Sri Lanka, ideal forum for CHOGM – Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva

By Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the Government which successfully conducted the 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference proved to the entire world that Sri Lanka has the capacity to hold a conference of that magnitude. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said that the CPA conference has become the springboard to host the CHOGM in Sri Lanka next year. Therefore, nobody can say that Sri Lanka is not in a position security-wise or organizational-wise to host such a high profile conference. Had the delegates entertained any doubts earlier about having the CHOGM here, the Commonwealth Secretary General and other officials would not have gone back with the idea that Sri Lanka was the best venue to hold the CHOGM.

The Minister said that the delegates who participated in the CPA conference were very much impressed with the development activities, and the rehabilitation process. Parliamentarians from 54 Commonwealth countries gained the opportunity to see for themselves the development activities, the ground situation and the vibrant democracy practised in the country. The Government defeated the false propaganda campaign that had been launched by the pro-LTTE diaspora and several anti-Governmental organizations. I am sure when these delegates go back to their countries, they will certainly change their perceptions. Summed up, the CPA conference was a great success that brought considerable dividends to Sri Lanka. It has helped project the country’s image very much.

Commenting on President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Sanchi, the Minister said the President was keen on going to Sanchi and hence he went. There may be some radical elements here and there and because of such radical elements, we can’t postpone our international relations or goodwill with Governments or delay our day-to-day activities. We should have the courage to face challenges and ensure that we do the right thing. It is high time to realise though the LTTE has been defeated in Sri Lanka, still its remnants are at work on different agendas.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: Could you elaborate on the benefits gained by Sri Lanka from the recent 58th Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) conference?

A: We proved to the whole world that Sri Lanka has the capacity to hold a conference of this magnitude. After 30 years of war against terrorists, Sri Lanka has embarked upon a path of development. It is very important to impress the world that our infrastructure, hotels and conference facilities have been developed to such an extent that we could accommodate even more than one thousand delegates for a conference.

Actually to hold an international conference of this nature, we need to have plenty of professional inputs. Everybody was happy with the arrangements made to hold the CPA conference. The delegates had a very good impression about our airport. They were taken to the hotels without any delay and they appreciated our hotel facilities. The delegations were really impressed with the cultural items we had presented.

Therefore, as I said earlier, our capacity to host such an international conference has been highlighted as a result of conducting the CPA conference successfully. The other benefit is that Parliamentarians of 54 Commonwealth countries gained the opportunity to see for themselves, the development activities, ground situation as well as the vibrant democracy practised in our country. For example, when the issue of appointing a Human Rights Commissioner for the Commonwealth was discussed there were divergent views expressed by the Government and the Opposition. That itself showed the amount of freedom we have in this country. It is not a ‘guided democracy’ as in many other countries. The elected representatives are free to talk and free to move about.

Our Opposition Parliamentarians also interacted very closely with their foreign counterparts and they did not represent the same views as expressed by the Government. They, of course expressed different views and opinions. I am sure the delegates would have seen how Sri Lankan newspapers and media criticised the Government, President and Ministers.

They would have seen for themselves the amount of press freedom available in this country. If they had switched on from one electronic media to another, they could have seen how harshly certain electronic media criticised the President and the Government.

The delegates not only saw the scenic beauty, but also the ground reality in the country, its democratic practices, freedom of speech, freedom of press and freedom to criticise.

The delegates also visited our Parliament and they were very much impressed with it. They were keen to study our parliamentary system. They raised many questions to ascertain how the Government and the Opposition were working together, our Standing Orders and the rules and procedures of Parliament. We have given priority for democracy. I am sure they would have realized that we are a cultured nation, since we had presented many cultural pageants, music and dance items for them.

That showed the mixed culture that we have in Sri Lanka and how we respect Buddhist, Tamil and Muslim cultures. The delegates had a better understanding of our country.

Q: Many Commonwealth delegates who visited Jaffna and Kilinochchi had commended the current development and reconciliation process. What is its impact on international human rights lobbyists?

A: I am sure when the delegates go back to their countries, they will apprise their Governments, their opinion makers and the NGOs that their perceptions are wrong. What they had observed here will help us to canvass our point of view and at the same time this is the best answer to the false propaganda carried out in many countries.

Most of the delegates who visited Jaffna told me that they were hoping to see soldiers in every nook and corner in the North. That was the type of propaganda the pro-LTTE diaspora and some of the NGOs had spread all over the world.

However, the delegates said there were no soldiers to be seen as alleged. They had seen the people moving about freely. They also did interact with Jaffna Government Agent and all other Government officials. They were impressed with the development activities and the rehabilitation process in progress. We defeated false propaganda campaigns launched by the pro-LTTE diaspora and certain anti-Governmental organizations. The CPA conference was a great success that brought considerable dividends to Sri Lanka. I am sure when the delegates go back to their countries, they will change some of their earlier perceptions.

