Pro-LTTE diaspora influences Canadian leaders - Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Management Minister, Nimal Siripala de Silva said there is no rationality in Canada's decision to boycott the CHOGM. When the former Canadian Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney has criticised the decision, it shows that this is a biased decision. This decision has been taken due to undue influence exerted on the Canadian government. This is what we have been reiterating - that the pro-LTTE diaspora in Canada is influencing Canadian leaders to take wrong decisions.

The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said in the international arena specially in the diplomatic world, decisions are not taken in a biased manner. Rational and diplomatic norms must be taken into consideration. This is a classic example of how the pro-LTTE diaspora has influenced some of the leaders and political parties in the West.

Minister de Silva said there is a challenge before the Northern Provincial Council and its newly elected Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran. The LLRC also recommended that there should be reconciliation. The Chief Minister of the Northern Province who was elected by 87 percent of the people said the provincial administration should work closely with the Central Government, other Provincial Councils and the people in the South. That would bring real reconciliation. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government is prepared to get close to the TNA and work hand in hand with them. They must make the best use of this situation and work closely with the Central Government and get whatever benefit they could to be distributed to the people.

Q: The main Opposition UNP, some coalition partners of the Government and other national movements have protested against the new regulations to be moved under the Strategic Development Project Act. Could you elaborate the exact situation regarding this issue?

A: The gazette notification under the Strategic Development Project Act is to facilitate an investor to set up a mixed development project. It is not a project exclusively set up for Casinos. This was well-explained by Investment Promotion Minister, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena in Parliament. But certain doubts were raised not only by the Opposition but also by some of our coalition partners as well. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Party Leaders who held extensive discussions on this issue decided to withdraw this Gazette notification for the time being and bring another Gazette notification with modifications incorporating various concerns raised by religious leaders and political parties. I am sure that revised gazette notification will be acceptable to all political leaders. But we have to be mindful that when we are in the Opposition we try to take advantage of certain Government actions for our immediate or future political gains. I saw the UNP had stated that they will withdraw or ban casinos in Sri Lanka. We should not forget it is the UNP Government which introduced the Gaming Bill to facilitate casinos and other gaming ventures such as race by race. The Opposition is making so many statements just to be in the public eye and embarrass the Government.

But we are a strong Government sensitive to the aspirations of the people. We feel that while securing the culture and heritage, we have to attract foreign investments as well. We have to ensure that investments are flowing into the country and new employment opportunities are created. The Government will make decisions taking into consideration all these factors.

Q: Certain sections of the media have reported that the Government through Budget 2014 is considering the introduction of an additional tax on wealthy Sri Lankans. Is there any truth in this media speculation?

A: I am not aware about such a move. Until the President in his capacity as Finance Minister presents Budget 2014 in Parliament, nobody knows what the Budget holds. We can’t comment on an issue which we have not seen. It is a secret document that will come out only at the particular day of the budget speech.

Q: Do you think Budget 2014 will provide relief to the cost of living issue?

A: The Government should address the cost of living issue. It’s a common phenomenon affecting every country. If we take India for example, at one time the cost of living was low but now it has gone up. But there is high economic growth in India. If we take China, the same thing happened. Their prices of goods went up. At the same time, China achieved high economic growth as well. What is necessary is that we should build an economy which will give a higher income and higher earning capacity to the people. This is the remedy for the cost of living issue. Most products depend on World Market prices. Petroleum and gas prices are controlled by World Market prices. Even if we produce rice and vegetables at low cost, these products have to be brought to the city. The cost of transport is a vital factor.

To address the cost of living, we have to find how the cost or the prices of vegetables could be brought down. Then farmers should not be affected. If farmers don’t get a good price for their products, they will not produce that commodity. Therefore, we have to think of the cost of living issue, rationally.

Q: The Opposition alleges that when the cost of living is sky rocketing, the Government has appointed another nine Deputy Ministers. Is there any truth in this allegation levelled by the Opposition?

A: The appointment of nine Deputy Ministers has nothing to do with the cost of living issue. What about the 68,000 jobs given by the Government to graduates. Then that too should have affected the cost of living. The appointment of nine Deputy Ministers does not have an impact on our economy.

Q: Certain sections and pro-LTTE diaspora give a wrong impression to the international community on the deployment of Armed Forces in the North. Would you like to comment on this?

A: The TNA and certain other elements attempt to twist the presence of the Armed Forces in the Northern Province and give a wrong impression that the Government has militarised the area. But the Army does not interfere with any civilian activity in that area. There were no complaints that the Army has influenced or engaged in any activity which disrupts civilian life. They are confined to barracks. The Army contingent is not only deployed in the North. Even in my own area, Badulla, Army contingents have been placed in some of the cities and villages.

