Think and work as one nation - Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Lands and Land Development Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon said if we all think and work as one Sri Lankan nation, we can find solutions to our internal problems. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said if people were divided based on ethnicity, various problems may crop up. If we don't think as one nation, these problems will multiply. All official documents should identify us as Sri Lankans.

The Government is geared to face the challenge at the forthcoming UNHRC sessions. When baseless allegations are levelled against us by the West, we must remind them about the hardship faced by us over the past three decades due to LTTE atrocities. My personnel view is that we should maintain cordial relations with all countries. We should follow a non alligned policy.

Q: The US is determined to move a third resolution against Sri Lanka at the forthcoming UNHRC sessions. If it succeeds, what would be the consequences?

A: It is premature to commen on thist. We have to think based on the manner that this resolution is going to be moved. At present speculation is rife about the outcome of the issue. I think if we are prepared it would have been much better. Now we are late. A capable team should be sent to Geneva to give the real situation before the UNHRC.

Because we suffered during the past three decades due to terror unleashed by the LTTE. Certain Western countries are all out to project a different picture and make out that it was the LTTE that suffered and not civilians.

They make out that we have created this problem and not the LTTE. If we were aware earlier,we would have debunked this myth. I think even now we are not too late.

Q: The Government believes that a conspiracy is being hatched by the West to concoct a story that human rights is being violated even in the South to disgrace the country. Could you elaborate?

A: The intention of the respondent is to refute the charges and legal arguments levelled by the complainant. This should be our task as well. We should remind them about the severe hardship we faced due to LTTE atrocities. We must remind the UNHRC that at that time both parents would never travel in the same vehicle, our lives were at risk.

There was no guarantee. That was the era we experienced. The hardship encountered must be made known to the world. My view is that we must face the issue while maintaining cordial relations with all countries. We should follow a non- alligned policy. We must face this issue in an intelligent manner.

Q: The Government will score a resounding victory at the Southern and Western Provincial Council Elections. Will this mandate be a strong weapon to resist the anti-Sri Lankan crusade at the UNHRC sessions next month?

A: The election victory would have an impact on this anti-Sri Lankan crusade at the UNHRC. The election victory may help. As a Government, we should respond to the issues raised at the UNHRC. Even a court case cannot be won without refuting legal arguments that are put forward. The Government has to adopt such a strategy at the UNHRC. When a court case is heard, sometimes the judge may get the impression that the respondent party is somewhat fair.

Because the judge is also a human being so that respondent would get the advantage of that case. As a former police officer, I am aware of such instances. Likewise, this voting at the UNHRC may also bring some advantage to Sri Lanka. Otherwise the mandate at the PC polls is not adequate to defeat this internal onslaught against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC.

Q: Instances are rare where election law violators have been prosecuted and punished despite preliminary Police investigations. Could you explain?

A: An offence is an offence whoever commits it. Even if a UPFA candidate commits an offence, we should be held responsible. We must prevent such acts as it would smear the Government’s image.

If a Government is engaged in a clean journey with a far-sighted vision, it should not resort to any move which would tarnish its image. We have advised our candidates to strictly adhere to election laws when they engage in election campaigns. However, some candidates resort to illegal acts to defeat the opponent. This is the trend now.

The majority of the people are intelligent voters. Therefore, they will select suitable candidates. Sometimes people even vote for casino owners, drug dealers, liquor shop owners and ethanol importers. It is the people who vote and allow such notorious characters to enter politics.

I request the people not to elect anyone who has engaged in illegal acts and breached the law. Sometimes the media is also responsible in promoting the image of such racketeers. Referring to a recent cartoon in a newspaper depicting a son of a minister who was tattooed with tinted hair asking his father whether he could come into politics and the minister in turn queries then who will carry on his drug business?

This type of cartoon will create a negative impression about all children of Ministers. I have two sons and two daughters. They have done their higher education in foreign countries.

But none of them have gone to a night club or even worn a dress which does not suit our culture. However, it is regrettable that the media puts all politicians and their children in the same boat. The people should elect dignified and law abiding people as public representatives.

Q: This time nominations have been given to siblings of politicians. This casts a doubt as to whether those who are more qualified have been sidelined. What is the position?

A: It is up to the people to decide. If the people don’t like any Minister’s son they can reject him. My son contested twice in the Central Provincial Council and obtained the highest percentage of preferential votes from Matale, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. That was mainly due to the confidence the people placed on me and my son.

If we accept this argument, people such as my son also cannot come into politics. That is not fair. It is up to the people to identify these characters.

Q: No nominations have been given to artistes. Does this not amount to social discrimination?

