UPFA to enforce discipline among PC candidates - Deputy Speaker

By Uditha KUMARASINGHE

He waxed eloquent in the Official Bar in presenting his cases for the prosecution for sometime. Later it was an entirely different role he was called upon to perform as the State Mortgage and Investment Bank Chairman. Today as Deputy Speaker of Parliament he has to maintain the dignity and decorum of the House and its Members. The Sunday Observer interviewed Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody on the current political situation and related matters.

The Deputy Speaker said that UPFA’s decision to cancel the party membership of local level politicians who are guilty of crimes and rape was timely. Those aspiring to enter politics in future should know how best they should conduct themselves.

At present, the people talk about the deteriorating standards of politicians. As a result, the educated youth who are keen to contribute to the development of the country are reluctant to take to politics. The decision by the UPFA would not only ensure the discipline of those who already engaged in politics but also of future aspirants.

He said very often people in many countries agitate against the authorities for not holding election regularly, specially when the very same party is in power for over decades and attempts to retain power without holding elections. In Sri Lanka, the Government is keen on having elections even before the end of the term in North Central, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Provincial Councils. The Deputy Speaker said that this is a unique situation since no ruling party in any other country would want to hold elections before they complete their full term.

The Opposition parties anywhere in the world would not expect elections to be held before the due date. Here it is unfortunate that the Opposition rejected the opportunity they got to test the public will.

He said it is up to the Elections Department to propose amendments to the existing election law. If attempts are made to introduce laws that are not practical, it would be breached at any moment.

It should be seriously considered as to how the present promotional campaigns can be changed. Every candidate should be given equal opportunity to market and promote himself. That would enable the voters to elect the best candidates. It is not the done thing to engage in violence and distribute various things to influence the people during election campaigns. It’s similar to an attempt to buy over the people. The vote is invaluable and it should be protected. In our country sometimes a voter can be bought even for two kilograms of rice in certain areas. This practice must be stopped. Again it is up to the voters to put an end to such malpractices.

Here are excerpts of the interview:

Q: What is the aim of having Provincial Council (PC) elections in Sabaragamuwa, North Central and Eastern provinces long before their term ends?

A:Very often the complaint of the public, the voters in many countries is that elections are not held regularly, specially when the very same party is in power for over decades, and attemps to retain power without holding elections. But in this country, the Government is keen on having elections even before the due date. I would say this is a unique situation. No ruling party in any other country would want to hold elections before it completes the full term.

At the same time, the Opposition parties would expect elections at any time before the term of the Government in power ends. Here it’s unfortunate that the Opposition in our party rejects the opportunity given to them to test the public will. I don’t know why the Opposition is protesting against holding PC elections.

There are only a few more months for these three PCs to go. Probably the Opposition is convinced that they will loose their seats at the forthcoming elections. When you compare the results of the previous PCs with those of the dissolved PCs, the UNP’s and JVP’s numbers have dropped. The JVP and the UNP’s numbers will drop further.

Q: How is the UPFA campaign progressing in all three provinces. Any special campaigning in the Eastern Province, where the SLMC is contesting alone as a separate party?

A: I don’t think we need a special campaign as such. Because from the day we were elected, we have been with the people and have catered to their expectations. So we are fulfilling the aspirations of the people. Therefore we don’t need a special campaign as such. They know the direction the Government has been taking especially after President Mahinda Rajapaksa was elected President. They have witnessed the marked difference in the present UPFA Government when compared to any previous Governments in office. We are a people’s regime specially since 2005.

Q: Many critics say the Government is wary of holding islandwide PC elections on the same day and that is why staggered elections are being held. Your comments?

A: In fact this would benefit a weaker party like the UNP and the JVP in the Opposition, because the Government always has the requisite numbers. It is an opportunity for the Opposition to muster their forces in three provinces to win at least one PC. We came to power in 1994, because of the opportunity given to us by the UNP the same way. They held the Southern PC elections as an isolated event and we could muster all forces in the South to secure victory. We laid the foundation in the South for our victory in 1994. So the Opposition must be happy about the manner the elections are held.

Q: Many say that Provincial Councils and PC polls are only a waste of money. What is your opinion?

A: There can be various opinions and perspectives. PCs were introduced via an amendment to the Constitution in 1987. So long as our constitution survives, we have to hold elections and maintain the PCs. The recommendations of the LLRC-the much-talked document in Sri Lanka are about the future governance and reforms.

The LLRC, had proposed devolution. I don’t see any reason behind such thinking. Of course, we should cut down unnecessary expenditure. The budgets of the PCs should be streamlined while financial discipline enforced.