Q: CHOGM will perhaps be the much-awaited forum to project Sri Lanka as a country struggling to protect democracy against terrorists and conspirators. Would you like to substantiate this?

A:Another benefit of the CPA conference is that it has served as a springboard to host the CHOGM in Sri Lanka next year. So nobody can say that Sri Lanka is not in a position security-wise or organizational-wise to host such an event.

The way how we have defeated terrorism is another good example. It was also discussed in our deliberations under the topic of “Terrorism-the threat to democracy, peace and security”. I am sure the delegates would have gone back convinced of the approach of Sri Lanka and its President in defeating terrorism. So I think they will follow this example and not compromise terror. That was the lesson which they can learn from Sri Lanka.

Q: Was it not President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s personal charisma that surpassed all sorts of differences and allegations and ensured victory at the recent Provincial Council elections?

A: Yes, of course. The people reposed faith in the President, specially when the international forces tried to destabilize the Government in interfering in internal matters. The people however, thought that the best answer they could give to them is to show their solidarity with the Government and the President. This was one of the key reasons which enabled the Government to ensure the resounding victory at PC polls.

The Government has also embarked upon a large number of rural development projects. We have fulfilled the pledges made to the people. In addition, the unemployment and inflation rates have come down while the paddy prices have increased.

The Paddy Marketing Board had allocated Rs. 2,000 million to purchase paddy, but they could buy only Rs. 200 million worth of paddy, since the farmers had sold the paddy at higher prices to the private sector. This shows despite the drought, the farmers are happy and the Government’s policy has been proved correct and humane.

Q:What will be the criteria in the appointment of Chief Ministers to North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provincial Councils when preferential votes, seniority and competence appear to be inadequate?

A:It is a matter for the Party to decide. A Special Board will take into consideration the merits. At the same time, we have to maintain the unity of the party and ensure that there must be a smooth administration in the Provincial Councils.

That is why we had a very wide range of discussions with the elected members and all stake-holders to arrive at a suitable decision. There is however, no ready-made formulae.

Q:The UNP argues that despite the Government’s victory at the PC elections, the number of UPFA votes polled is less. How valid is this argument?

A: I think there is no validity at all in that argument. The number of voters has increased. I think the figures speak for themselves where the Opposition votes have come down. For example, the UNP’s vote base has been shattered in the Eastern Province, and specially Batticaloa. So that argument is not correct.

Q:The JVP despite its political rhetoric has been swept out and the UNP’s votes drastically reduced at PC elections. Is it due to their political bankruptcy or UPFA’s manoeuvres?

A:No, there is no manoeuvring as such. The people have placed no trust or confidence in those parties. The UNP and the JVP have been divided because of the leadership problem. The people know that they can never come to power in this country. At the moment, they are fighting each other so that they are not in a position to win the confidence of the people.

In order to come to power, a political party must win the confidence of the people. The UNP and the JVP have failed to win the confidence of the people. For example, the JVP has been divided into two factions and they are slinging mud at each other. The UNP is also in the same position. So their voters and supporters are confused. Naturally they would prefer to support a party which can deliver the goods and also address the aspirations of the voters. That is what has really happened.

Q:What is left with the Government to solve the university dons’ strike when all avenues has failed?

A: Still avenues are open. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa holds discussions with FUTA representatives. The university dons were very stubborn at the negotiations. As time goes on, they will have to adopt a realistic position.

The Government believes that this should be settled through negotiations and discussions. That is the path we have selected. I am sure there is a political hand behind their strike when we look at the stubbornness of university lecturers and their trade unions. They must be more flexible and their demand cannot be implemented practically.

Q:Trade balance with India and China is not always in Sri Lanka’s favour. What could be done to boost our exports to two countries?

A: No, it can never be. Let us be practical. We are not manufacturing all what China and India want but they are manufacturing many things which we want. For example, we need lot of cement, which is available in China and India. We don’t produce enough food and grow onions or dhal. So we have to buy it from India.

Those are two giant economies having industries ranging from pins to aircrafts. So you can’t compare that with Sri Lanka. Naturally there will be a big gap. We must try to ensure that this gap is reduced. By gradual process, we have to reach the target.

Q:What will be the benefits accruing to Sri Lanka from the recently concluded agreements with the Chinese National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo?

A:Following the agreements signed with the National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chairman Wu Bangguo, China has pledged us assistance. I am sure to most of the sectors such as agriculture, industries, airport and port, they will siphon funds by way of grants and concessionary loans. That will help ensure rapid development of Sri Lanka.

Q:In the teeth of LTTE protests in South India, President Mahinda Rajapaksa dared to visit Sanchi. How do you analyse this situation?

A: The President was keen on going to Sanchi and he hence. There may be certain radical elements here and there, and because of such radical elements, we can’t postpone our international relations or goodwill with the Governments or our day-to-day activities. We should have the courage to face such challenges and ensure that we do the right thing.

It is high time for us to realise though the LTTE has been defeated in Sri Lanka, still its remnants are at work with different agendas.