A: There are reputed artistes in this country. There are veteran and reputed artistes of the calibre of W.D.Amaradeva, Nanda Malini, Victor Ratnayake, Sunil Edirisinghe, T.M.Jayaratne, Jayalath Manoratne and Nissanka Diddeniya. People love them irrespective of their political affiliations.

I think this issue came up due to the attempts made to give nominations to a few actresses and various comments made by them later on. The truth is that we should only select reputed artistes who can go before the people. Popular actors such as Gamini Fonseka and Vijaya Kumaratunga entered politics but nobody criticised them. It is said that Gamini Fonseka was the best Deputy Speaker the Parliament ever had. Vijaya Kumaratunga was a humanitarian politician. I think artistes have not been undermined or discriminated. But it might have happened due to attempts made by a few upcoming artistes.

Q: The Opposition says that peace dividends have not been passed down to the people, despite the Government’s claim that a violence free society where people freely move about has been created.. Your views?

A: At present there is a publicity trend speculating all over the world. We could see how such publicity trends started in Libya, Egypt and later spread to Syria as well. Now modern technology is used for various unwanted purposes. As a result, various unnecessary problems are created. Technology enables the spread of any news all over the world within a few seconds. I think this issue has come up as a result. I don’t know whether this view expressed by me is hundred percent correct or not. Problems may come up when a country is ruled by one particular Government for a long time.

It is a natural phenomenon. Earlier there was the “rotation system” changing governments every fives years. It happened during the UNP regime. But that is not because of the rulers.

It is a common phenomenon occurring due to the time frame. If we all think and work as one Sri Lankan nation, we will find solutions to our internal problems. As the Minister of Lands when I go to Jaffna, politicians in Jaffna requested me to provide solutions to the lands of the Tamil people. But I categorically told them there are no specific lands known as Tamil people’s lands. There are no Sinhala people’s or Muslim people’s lands as well. Only Sri Lankans' lands are in our country. If we don't think as one Sri Lankan nation , these problems may exarcebate. We all should think as Sri Lankans. Our birth certificates, driving licenses, passport, we should mention as Sri Lankan. If we try to divide people based on ethnicity, various problems may arise.

Q: There are numerous allegations that politicians of all hues have appropriated state lands for personnel gain and no action has been taken to check such abuse. Could you explain?

A: I have already taken a series of measures to check these malpractices. But I don't like to talk what former Land Ministers have done. I can talk about the steps taken by me. We have already filed over 200 court cases against politicians, Government officials and provincial politicians who have committed fraudulent land deals. Some Divisional Secretaries have also been found guilty. Incidents have been reported where some state lands have been sold to the private sector by placing forged signature and seals of District Secretaries.

At present investigations are being conducted in the Batticaloa district and Wanathavilluwa from where most of these land malpractices have been reported. Justifiable inquiries on these incidents will be carried out.

No room will be given to anybody to acquire state lands in an illegal manner. At present many land malpractices have taken place. The Ministry is now in the process of taking legal action against those responsible. We will not pardon to those who have committed such rackets.

Q: There are also allegations that the owners of private lands have not been compensated for land acquired by the Government. Is there any truth in this allegation?

A: Earlier private lands were acquired by the Government for essential purposes. The Government commenced development in those lands after evacuating people from that land.

Its value was also estimated later. As a result the owners were helpless. We must realise that when private land is acquired there is disruption on all sides for the owner. We looked at their grievances from a humane aspect. I also moved a bill in Parliament on Tuesday regarding this. According to this bill, the Government will not only give compensation, it will also look into other issues faced by the owner.

Q: Is the Opposition trying to gain political mileage by instigating slum dwellers against the Government’s city development projects?

A: This is the task of the Opposition. This is normal even if we were in the Opposition we would react in a similar manner. Because an Opposition must create some issue against the Government. The Opposition cannot be blamed.. However this Opposition is ideal for the Government. Is it not okay to give a two-roomed house with a kitchen and toilet to a family who lived in a slum?

Slum dwellers should not look at the area of their house. They should be happy about getting a new house with all basic facilities.

This shows the human aspect government is looking into considering the plight of slum dwellers. Slum dwellers should thank the Government for the attempt made to change their miserable lifestyle.

Q: How do you assess the impact of the JVP on the country's politics under the new leadership of Anura Kumara Dissanayake?

A: I think Anura Dissanayake is an upcoming young politician who has never indulged in politicking and other unsavoury practices. He is a politician with principles. Dissanayake's leadership has given a new dimension to the JVP. It is obvious that the youth are attracted by the new JVP Leader .

According to the present plight faced by the JVP, I don't think they will be the third force in the country. But I wish the JVP would play a legitimate role in the political arena under its new leadership.