Guidelines followed by the Central Government in allocating funds should be introduced to most of the PCs. In certain PCs, money is wasted on personal grants and on various ceremonies. Besides, the devolution to some extent, this is the direction on which the world is moving now.

Q: Will the Opposition be able to mount a serious challenge to the Government at September 8 PC polls?

A: As you see the main Opposition UNP is having lots of internal disputes. The decision taken by the UNP Leader on Wednesday, and its Executive Committee were challenged at the Colombo District Court. So they have so many internal battles to fight. We have not seen the Opposition Leader holding massive public rallies to campaign for victory.

People of all political hues are joining the SLFP and the UPFA daily. It shows that the people have accepted the President’s vision of “ Mahinda Chintana way forward” and they are lining up towards the victory of the Government.

Q: How can we end the culture of violence during elections? Will the new election system be an answer?

A: It is now up to the voters. The voters should put an end to such culture. This is the opportunity granted to the voters. In any party, there is an additional list and all the names that are put forward cannot get elected from both sides.

So each voter can vote for a maximum of three candidates. So they can check on each candidate and decide on the best. It is up to the voters now to take that decision. It is the voter who should elect the candidates who are more responsible, non-violent and not corrupt and capable enough to ensure the development of the area.

Q: Is there are a possibility of several prominent UNP members coming over to the Government on the eve of polls?

A: There is always that possibility. In the present Parliament, of the 161 Government members, a considerable number has started their political career from the UNP. Most of the UNP front-liners are now with the Government. That is why the public believed that strongly labelled UNP or JVP members would join the Government. If you take my district, there is only one member elected to Parliament from the UNP. Only a certain number of candidates can get elected under the present Proportional Representation system. That is why at least even one UNP MP has been elected to Parliament from Galle district. If the elections were held under the previous First Past the Post System , the entire Parliament will be on UPFA Government, because any member sitting with the Government can get elected easily. I don’t think there is anyone other than the Leader of the Opposition will want to remain with the UNP. If you really ask other UNPers and if they talk to their conscience, they will want to join the Government.

Q: Do you think the UPFA’s decision to remove local level politicians guilty of crime and rape will set an example to politicos from all parties? How important is the discipline to politicians and parties?

A: I would say it is a very important decision because we have been elected by the people to represent them in various legislative bodies. So we are watched by the people who voted for us. We have to be more responsible in fulfilling our duties.

I believe the removal of local level politicians who are guilty of crime and rape is a timely decision by the UPFA. Those who would enter politics in future will know how best they should conduct themselves as politicians. We hear the people talking about the deterioration of the standard of politicians. As a result, lots of young educated people who are keen to contribute to the development of the country are reluctant to enter politics. This will not only ensure discipline of those who are engaged in politics but will also influence those who want to venture into politics. It would be beneficial to the country.

Q: Some Provincial Councillors, Pradeshiya Sabha members and Parliamentarians don’t take their role seriously and hardly come for sittings. What should be done to remedy this situation?

A: The best remedy is with the voters at the elections. As a political party, we know, the Government members are very often reminded or informed of the sittings.

Thanks to the latest technology, prior to the sitting day, we get not only a letter by post but also reminded by SMS. As far as the political party leader are concerned, they are doing their best to ensure that their members are present. If they are not concerned about their responsibility,they will learn a lesson at the end of their term.

Q: What is the progress of D.E.W. Gunasekera committee on introducing a code of ethics for Parliamentarians?

A: According to my knowledge, the committee has heard many persons who are interested in contributing to it. The committee will formulate their proposals very soon and submit them to the Speaker.

Q: JVP’s protest march to Jaffna, UPFA Parliamentarians’ involvement in social vices, plight of the drought-hit peasantry and other scandals such as contaminated oil have an impact on the Government. How do you look at this scenario?

A: In every Government there could be drawbacks. Unfortunately the UNP and the Opposition parties are attempting to pick up such occasional and temporary drawbacks. Drought is something which can be expected at any moment anywhere in the world. This is not the first time a drought has occurred in this country. Sri Lanka is not the only country where there had been droughts in the past.

There can be a drought today and floods tomorrow, because these are natural calamities. Whatever Government is in power has to face these natural calamities. But still the Government can successfully move forward. If the Opposition thinks they can convince the people of the impact of a drought, it shows their political bankruptcy. However, the majority of the country’s people cannot be misled by such false propaganda.

If we talk about the oil issue, there can be loopholes in any system. It is obvious some frauds may take place within any system. We have to see what has gone wrong. Petroleum Industries Minister Susil Premajayantha has called an audit investigation of the contaminated oil issue. The entire Board of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has been removed.

