Opposition political parties lack the common touch - Deputy Speaker

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

The Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said the duty of the Opposition political party leaders at present should be to go before the people and canvass to obtain their support. But the UNP and TNA leaders are not canvassing at the grassroots level. They are canvassing internationally which is a serious matter as far as democracy is concerned. During an election period, especially, they should win hearts democratically at the grass roots level and not at the international level.

The Deputy Speaker in an interview with the Sunday Observer said unfortunately the message communicated outside Sri Lanka by third parties with vested interests is not what is really happening in the country. However much we try to convince and explain our stand, it is not like seeing for themselves. As Shakespeare said “seeing is believing”. Therefore, as the host State of CHOGM, we are blessed with this significant opportunity to showcase the country's progress to 54 Heads of State and get them to interact with various segments of the society and parliamentarians so that they could come to a correct conclusion on their own. CHOGM will be the biggest ever international conference to be held in Sri Lanka after the 1976 Non Aligned Summit. It is a much looked forward to event in this era.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: Is it not the time now to do away with the obnoxious features of the Constitution such as the preferential vote which has resulted in clashes between candidates within the same party?

A: The common phenomenon under the prevailing election system of the Constitution is, e.g., if the father and son or two brothers contest from the same party, there is competition between them for preferential votes. However, this situation has become unique today due to the lack of a strong opposition, so that it results in competition among the candidates of the ruling party. When there is no strong opposition to pose a challenge, obviously competition continues within the ruling party candidates as everyone is keen to win and reach the top. It is unavoidable under the present preferential system. At the same time, it is the responsibility of the candidates to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner by adhering to the rules and regulations of election law. If there is harmony and understanding among the candidates of the same party, they could continue to develop the region.

Q: Despite various allegations against Sri Lanka at the international fora, the government has opened the doors to the Commonwealth delegates or interested parties to visit the country and see for themselves what is happening. What is your view on this?

A: This is the best that can happen to Sri Lanka at present. We have come out of terrorism. The Government is genuinely developing the country, especially, the destructed areas in the North and the East. There has been significant development in those areas. The Government's reconciliation efforts are genuine and carried out at the best possible speed. Unfortunately, the message communicated outside Sri Lanka by third parties with vested interests is not what is really happening in the country. However much we try to convince them explaining where we stand, it is not like seeing for themselves. As Shakespeare said “Seeing is believing”. So, as the host State of CHOGM, we are blessed with an opportunity to showcase our country's progress to 54 Heads of State and invite them to interact with various segments of the society and parliamentarians, so that they could arrive at the correct conclusion on their own. We have never had this kind of opportunity before. This is the biggest ever international conference to be held in Sri Lanka after the 1976 Non Aligned Summit. It is a much looked forward to event for the country in this era.

Q: A Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) has been appointed to resolve the problems of the Tamil community if any. Is it justifiable for the main opposition UNP, JVP and TNA to boycott it on frivolous grounds to gain petty political mileage?

A: Parliament is the forum to voice the concerns of the 21 million population of the country. From the 21 million people, we have been elected for this purpose. It is the responsibility of all parliamentarians to raise their voice and place their position in the House with regard to any issues. So it is considered as the most important issue in the country right now. It is the responsibility of the UNP, JVP and TNA to participate in the PSC and place their concerns, whether they are for or against the PSC. If they say the Government will not implement the PSC or if they suppose the Government will not implement their proposals, it will be on record. If the Government fails to do the right thing, they can take it up with the PSC. So, I don’t know why they are not making use of this opportunity. I believe they are making the same mistake they did in not supporting the eradication of terrorism. As a result, they have become unpopular among the public. Now they are making the same mistake by not supporting the Government’s genuine efforts at reconciliation.

Q: How is it that Sri Lanka weathered all storms and eventually succeeded in holding the CHOGM despite contrary attempts by certain elements? Has it not proved the strength of Sri Lanka’s independent foreign policy?

A: It was decided at the last meeting to hold CHOGM in Sri Lanka. The Commonwealth didn't arrive at that decision at once. There were researches and fact-finding missions in this regard. I remember as far back as 2009, the Commonwealth Secretariat in a fact-finding mission met me and UNP parliamentarian Sujeewa Senasinghe. Having been satisfied on the prevailing situation in Sri Lanka, the decision to hold CHOGM was taken at the last meeting. Thereafter, voices were raised by various parties with vested interests against the holding of CHOGM in the country. The same attempt was made even before we organised the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).. However, the decision was confirmed to hold the CPA in Sri Lanka. We could organise it as one of the most successful events to be held in the country. No one can stop us from holding this event in Sri Lanka which is already confirmed. We have 15 sub committees to look into the organisation process of CHOGM. These sub committees are already in the process of organising the event. The Secretary General of Commonwealth is satisfied with the progress made so far in organising the event.

