Govt can compete with the strongest Opposition -Minister Siripala de Silva

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Leader of the House and Irrigation and Water Resources Management Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said the Government has the capacity to compete even with the strongest Opposition. The Government's victory does not depend on the weaknesses of the Opposition, but is based solely on its strength and vote base. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said the Government has expanded its vote base among all communities. In addition, its vote base in the villages and cities have also shown significant improvement.

The Minister said he is confident that the people who love peace and oppose terrorism and appreciate the development work done in the Northern Province will vote for President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the next Presidential Election. If one candidate or ten candidates come to the fray, the Government is in a stable position to win that election with an overwhelming majority.

Excerpts of the interview.

Q: Are you preparing the groundwork to counter the pressure of some Western forces that would be made against Sri Lanka at the next UNHRC sessions in Geneva over alleged human rights violations committed during the latter part of the humanitarian operation?

A: As far as Sri Lanka is concerned, it is ready to face challenges. We are prepared to meet that challenge. We took the challenge of eradicating the three decade- old- terrorism. Amidst the pressure exerted by some Western powers and the pro-LTTE diaspora, Sri Lanka can overcome that challenge.

Q: Do you think the average man is satisfied with the budget proposals of 2014?

A: I am sure they are satisfied.

Q: As a veteran Parliamentarian are you satisfied with the contribution made by opposition MPs for the 2014 budget debate?

A: It is not only opposition MPs, Government members should also take more interest in the budget debate. Slinging mud will not help anyone to become a good parliamentarian. You should have necessary facts and figures and an articulated way of presenting them. This skill has to be developed among Parliamentarians. They should be present more often in Parliament. The presence of Parliamentary proceedings is necessary. There are times when most members do not attend Parliament especially the newcomers. This is the breeding ground for their political future. They should spend more time in Parliament and its library. They should watch others speaking in Parliament and take part in committee stage proceedings to develop their skills.

Q: Some political groups are teaming with the Opposition to form a broad alliance to challenge the Government at a coming election. What is the Government’s stand on this?

A: The UNP itself is in disarray. I don’t think any sensible person will join an alliance as it is. Even if they join, it is not a challenge to the UPFA Government or to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. We are capable enough to compete even with the strongest opposition in the country. Because our victory is not dependent on the weakness of the Opposition, but solely based on the strength of our Government and its vote base. We have expanded our vote base among all communities. Our vote base in the villages and cities have shown significant improvement. Of course one may say, our vote base was not projected properly in the Northern Province at the last election. But for the first time, the Government obtained a large number of votes from the Northern Province. We are confident when it comes to the Presidential Election, the people who love peace and oppose terrorism and appreciate the enormous development work done in the Northern province and will definitely vote for President Mahinda Rajapaksa. If one candidate or ten candidates come to the fray, the Government is in a stable position to win that election with an overwhelming majority.

Q: Provincial Council elections for three Provincial Councils are round the corner. Have you finalised nomination lists and are there any new faces vying to compete?

A: I must say there is very little room for new faces. Usually those who are already there will be given nominations unless there are charges and allegations against them. Anyway, I think as far as the new people are concerned, the party is trying to attract them as well. We can get young candidates and we are looking for vibrant candidates. There is room to accommodate them.

Q: Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne is unduly pressurized by opposition parties and the JHU over the recent scandal in the Customs. What is the Government’s stand on this?

A: I must say it is evident that the Opposition is making a hue and cry over a small incident which has occurred. I don’t want to comment because investigations are going on. The facts which have been revealed up to now are clear that the Prime Minister is not responsible for this. It is one of his officers and even he was not aware of what was in that container. I am not going to defend anyone. But what I say is that the facts revealed up to now does not call for the Premier to resign or for action to be taken against him.

Q: Another allegation of the Opposition is that although there are development activities on infrastructure they have paid no heed to the rising cost of living of the common man in the 2014 Budget. How do you respond to this allegation?

A: This is a Budget which has taken into consideration the long- term sustainability of our economy. As a result of this Budget, we are sure that the income earnings of farmers, medium and small entrepreneurs and the tourism sector will flourish. If we take prices of goods ten years ago and now , the prices are huge. But what is needed is to ensure that a better income is generated to handle price increases. Of course there are certain issues in the public sector. Because one may say the income which they get is insufficient.

If we take state labourers as an example, their salaries were increased. Sometimes in a one family, three or four people are working. If we take the tea and rubber industries and minor export crops such as cinnamon and pepper, their income has gone up. Can we hire a labourer in Sri Lanka without paying at least Rs.1000 per day. Can we hire a mason or a carpenter without paying them at least Rs.1500 or Rs.2000 on a daily basis?

It is true that the people who are looking for white collar jobs and want to work in air conditioned offices are not getting more money. But people working in the field are earning more. Even the competent people in the private sector who are prepared to work hard are paying more than in the Government sector. The Opposition can’t just only point out to public servants and say their salaries have not been increased. Because they have other comforts.

The Government has increased their salaries as well. If we take teachers as an example, how many of them are giving private tuition now? They have one month leave every three months. So that they can spend time with their families. The cost of living is rising in every country,in India, Asian countries and the West. This is not confined only to Sri Lanka.

Q: Is there a valid reason for the UNP, JVP and TNA not to nominate members for the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) headed by you to find a solution to the long- drawn national issue?

A: I have been saying that there is no valid reason for them not to come to the PSC. But the reason for not nominating their members to the PSC, it is due political reasons. If we take the Northern Provincial Council, until the Provincial Council was established , they were saying we will never have elections and we will never give them an opportunity to form a Provincial Council.

Once the Provincial Council is formed, they are demanding to remove the Governor. Suppose if we do so, tomorrow they will say something else. Because that is all political. They want to go through a political struggle all the time to keep the people with their political slogan. I hope the people in the country and also in the Northern Province will understand this. That is not what is expected from elected members of Provincial Councils. They should work for the province and we have provided them money and the necessary facilities without creating any problem for them. We have held a free and fair election there. They should move forward. Instead of entering into confrontation, they must work hand in glove with the Government. Then only we can build a national consensus. Reconciliation cannot be achieved from a single party. Both parties must be geared towards it.

Q: It is the belief that the lack of a formidable and vibrant opposition is not healthy for proper democratic governance. How do you view the crisis faced by the Opposition?

A: We feel sorry for them. As I mentioned earlier, even with the strongest Opposition, President Mahinda Rajapaksa is a leader who has done so much for the country. We have no problem and are certain that the people will bring him back to power. But we still like to see a strong opposition.

Q: Are you satisfied with the budgetary allocations for your Ministry?

A: I am satisfied. We have got nearly Rs.53 billion allocation for Uma Oya, Yan Oya, Moragahakanda, Kalu Ganga and Deduru Oya projects. We have another World Bank funded project to rehabilitate the existing reservoirs which is known as the Dam Safety Project. We have also received sufficient funds to renovate minor tanks, canals and the maintenance of the existing irrigation network. We would successfully fulfill the water requirements of farmers.