Action will be taken against those who have acted negligently or fraudulently. Actually that is what the Government can do. We don’t have hundred percent perfect systems. Occasionally such incidents may take place. But such isolated incidents cannot change the opinion of the majority of Sri Lankans, because they are aware that the country is moving towards the right direction. The Government has a target and it has shown its results under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The Government is progressing well and will realise its ultimate objectives. Therefore, things are very positive in the country. Some haphazard or isolated incidents will not jeopardize the Government’s popularity or its forward march. I think we should not waste out time talking about the JVP because they have been completely rejected by the people.

We can clearly see the results at the forthcoming three PC elections. Not a single JVP member will get elected. Earlier six JVP Provincial Councillors were in the Southern Provincial Council. It came down to one at the subsequent PC elections. Before the 2010 General Election, there were three JVP Parliamentarians elected from the Galle district. At present this has dropped to one. The JVP is almost diminished. So its only a waste of time to talk about the JVP.

Q: As an Attorney-at-Law, how do you look at the rising tide of crimes, specially murder and rape. What are your recommendations to contain this social menace?

A: The control of crimes cannot be done by introducing strict laws. First of all, we have to educate the people as to what a crime is? They should be educated on law from pre-school. Then only the people will understand that the law is above everything. We must convince the people that law is above all of us and everyone is equal before it.

The media has also a vital role to play in curbing the present wave of crimes. If the media reports about a crime in a manner to project the criminal as a hero or twist it as an adventure, the vulnerable youth, may get attracted to it.

Therefore the media has a very important role to play when reporting such crimes. I believe the media should not create an image of the criminal hated by the society. Very often the film industry creates heroes out of criminals. The children who don’t get proper parental attention can be misled by it.

Proper and constant parental attention is vital. I believe that is the most important aspect in curbing crimes. There is also an important role to be played by the temples and other religious institutions.

They have to set an example. The schools should also set an example. The elders are also responsible. The Government alone will not be able to achieve the expectations of “Mahinda Chintana” Way Forward. If you read “Mahinda Chintana” Way Forward, it underscores not only physical development.

The Government is committed to safeguard cultural and moral values and enhance spiritual values among the children. However, it would be difficult to realise these goals without the positive and effective contribution of the parents, teachers and elders. Stringent laws alone cannot curtail the wave of crimes.

Q: There are allegations that the election law is repeatedly violated. Would you like to comment on this?

A: As a politician I must say there are certain laws that are not practical. I have been elected in an election. But I have never been involved in any crimes and there is not even a single complaint against me on the violation of election law. Under the current electoral system, you need publicity. Pasting posters is the cheapest way of getting publicity in this country.

If we want to refrain from pasting posters, then we have to advertise through the television or the radio. But who will bear the cost? So we have to be practical. Canvassing is the other thing. How can you simply visit each and every house in a district? If it was under the previous First Past the Post System, you can confine to a particular electorate.

That would have been fine. It is not possible under the present PR system. So it is up to the Elections Department to propose amendments to election law. If you try to follow things that are not practical, laws will be breached at any moment. No one will contest to loose but everyone wants to win.

I believe it not acceptable to resort to violence or distribute various things to influence the people during an election campaign.

It’s an attempt to buy over the people and give a value to a vote. The vote is invaluable. It should be protected. Here what happen is in certain areas, a vote can be bought for two kilograms of rice.

That practice must be stopped. Again it is up to the people to decide. If there is violence, strict action should be taken. We have to think seriously as to how the promotional campaigns can be changed. Every candidate should be given an equal opportunity to market and promote himself. That would enable the voters to elect the best possible candidates who fit the job.

Q: You had a colourful career as an Attorney-at-Law, State Mortgage and Investment Bank Chairman and now the Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Would you like to narrate any unforgettable events at the three stations?

A: There are so many. As politicians, we have to expect fame today and its opposite tomorrow. One day you may be popular and the following day you may become extremely unpopular. You have to be seasoned enough to face any circumstances. At the same time, you have to see that you have done the correct thing according to your conscience.

What I will not forget in my life is my career at the Attorney General’s Department and how I was trained to do the correct thing by my seniors.

I learnt a very good lesson there. As a private practitioner, I have done my best to protect my clients’ rights and the prestige of my profession. Even as the SMIB Chairman, I believe I have done the best that I could do. Even here as the Deputy Speaker, I hope I would be able to deliver my best while keeping my conscience clear. That is all what will remain with us the day we retire or the day we are not among the living.