Support for terrorism is counter-productive – Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

An idealist in his own way, he has carefully tiptoed the minefield of politics having avoided the extremes. Petroleum Industries Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa in his amiable approach to problems has won the heart of even his rivals in politics. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said while sympathising with the victims of the Boston bomb explosion, he would like to tell America that terrorism has to be checked militarily as there is no other means of eradicating it. Terrorism is always associated with violence regardless of the country, capacity and the ambition. Its sole aim is to cause widespread violence.

The Minister said Sri Lanka had to face the threat of terrorism for nearly 25 years. A large number of civilians not only in Sinhala areas but also in Tamil-dominated areas was severely affected due to LTTE terrorism. Those days we merely sympathised with those who lost their lives or injured. We have put an end to terrorism as a result of the bold decision taken by the Government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Today there is no threat of terrorism in the country. What Sri Lanka had successfully done was to liberate the people from the clutches of LTTE terrorism. Wherever they are, the aim of the terrorists is to destroy the precious human lives and challenge the democratically elected Governments. Therefore, we always tell America or any other country that there is only one solution to terrorism, which is to destroy it so that the people could live in peace and harmony.

Excerpts of the interview

Q: You have stopped supplying fuel to the CEB on credit and it is reported that several power generation plants have become non-functional. Could you explain this in detail?

A: It was totally untrue that the CEB had to stop the operation of certain power generation plants because of us. We gave a timeframe to the CEB and told them that we are unable to supply fuel on credit basis due to their mounting debt. This was the only issue. Although the Kerawalapitiya power plant owes us a large amount of money yet we didn’t stop supplying fuel to them. We demanded that the outstanding debt should be settled because we could not open Letters of Credits (LCs).

We had a stock with us. We had a discussion with the Treasury and they gave us Rs. 2 billion. Then we started supplying fuel and we are still continuing it. So there is no issue, but we told them that it was mandatory on them to pay their dues. We cannot open our LCs since they have failed to settle their dues. We are not only catering to the CEB but to others as well. My aim is to run this organisation smoothly. We need rupees to buy dollars. We told them that we have to stop supplying fuel to the CEB. But we didn’t stop supplying fuel. They gave us Rs.2 billion and also promised that they would settle the dues. Ultimately we started supplying them fuel. Actually this issue was there only for three days.

It is important that they should settle their dues on time. Otherwise we can’t run an organisation. We are not against the CEB or any other organisation. They have the responsibility to settle their dues on time. If the CEB is buying fuel from a private organisation, what will happen? Like any other private institution I too have to keep my operation going. I think they will understand this situation.

Q: The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) functioned smoothly in the initial stages without any financial burden at all. When did this rot set in? How was it that remedial measures could not be taken to arrest this erosion?

A: With the Open Economy the demand for fuel escalated. New vehicles were introduced to the roads. Annually the demand for fuel goes up by 5 to 7 percent. We are catering to larger Government institutions. Most of the Government institutions settle their bills on time. Others delay their payments. So we had a dialogue with them and all of us agreed on a course of action. I think things can be settled now.

When institutions settle their dues on time there will be no issue for anyone of us. During the last few decads the demand for fuel had gone up three-fold and it was met by our refinery. At present it can produce only 40 percent of our requirements. We have to purchase 60 percent of refined oil from other countries.

In addition, we have the burden of the trade embargo imposed on Iran by America. So we can’t purchase Iranian oil. We have to purchase the same type of crude oil from other Arab countries. Sometimes the yield is not there. These difficulties, we have to look into.

Q: Do you have any program to make the CPC free of debt and run it as a profitable body during your tenure of office?

A: Of course. President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave me the challenge of finding answers to the present problems. So we are now working on that. Its too early to ask me whether I can show profit. I believe in time to come, and once we introduce certain changes into the Corporation and if all Government institutions pay me on time, I would be able run the CPC as a profitable entity.

