NWPC candidates unveil plans

By P. Krishnaswamy

The Sunday Observer interviewed a candidate each from the UPFA, UNP and JVP contesting the North Western PC elections to find out their political backgrounds, what motivated them to run for the PC membership, views on the jurisdiction of the PC, plans/desires on servicing the local communities and the ultimate political objectives.

Mihindukulasooriya Susantha Sanjaya Fernando , an up and coming politician contesting from Chilaw as a UPFA candidate said he was Deputy Chairman of the Chilaw Urban Council for two terms in 2001 and is contesting the PC polls because he believes that a better service can be rendered to the people as a PC councillor. His father was a well-known businessman and social worker . Following in the footsteps of his father he entered politics to serve the people and is engaged in clean politics, he said.

Susantha Sanjaya (UPFA)	Sajeeva Fernando (UNP)	Nimal Pathirana (JVP)

Excerpts of the interview:

Question: You have been Deputy Mayor of the Chilaw Urban Council and now you are contesting the North Western PC polls. Do you think you can render a better service to the people through the Provincial Council?

Answer: I was first elected to the UC in the year 2001. The UC was then administered by the UNP. I was elected as the youngest member of the UC. There are eleven members including the Chairman. Until 2006 the UC administration was in the hands of the UNP. In the 2006 elections the UPFA was able to capture power in the UC and I was elected as Vice Chairman of the council. Again I became the Vice Chairman for a second term when the UPFA gained power of the UC in 2011. No one from the Chilaw electorate has contested the PC polls. I believe if I am elected, we can do a lot of work for the city, together with the UC members and parliamentarians representing the constituency. Many development and infrastructure programs have already been implemented since the UPFA captured power in the UC.

Q: Fishing and agriculture being the mainstay of a majority of the people , how in your view could the PC contribute towards increasing productivity in the two sectors ?

A: Under President Mahinda Rajapaksa's far-reaching programs, such as the Mahinda Chintana, Gama Neguma, One Work for One Village and Pura Neguma, infrastructure facilities have been improved in the district. My main agenda as a PC member will be to improve the socio-economic welfare of the local communities. The district is bestowed with many natural resources, mainly in the fishing and agricultural sectors. We will have to formulate plans to further strengthen these sectors. A considerable percentage of the local population also depend on remittances from family members serving in foreign countries. The welfare of these families who bring in valuable foreign exchange will also be in our focus. The education of the youth is another sector we have to focus upon. We have to give preference to education, sports and athletics. More plans will be designed.

Q: What are the major shortcomings in the education and health sectors in the province and what do you think should the Provincial Council do to address them ?

A: The shortage of teachers and resources in some of the schools in the district has to be addressed on a priority basis. The portfolio of education comes under the purview of the Chief Minister. The population of the Kurunegala district is larger than that of the Puttalam district . However, if the Chief Minister (CM) is elected from the Kurunegala district , the educational interests of the Puttalam district will be neglected. In the past it was possible to get the CM's attention focussed on the Puttalam district as well through negotiations. But we need more teachers and more resources for schools in the Puttalam district. In our region we have many English medium international schools and children who study in them join the Government schools because their parents find it difficult to afford the high cost.

Q: Some of the PC Ministers representing the Puttalam district have insinuated that they are unhappy over the repeated appointment of CMs from the Kurunegala district. What are your views?

A: The President has said the CM will be the one who polls the highest number of votes and is popular among the people. We abide by that. The President has rescued the country from the war on terrorism. We are willing to work with the opposition parties too to rebuild the country and maintain peace and harmony.

Q: Some are of the view that the PC system is a white elephant. What are your comments?

A: I believe that huge projects for the welfare of the people and development of the regions can be carried out through the PCs. The notion that the PC system is a white elephant is incorrect. The system has been in force all these years and the Government wants to continue with the system because it can reach the people at the grass roots level to address their needs. Some people may have their own notions. If the people were opposed to the system and felt they had not benefited, they would have refrained from voting.

Q: The TNA and some political leaders say police and land powers should be devolved to the PCs. Your comments?

A: We welcome PC elections to the Northern PC because the elected representatives would be able to bring to the notice of the Government the genuine problems and needs of the people in a democratic manner. We cannot agree with any demand for land and police powers because it is not suitable for a small country such as ours, considering the territorial integrity and sovereignty. It may be suitable for a big country like India. The President is committed towards fulfilling the needs of all communities. The central government should handle all matters relating to police and land matters. The President has very clearly reiterated his stand on the matter.