We are a founder member of the Commonwealth. We have maintained civilized relationships throughout. Sri Lanka is not a country that was civilized yesterday or the day before. We have a strong culture and our cultural values are high. In our religious commitments whether Buddhists, Catholics, Muslims or Hindus we have been well protected. The majority of the people in the country has always been strong headed. That is why it took almost 300 years for the western forces to capture Sri Lanka. The Portuguese came to Sri Lanka in 1505. But finally the British could take us under their control only in 1815. When we look at the period during which we had to face various external forces, we could see how strong the Sri Lankan people had been even in the past. Being the oldest democracy in thie region, Sri Lanka is a country which has had continuous and uninterrupted democracy since 1931.

Q: In democratic countries such as England and USA, the opposition despite its ideological differences support the Government in all national issues and interference by foreign powers. How would you compare this with Sri Lanka?

A: It is unfortunate that some Opposition members for their personal gains and survival attempt to do things against the national interest of the country. On the other hand, the people who have elected them are in the correct direction. The people have always been with the country and the Government. That is why the Opposition has become weak over the past few years.

Q: Many are the instances reported by the media when Parliament had to adjourn sessions due to the lack of a quorum. As this is not a healthy feature in democratic governance, what steps could be taken to remedy the situation?

A: The people should be mindful to elect people who will conduct themselves responsibly. That is number one. The members themselves should contemplate as to why they are elected by the people. The political parties should be able to take stern disciplinary control over members elected to perform duties on behalf of the public. There had been occasions where the lack of a quorum has come up in Parliament. But I must say it has not been often. The last time the quorum issue came up in Parliament was a couple of months ago. Since then, there has not been such incidents. But there had been issues with regard to the participation of parliamentarians.

Q: Despite the shortcomings of the Provincial Council system, it could ensure economic development at provincial level by harnessing resources. What will be the situation if extreme political elements try to realise their political dreams at the cost of development?

A: Those who are elected should know their responsibilities. If they try to make use of the mandate given to them by the people to destabilise the country, the whole country will have to suffer. The people in the province will suffer. I don’t think under any circumstances the people in the North want to go back to the era of three decades ago. What the people in the North want is development, reconciliation and to safeguard their rights. We are now on the correct track. It is up to the provincial government whoever is elected to support the efforts to develop the area and see that the people are happy and comfortable.

Q: The TNA does not have an agenda of its own aimed at improving the lifestyle of the Tamil community other than hobnobbing with the diaspora and its foreign political gurus seeking advice. How far practical are such policies in the interest of the Tamils?

A: At present the duty of the Opposition political party leaders should be to go before the people and canvass to obtain their support. But the UNP and TNA leaders are not canvassing at the grassroots level. They are canvassing internationally which is a serious matter as far as democracy goes. Winning the hearts of the people should be practised democratically at the grass roots level, not at the international level especially during an election period. During an election period where should the leaders be? The TNA issue was created for the Tamils because of the leadership they represented over the years. The majority of them were from Colombo elitist families who are hardly aware of the lifestyle and grievances of the Tamils living in the North. They are a learned and respected people. Unfortunately, they had no connection to the real issues at the grassroots level. It was one reason for the uprising by Prabhakaran and others.

Again the TNA is trying to go back to the bygone era. If you take my good friend TNA MP Sumanthiran, he is a qualified professional. Where was he born and bred? Does he understand the true feelings of the Northern Tamils? Where was he during the period of the so called civil war as they claim? Then he was practising in Colombo and leading a cosy life. At the 2010 General Election, the TNA could have nominated a professional from the North for its National List to Parliament. Unfortunately, no such person was nominated and they nominated a professional more familiar with issues in Colombo and the South. Who is the TNA's Chief Ministerial candidate for the Northern Provincial Council Election? He is a person born and bred in Colombo and who studied at Royal College.

He has more connections with the families here in Colombo. He was suddenly brought in as the TNA's Chief Ministerial candidate. Does he have a proper understanding about the real issues in the North? The gap between the people in the North and the so called TNA representatives will deepen further.

It will result in a clash between the leadership and the civilians. If the TNA wants to support the people, they should select the candidates from that area who understand the grievances of the people there. Politically, the TNA is not toeing the line towards the correct direction. The TNA is trying to get people fluent in English and talk to the international community, not those who can deliver to the grass roots level.

Q: Do you see any political motive in the adjournment motion moved by the UNP on the Rathupaswala incident in Parliament on Wednesday?

A: Obviously there is a political motive behind this motion. I don't blame the opposition politicians of trying to get political mileage out of such a situation. But at the same time they have to be responsible for what they say and how they conduct themselves on issues that are sensitive.