Q: Critics point out that the CPC retains a big profit margin in the sale of diesel, petrol etc. and as such it could give relief to the public by bringing down the prices. Your comments?

A: No, Now we are buying from Singapore and the Arab market. We use Singapore flat rates. When you buy cargo from those countries, the prices will vary depending on the cargo. The fact is that we have to subsidise a lot. So it is unlikely that I could reduce the prices at present.

But when I make changes in the CPC and also repair the refinery to augment its capacity, then we could bring down the prices. Until then I am unable to do so. Prices sometimes fluctuate. By merely looking at ‘one-day average’ one cannot say that the prices have come down, because it is subject to change. Sometimes we get a monthly average, the highest price within the month and a five-day average as well.

Therefore, you cannot bring down the prices. Trading is different. When we refined crude oil in our refinery, the cost will drop by 15 - 20 percent. We have a mixed system and as such I cannot reduce the prices.

Q: There were serious allegations on the import of substandard fuel to the country in the past. Could you ensure that you will not permit such things during the tenure of your office?

A: There is no substandard oil import as such. We have certain guidelines on what type of crude that we should buy. Normally when we open a tender, we tell them, the type of crude or oil we need. Sometimes traders might deceive us. We take stern action in such instances. It has however, not happened during the tenure of my office.

I am very cautious and I am doing it with an open mind. I am certain that the officials too are doing their job better. Now we are going to have a different system and I want to try it out. In that sense, I think we will get better fuel. We want to ensure that we will get the European standard fuel and there won’t be any complaints.

Q: America’s embargo on the import of Iranian oil has its impact on our economy. Cannot we renegotiate with US authorities to obtain a measure of relief?

A: Actually the US is not allowing Iranian oil to reach our market. So we cannot open LCs. We are buying oil from other countries where we get the same quality. But unfortunately it is slow.

So we are suffering. Small countries such us Sri Lanka are suffering because of the problems that the powerful countries are creating.

We tried to negotiate with them, there was no positive response from them. So we have to bear this up as it had added its weight to our day-to-day financial situation. When we buy at a higher rate our costs will escalate further. Sometimes we don’t get the same anticipated yield and it creates big problems for us despite our being able to manage it.

Q: Nothing is sacred to terrorists as they will explode bombs in pursuit of their targets. The bomb explosion in Boston, USA is a classic example. Is not the time for Western democracies to rethink about their stance towards terrorists or their front organisations?

A: Terrorism is associated with violence regardless of the place, capacity, ambition and their plans. Their aim is to cause violence. We had to face this situation for nearly 25 years. A large number of civilians not only in Sinhala areas but also in Tamil-dominated areas were affected because of terrorism. We merely sympathized with those who were killed or injured. We have been able to put an end to terrorism due to bold decisions taken by the Government under the leadership of President Rajapaksa. As a result, today there is no threat of terrorism in the country. We always tell America or any other country that there is only one solution to terrorism which is to destroy it, so that the people could live in peace and harmony. Wherever they are, they are terrorists. Their aim is to kill people and destroy their property and challenge the democratically elected Governments. Even in America or any other European country, it is the same. We protected the people whether they were Sinhalese or Tamils. While sympathizing with those who died or injured at the Boston bomb explosion, I should say that terrorism has to be checked militarily. I don’t see any other means of eradicating terrorism.

Q: Devolution, reconciliation, resettlement or reintegration are domestic issues under the purview of the Government. How come the outsiders give time-frames, deadlines and so on?

A: It is rather unfortunate. After terrorism was defeated, the Government has done a great deal to improve the lot of the people particularly in the North and the East. The Government will continue to do so. The Government has already launched the reconciliation process. It has rehabilitated ex-LTTE combatants and reintegrated them with their kith and kin by bringing them back to the mainstream. Technical and vocational training has also been given to the ex-LTTE combatants. Some of those female ex-combatants have been recruited to the Army. Actually these are the significant developments in the country.