Q: Chilaw is a place that houses many historical temples and churches and people of all three communities have lived in peace and harmony, even during the July ‘83 communal disturbances. Will you take steps to promote communal and religious amity?

A: People of all religions have lived together peacefully in the city and I believe we have the blessings of all the Gods. Under the directions of the President, steps have been initiated to develop places of religious worship - Churches, Buddhist temples and Hindu temples - including the Munneswaram Shiva temple. I believe the PC will also follow that example.

The UNP candidate Sajeeva Fernando who is now member of the Nattandiya Pradeshioya Sabha (PS) said he entered politics following in the footsteps of his father Andrew Fernando who was in politics with prominent leaders such as Albert Peiris, Hugh Ferrnando and Festus Perera. He has many plans to improve the fisheries and agricultural sectors and is ready to work in collaboration with the UPFA for the development of the region and the welfare of the people, he said. He is a businessman and has spent his personal money to help the less fortunate in society.

Excepts of the interview :

Q: You are a member of the Nattandiya PS and contesting the North Western PC polls. Do you think you could render a better service to the people as a PC member?

A: Yes. As a member of the Pradeshiya Sabha my monthly remuneration is only Rs.8000/-. I spend that on elderly ailing people and poor schoolchildren. Likewise, if I am elected to the PC, I hope to spend my remuneration on the less fortunate in the community. The budget allocation for a PC member will be in the range of Rs.20 - 30 lakhs . So, naturally, I will be able to provide a better service to the people in the entire district.

Q: Can you tell us about your political background?

A: My father, Andrew Fernando was engaged in politics with leaders such as Albert Peiris, Hugh Fernando and Festus Perera . Together with them my father has done a lot for the district and the socio-economic uplift of the people of the area. I entered politics following in the footsteps of my father. I contested the Nattandiya Pradeshiya Sabha and was elected in March 2011.

Q: Many state institutions, including hospitals and schools other than national schools, are under the purview of the PC . What are your plans to improve such institutions ?

A: When the North Western PC was under the control of the UNP with Gamini Jayawickrama Perera as CM we served the people without any political, religious or communal differences. Certainly, I will follow that example if I am elected and I hope my party too will take a similar stand if elected to power. There are many shortcomings in schools and hospitals. Many schools lack teachers and hospitals do not have necessary equipment. There are shortcomings with regard to infrastructure facilities, including the road network. There are also shortcomings of facilities provided to the fishing communities. We have many far-reaching plans to provide them with facilities and and improving their standard of life. We also have plans to enhance agricultural productivity. If the UNP comes into power all these will be adressed.

Q: Do you think it will not be possible for UNP members elected to the PC to work in coordination with the UPFA ?

A: We will certainly support all development work, and welfare measures for the people. But we will oppose any measures based on political discrimination.

Q: Some political leaders say that the PC system is a white elephant and is not good for the country . What are your views on that ?

A: I believe many of those who make such statements are either ministers or members of PCs. We can do a lot through the PCs for the development of the region, exploiting the local resources , for the socio-economic uplift of the local communities and reaching the people at the grass roots levels. Many government ministers have admitted that it is a unique system for the development of the regions. Those who say the PC system is a white elephant should resign from their PC membership.

The JVP candidate for the North Western PC Nimal Pathirana said although they contested the PC polls they never considered the PC system as a viable solution to the national question. They only want to use it as a platform to voice against corruption and malpractices.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: Can you tell us about your political background?
A: I contested the parliamentary elections and PC elections without success.

Q: What are your party's views on the PC system ?
A: Our party rejects the PC system because it is not a solution to the national question.

Q: So why are you contesting the PC polls?

A: We want to use it as a platform to voice against corruption, malpractices and nepotism. We want to convey the message to the people that under the prevailing capitalist system no solution to any of the national problems can be achieved.

Q: What are your views on the present controversy over police and land powers to the PCs ?

A: If police and land powers are not offered to the PC , it is again wrong.
Q: How many members did your party have in the last North Western PC?

A: One, our present chief candidate Nimal Herath.
Q: What were his specific achievements as a member of the PC ?

A: He was able to stop a Bill on Water Tax being passed. We did a lot of propaganda because it was detrimental to the interests of the people.

Q: Do you approve PC polls being held for the Northern province?

A: Yes. Although the PC system is not a solution to the national question, the polls will give an opportunity to the Northern people to elect their representatives who, in turn, will voice their grievances.