Confidence-building, my strategy - Daya Master

By Manjula Fernando

Velayutham Dayanidhi better known as Daya Master was a media spokesman for the LTTE. Born on March 3, 1954 in Point Pedro, he began his career as a private tutor of English. He then lived in the Wattala and Dehiwala areas working in the private sector before moving back to Jaffna to resume his tutoring.

Daya Master joined the LTTE as an 'employee' in 1992 and worked as a media coordinator liaising with the local and international media during the ceasefire, after 2002. He, along with George Master, the LTTE interpretor surrendered to the government forces on April 19, a month before the military declared victory over LTTE terrorism.

Daya Master underwent a phase of rehabilitation while in detention, from May to September 2009 and was released on September 11. He is now aspiring to contest the Northern Provincial Council election under the UPFA ticket. He was interviewed by a nomination panel of five senior party stalwarts, including Ministers Susil Premajayantha and A.H.M. Fowzie in Colombo. The decision whether he will be nominated by the UPFA to contest the PC polls, was pending at the time the interview was compiled.

The following are excerpts of the brief interview the Sunday Observer had with Daya Master:

Question: Do you enjoy your profession as a journalist now (assuming that you work for DAN TV)?

Answer: Yes, I do work for DAN TV and enjoy my role as a journalist. I have been here since 2009. I am the News Editor of the Jaffna News section. There are about ten working with me. I am mindful of the 'ethics of journalism' in carrying out my duties.

Q: Are you contesting the Northern Province PC elections in September under the UPFA ticket? Has it been finalised?

A: I have applied to be a candidate and have been interviewed recently. I await the Party's decision on the matter.

Q: Why did you decide to contest the election? And why under the UPFA ticket? What do you hope to achieve by entering politics?

- There are reports that KP and Thamilini will also contest, is it true?

A: I am of the opinion that a solution can be found with the help and participation of the Government. I believe that the UPFA will deliver the goods for the welfare of the people. With regard to, Thamilini and KP, what I can say is that they have not applied to the party yet. It is the prerogative of the UPFA to choose their candidates.

Q: If you are selected, what have you in mind for the Northern people? What are the priority needs of the Northern people in your opinion? Are they any different from the aspirations of the Tamil people in the South?

A: I believe the Provincial Council is an effective instrument to meet the needs and aspirations of the people. Especially in the present context, the people need to be addressed by giving them necessary infrastructure to begin their lives. Whether it's the people in general or ex-combatants who have now been rehabilitated, they look for 'healing' in a holistic sense and my first priority will be to help heal their wounds and encourage them to have confidence on the Government. Hence a "confidence-building" mechanism will be my strategy.

Q: What have you to say on the 13th Amendment? Do you support the ongoing efforts to dilute the 13 -A? Do you think it is necessary?

A: I do not wish to comment other than that of a collective one, that is, of the Government. But I believe it is better to have a mechanism to resolve people's problems within the province.

Q: Looking back at the days gone by, what do you feel?

A: When I look back, I can say with confidence that we learnt through our failures. We have learned good lessons from our past. We live in a country which is unitary. Hence we strive to live in relation to one another and not against any one or any culture.

Q: Do you think a power sharing mechanism among the Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims is necessary? Do you think the Provincial Councils introduced in 1987 provide the basis for that or do we need a modified structure?

A: Perhaps what has been provided with, is a good starter but we still need a better structure.

Q: Do you have faith in the ongoing efforts towards this goal?

A: Yes, I think the Government is sincere in its endeavours.

Q: It is reported that you drafted the UPFA election manifesto for the PC polls. Is it correct?

A: Any person affiliated to the UPFA is expected to contribute towards the good of the party and for the larger good. I am one with that principle.