Get onto the right track in politics - Anuradha Jayaratne

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

The UPFA Central Provincial Council (CPC) candidate Anuradha Jayaratne is a dynamic youth contesting the upcoming Provincial Councils (PC) polls in the Kandy district. Hailing from a political family as the son of an experienced politician and the current Prime Minister, D.M. Jayaratne, he is equipped with a series of fresh ideas to develop the Province. In an interview with the Sunday Observer, he said the Government will not only obtain a majority in the Central Province but also reach up to the level of securing 20 to 22 members.

He said the Government's victory in the CP is quite evident. The Government needs no campaigning because, on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government and the CPC have performed a great deal for the well-being of the people in the Province. The majority of the people are willing to extend their fullest support to the Government as they can see for themselves the developments taking place in the province.

Q: What are the main issues faced by the Central Province that needs to be given priority?

A: When we compare with the past, a vast development has taken place in the Province under President Rajapaksa's leadership. I believe we have to go a long way to achieve the targets set. The President has already signed three agreements with a Chinese company to commence construction work on the Kandy Expressway and it is scheduled to begin soon.

Once the construction of the highway is completed, we could overcome lots of issues in the Province.

Q: After the UPFA consolidates power in the CPC, what are your plans for the region and how do you expect to address the major issues in the Province?

A: It is not only the Provincial Council but we have to get the support of the Central Government also to achieve our targets. The Prime Minister has also been appointed from the Central Province.

So we have the additional advantage to develop the Province. I am confident that we could overcome the issues with his support. The youth in the Province face many issues. I am sure we could get the Prime Minister's support to find solutions for them.

Q: Does the Government have a systematic plan to address the issues faced by the estate people and those of the Central Province?

A: This is the first time I am contesting an election. After I win on September 21, I have to focus attention on the major issues in the CP. Some issues can be sorted out at the provincial level, but some need to be addressed with the help of the Central Government. Since it is not an election that would change the President or the Government, we will be able to get their support to sort out any issues in the Province.

Q: In the CP, especially in the Kandy district, the UNP’s vote base is strong. Will it be changed this time?

A: I think we have already changed it. If you take the Kandy Municipal Council for example, after 57 years the Government captured power at the last Local Government Elections. It was considered as a UNP stronghold in the past. We were able to change the trend and take control of the Municipal Council under the wings of the Government. At this PC election too, the Government will not only obtain a majority in the CP but would secure 20 to 22 members from the UPFA.

Q: Is the UPFA confident of winning all the electorates in the Kandy district at the upcoming PC polls?

A: Definitely. Our victory is hundred percent sure. We don't need to campaign so much, because on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Government and the CPC have performed a great deal for the well-being of the people in the Province. The people know the amount of work the Government has done for them. Therefore, the majority of them are willing to extend their support to the Government as they can see for themselves the developments taking place in the Province. But the UNP has to do a lot of planning for their campaign because they have not done anything for the people.

Q: How do you look at the present setback faced by the UNP in the Central Province and their lethargic campaign?

A: Personally I don't like it. There should be a strong Opposition, because all that we do may not always be hundred percent correct. We need a strong Opposition to point out the mistakes and rectify them. The problem faced by the country today is that there is no vibrant Opposition. There has to be a system of checks and balances. Only then would we be able to go on the right track.

Q: Some election related incidents have been reported mainly among the ruling party candidates, including the Central Province. What has led to create such a situation among the same party candidates?

A: In Kandy, we don't have any such issues. Although the newspapers reported of some incidents in certain electorates in the Central Province, no such incidents have been reported in our area. All the candidates are peacefully engaged in their election campaign, strictly adhering to election law. We get on the same political platform and address the people. As far as democracy is concerned, I believe Kandy has set a good trend.

Q: Being an Attorney-at-Law by profession what led you to enter politics? Did your illustrious father's political career influence you to join politics?

A: If I had wanted to enter politics because of my father, I would have done so long ago. I believe before helping others, we have to be strong enough to stand on our own feet. Many people take to politics, but most of them don't have the strength to work for the people. Some have personnel agendas. As for me, first I wanted to complete my education. Once we enter politics, we have to get into the right track. So I wanted to complete my education first and then enter politics. It was not because of my father's influence. I thought it was my duty to serve the people in my capacity.

Q: And finally, what is your future political ambition?

A: In politics, one can either do one's best or the worst. It is my ambition to get into the right track and do the best for the people.