There are Army deployments in the South as well. I think this is an issue created by certain elements who want to discredit the Government.

Q: According to you what should be the main task of the newly established Northern Provincial Council and its Chief Minister?

A: There is a challenge before the Northern Provincial Council and its new Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran. Even the LLRC recommended that there should be reconciliation. The Chief Minister of the Northern Province who has been elected through the vote of 87 percent of the people and the provincial administration should work closely with the Central Government, other Provincial Councils and the people in South. That would really bring reconciliation. They should not be influenced by international forces or the LTTE mindset. Because that would create problems for the South. The Chief Minister and the council should make a very conciliatory approach. Because they can closely work with the President and the Government for the development and to alleviate poverty and give a better life to the people in the North. Even without them, the Government has already engaged in developing infrastructure, agriculture and providing employments to the Northern people. Now that responsibility will be given to the newly established Provincial Council. But we are not going to abandon them. We will help them to our level best. But they all will be dependent based on their approach and attitude. If they look at us with suspicion and create problems, then we will distance ourselves. But the Government is prepared to get close to them and work hand in hand with them. They must make best use of this situation and work closely with the Central Government and get whatever benefits they could to be distributed to the people.

Q: Even former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney has criticised the decision taken by Canada to boycott CHOGM. How do you look at this stance taken by Canada?

A: This just shows there is no rationality in Canada's decision. When the former Canadian Premier himself has criticised the decision, it shows that the decision is biased. This is a decision taken due to undue influence. This is what we have been re-iterating - that the pro-LTTE diaspora in Canada is influencing Canadian leaders to take wrong decisions. Now it is confirmed.

Because no less a person than the former Prime Minister has criticised that decision. Because in the international arena, especially in the diplomatic world, decisions are not taken in an adhoc manner. They are taking rationally taking into consideration diplomatic movements and norms. This is a good example to show how the pro-LTTE diaspora has influenced some of the leaders and political parties in the West.

Q: How do you look at the crisis faced by the UNP and its proposed reforms. If these reforms become a success, would the Opposition be able to pose a challenge to the Government?

A: We would like if the Opposition resolve their differences and pose a challenge, our Government is prepared to face challenges. We need a strong Opposition for the well-being of the country and for democracy. I pray that the UNP should resolve their internal problem and become a formidable force in the political arena.

Q: Instead of talking about the benefits to be gained from CHOGM, the main Opposition UNP talks about the expenditure involved and warn that the the event should be boycotted. How do you look at this attitude of the Opposition?

A: Every project and venture entails certain expenditure. We can’t embark on a project without expenditure. This is not expenditure per se. This is an investment. These investments will bring results. But it cannot be done immediately and it will take some time. We are sure hat holding CHOGM in Sri Lanka would pave the way to enhance the country's image. In addition, all false and fabricated stories about Sri Lanka will be nullified. We can paint a much better picture about Sri Lanka to the world. Our tourism industry will get a boost and investment would flow. Apart from all that, our prestige and goodwill will be re-established in the international community.

Q: How do you analyse the claim made by the UNP about the huge defence expenditure made in the Budget?

A: Not only in Sri Lanka, defence expenditure is there in every country. Security is needed because of terrorism spreading all over the world. I have visited some of the European and Arab countries. Security in these airports and other places is at a maximum. Uniformed personnel are hardly seen but many people in civil have been deployed. With incidents taking place in this part of the world, we have to take precautions so that the terrorism will not raise its head and no undue trouble could happen in our country which would disturb to the hard-earned peace. We had to use our three Armed Forces during the war against terrorists. We can’t dismantle them overnight. I don’t think it’s a proper move. They are the people who saved our nation from the clutches of terrorism. We have to look after war veterans and those who were injured and families of war heroes who sacrificed their lives for the sake of their motherland.

That is an obligation cast on the nation. Having got all the work done and the immense sacrifice they made, we can’t turn our backs on them. We have to ensure that we look after them. That is a part of humanity as well.

Q: What is the progress with regard to the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) ? Is there any positive sign on the part of the UNP, JVP and TNA to make representation at the PSC?

A: I don’t think the UNP and other Opposition parties would come to the PSC. We invited them, but they didn’t come. But the PSC is functioning well. There are a lot of people who give various ideas about issues such as executive presidency, the electoral system and the 13th Amendment. In all these areas, they have expressed diverse views. This will be helpful for the select committee to reach its deliberations.