates’ problem. At present the graduates in Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts who had graduated until last year have been appointed trainees and they would be given permanent appointments within the next couple of months.

The other unemployed youth will be absorbed into technical colleges to be trained for future job opportunities.

Q: What made the SLFP to go back on its decision not to allow family members to contest forthcoming PC elections? A list of such candidates appeared in a weekend English newspaper?

A: It was only three instances, two in Kegalle and one in Trincomalee. Apart from them all others were Provincial Council members in the respective PCs. We didn’t say that we would not give nominations to close relatives of politicians. It means that newcomers are not appointed as Provincial Councillors.

That particular newspaper, carried a list which included the names of former Provincial Councillors. In that case, of course, we deprive the rights of those Provincial Councillors to contest again.

It is not so. In the three instances referred to above the SLSP politicians had given letters to the effect that they would not continue in active politics after end of their term.

They had requested the party to allow their relatives, sons to take to politics. The three instances were considered favourably on the strength of their appeals.

We have refused nominations of many candidates because of their relationship with politicians. The newspapers are not spotlighting it. They had in fact come for the interviews but the interview boards had rejected their requests.

We have also taken a decision not to give nominations to politicians who have committed crime and child abuse. We have also decided to remove them from the UPFA and the positions they are holding now. We have issued letters to chairmen and members of Pradeshiya Sabhas who are suspects in crimes. We have also informed respective Returning Officers and the Commissioner of Elections to remove them from their posts.

Q: Allegations of ethnic politics, SLMC’s contesting alone, natural disasters such as drought and insecurity are some of the constraints in the East confronting the PC elections. How would you look at this scenario?

A: Actually, I was in the East on the day of nominations. I started from Ampara and went to Batticaloa and then ended up in Trincomalee. I had passed thousands of acres of paddy lands and it was the harvesting time. The Eastern Province is not affected by the drought, only certain parts of the North Central Province (NCP). I think the Irrigation Department has taken steps to release water to save the cultivation in those particular areas. At present the Eastern Province is very secure and any person can walk or travel at any time without fear.

The Government faced the problem of nominations in the Eastern Province. The number of seats was limited. It is 13 in Trincomalee, 14 in Batticaloa and 17 in Ampara. Of the 13 in Trincomalee, we had five Provincial Councillors and the majority in Ampara and Batticaloa. When the SLMC joined the UPFA, they had eight Provincial Council members in Trincolalee, Batticaloa and Ampara.

The Government was in a very difficult situation to accommodate the slots demanded by the SLMC. As a result as we had mutually agreed upon, the SLMC decided to contest the elections in the Eastern Province separately. Though the SLMC is contesting as a separate party, the UPFA and the SLMC are working together.

Q: There is an allegation that political interference has become a stumbling block to maintain law and order. Would you explain?

A: I don’t see such a phenomenon. In my case, I never interfere with the police. I have never spoken to police stations in my area. It is up to the police to maintain law and order and we never interfere with their work.

Q: Almost all development programs in the provinces are those implemented by the Central Government and the PC’s role appears to be minimal. Is it logical to continue the PC system any more?

A: The A and B Grade roads are generally done by the Highways Ministry while the C and D roads are by the PCs. The Government is providing funds and the equipment to maintain those roads.

The Western Provincial Council has a very good Provincial Road Development Authority and roads are being done by it. Now they are working even in other areas and earn a profit.

Q: The crime wave, specially gruesome murders have become unprecedented. Apart from the conventional methods, can we have a new approach to arrest this menace?

A: During the past 30 years, people continued to live under pressure and you find a large number of deserters. Generally everywhere in the world, after a long successful struggle against a terrorist organisation people have easy access to weapons and there are deserters from the Forces with different mentalities. That is why the Government has launched many new programs such as development projects. Of course, we can arrest this situation as stated by Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Now we are making arrangements to have a Civil Society Committee for each and every village as we did during the humanitarian operation.

During the night, some community groups patrol together with the Police and pass vital information immediately to the law enforcement authorities. Likewise, if we implement this for the next couple of months, I hope we can arrest this situation.

Q: Recently the Police raided some obscene websites which had indulged in character assassination, exposing sexuality and mud-slinging at the Government. Could you enlighten the readership on this?

A: I never go to these websites and only a very limited crowd is watching it. This is a country where we maintain a high literacy rate of 93 percent. A few organisations are handling all these websites and we can tackle it. The police has taken steps to apprehend these people and produce them before the Courts.

Q: Are you hopeful of any cross-overs to the UPFA?

A: I don’t see. At rural level, many Opposition members are crossing over to our side. Now we don’t have any vacancies. There were only one or two occasions where they were not given nominations. They crossed over at the last Local Government elections. So one or two of them may have gone back. But this does not affect our election campaign or our vote base.

Q: What has gone wrong with the Norochcholai and Kerawalapitiya power generation plants with its frequent breakdowns specially at this time of advanced technology?

A: That is not the case, of course. Kerawalapitiya was commissioned two years ago. It is meant for LNG and at present we don’t have that facility. Therefore, it is running with a low sulphur furnace. Generally they have a combined cycle. 200 MWs are generated by oil and then the remainder with the heat and steam, generating about 100 MW.

That is why we say combined cycle. Earlier they had some mechanical defects which were later rectified. Still they are repairing the latter part which generates 100 MW from the steam section. According to them, they will complete it within the next 24 hours and add full 300 MW to the system. Power and Energy Minister Champika Ranawaka said on Wednesday that he personally inspected both places.

Norochcholai was operated continuously from February up to date because of the drought. Norochcholai took the base load by generating 300 MW. Even in brand new cars you find some defects. Those are technical things. Now they are repairing it and complete it probably within the next few hours and restore electricity supply.

Q: For some people politics is an ugly game with its uncertainties and setbacks while it is a good ground for others to flourish. How have you fared in politics? Is it encouraging to continue any more?

A: Politics change from time to time and from era to era. The 1930s, 1940s, 1950s eras were followed by the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. A new political culture was created after 1980s. If you look at the post independence 50 years you find a completely different political culture today. Therefore, we have to adjust to this situation now.

For example, until the defeat of terrorism in 2009, the country’s number one issue was the war against terrorism. Now most people have forgotten that era. Those days people were even afraid of coming to Colombo or go to a town. Now they have the freedom to do so.

Therefore, they have forgotten the past. That is the nature. If one analyses news, fabrications or targetted propaganda, one could definitely find that they have some hidden agenda. Not only that there are some forces operating behind them. Now they criticise the Government, sometimes with or without facts.

They try to tarnish the image of the Government. By doing so, they try to revive certain elements. Unfortunately during the past 15 to 20 years, the people specially the youth of this country had no idea of those who attempted to grab power.

This is the real situation. Therefore, anybody can easily criticise. The fact remains that this is a challenging task in the present scenario.