I don’t know what outsiders are saying. After the end of the conflict, it would have taken time to complete all these activities. They always pressurize us to do many things. I don’t see any reason why they are coming out with various issues.

Reconciliation and rehabilitation are a part of the whole process and let the process go on. Certain things can be done quickly but not all. The outsiders don’t properly understand these issues. The Global Tamil Forum is spreading various false stories against the Government. Most of its members have not even visited this country. Some of them never want to come to this country.

I don’t know why people believe in this nonsense any more. We have allowed anybody to come and see for himself what we are doing here. There can be political issues and we understand them. This is something beyond it. Our process is going on. But we are not prepared to listen to or bow down before anyone. The Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims are our people, not their people. The Government is working towards a final goal and we are moving towards it.

Q: The country has been caught up in a rapid development drive. Are there any major industrial or agricultural development schemes launched in Wayamba, specially in your electorate Katugampola?

A: Wayamba is a special part of the country. The Government has developed the road network in the area. The Deduru Oya project is about to be completed. It covers the North Western Province-the Puttlam district as well as Yapahuwa and Maho areas. We have always improved the agricultural potential in our area and people are happy about it.At present there is a rapid development in Wayamba. All schools in the area have been provided adequate facilities by the Government. Agricultural development is a priority.

Q: As a lawyer how would you explain the breach of tradition by the BASL in not inviting the incumbent Chief Justice but only his predecessor to its recent inaugural ceremony?

A: As a BASL member, I voted at almost all elections since 1982. The BASL consists of lawyers. I think they have violated all norms and principles at the last BASL inauguration. The incumbent president of the BASL and the rest of its members are trying to create a political organisation. I don't think the BASL will last long. Before long, I think there can be a breakaway group which will set up an another association, because most of the lawyers are not in favour of the developments.

Usually the lawyers, are invited to BASL meetings. Here they had invited some politicians for the inaugural ceremony. Can they invite politicians for the BASL inauguration? They have invited others without inviting the incumbent Chief Justice. I think they have gone mad.

Q: You seem to be an idealist and a moderate politician in your own way who does not antagonise even the political rivals. How would you recount your political career?

A: I always think that one can put forward one's view without tarnishing the character of other people. Actually I have a different ideology. I believe in freedom, association and democracy. But in such a situation, I am not a person who will go for cheap political gains. I always believe that this country has a bright future. As a politician and a member of the Cabinet, I have to help President Rajapaksa and the Government to achieve the goal of making Sri Lanka a modern democratic country with a strong economy. I have argued with others in a theoretical and principled manner.

That's my nature. I always want to fulfill my responsibility well. I have always tried my best to develop all organisations under me and bring credit to my Ministry as its Minister. I always like to listen to the trade unions. I don't know whether its a plus point or minus point.

But I think the Government has given me due recognition by offering me an important Ministry. I am a simple man. I have no extravagant lifestyles. I know one's political life is short-lived. One day I will be an ordinary person like you. But during my career as a politician, I want to do a good job for my country. That is my aim.

Q: You have completed nearly three decades in active politics. Do you hope to groom any of your siblings to succeed you in politics?

A: No. I have two daughters and they are still studying. I don't think they wish to get involved in politics. But I believe whoever wants to takes to politics will have to work hard. I never flaunted the names of my political relatives in my political career. I have close political relatives at present and in the past as well. But I don't exploit their names. I have come a long way alone with lot of confidence. Whoever follows me will have to travel the same path that I have trudged. I don't like short- cuts for my family members to venture into politics. I don't think they will take to politics, because my children are small.

I don't know, what they will decide when they grow up. Now they don't seem to like politics. There will be other close and distant relatives who will perhaps take to politics. Now my brother is a Provincial Councillor, but he doesn't have an ambition to go far. Even when he contested, I didn't work for him. I told him that I cannot work for him and I asked him to find his own way.

He is a popular personality and, therefore, he won. I never asked any favour for him from the Government. That is how I work. Therefore, any other person coming into politics is a mere dream and it will not happen.