We are confident of UNP victory - Gayan Sanjeewa

by Ranil Wijayapala

Gayan Sanjeewa, as a young UNP activist, entered politics after contesting the Weligama Pradeshiya Saba election. When all the UNP members of the Weligama Pradeshiya Saba joined the UPFA in 2009 he chose to remain with the party. Later he contested the Provincial Council election 2009 from Matara district and came second in the UNP list. This time too he is contesting the Provincial Council Election hoping for UNP victory in the Southern Provincial Council. The Sunday Observer interviewed him on the forthcoming Southern Provincial Council election at his residence in Matara.

Here are excerpts of the interview:

Q: What progress do you see in the UNP election campaign in the Matara district?

A: When we launched the election campaign we had our reservations as to whether we could achieve success in our campaign. As our campaign progressed we realised that the UNP could easily muster the support of the voters in the district.

Many people who have voted for the UPFA at earlier elections join us as they are disillusioned with the programs launched by the Government.

Therefore, we have good reason to hope for success in the Matara district.

Q:Those who were with you in the Opposition joined hands with the Government in 2009, although you chose to remain with the party. Do you repent over your decision?

A: I am extremely happy about the decision I had taken not to join the UPFA. As a young member I knew that United National Party had done a great service to the country and would continue to do so in the future too.

I am sure the UNP will get the opportunity to form a government again to serve the country.

Therefore, I would continue to remain a UNPer in the future too and will not leave the party under any circumstances.

It is always after a long and difficult period that the political parties get the chance to form Governments.

Since people are disappointed with the government, we will soon be able to topple this government and form a UNP government. I am sure I may get the opportunity to serve the people of Matara better after being elected to parliament.

Q: If I say you are representing the young generation of the country, is there room for the youth in your party?

A: The Government says that the young generation and the freshers do not have opportunities in our party. That is only a misconception. It is the UPFA which is more concerned with the UNP and its leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

They are very much concerned about our leader because they know that he is a challenge to the government as he is one of the intelligent and senior political leaders in the country. That is why they are creating such misconceptions among people.

I completely reject such misconceptions as we have ample opportunities in our party as young members.

I have joined the party from an ordinary family and my mother was a teacher and my father was an Army officer.

I did not have any political background when I joined the party. But I was given the ticket to contest the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha and the Provincial Council election in 2009.

I came second in the UNP list last time and this time I have been given the chance to contest the PC election.

Therefore, I believe the UNP is the best party for the youth to succeed in politics.

Q: It seems that the United National Party has been split into groups.

What is its impact on the UNP campaign in the Matara district?

A: Prior to the election campaign there were lots of disputes within the party on the leadership. All such disputes have since been settled and the party members are working as one team for the forthcoming election. We know that Sajith Premadasa is running the UNP election campaign with much enthusiasm in the Hambantota district.

In Matara district too the UNP candidates are working as one team. I accept that there were problems within the party about six months ago.

But we have solved all those problems and we are today marching towards the victory as one group.

Q: The election campaign of the UNP is in a lethargic mood and it was launched at the tale end of the campaign ?

A: I do not accept it. We have ample time to do our election campaign and we are going ahead with our plans targeting victory.

Q: How do you expect to work in the Matara district as a team ?

A: We are expecting a clear victory for the UNP in the Matara district. We are sure that we will win at the Southern Provincial Council. I am sure the UNP will launch its campaign to topple the government from the Southern Province.

Q: But nothing had favourable to UNP happened after every election. Do you think that the same thin will repeat this time too ?

A: I can't comment what has happened in the past. I know the people in the south are more intelligent and they know how to change the governments. When the UNP was going on the wrong track the people in the South voted against it. The same will happen to this government too at this election.

Q: Do you have a proper program for the southern province under the UNP ?

A: We know the education in the province is in total disarray and the health sector has broken down. As a party which has a very good history of running governments we have proper plans to improve these sectors.

The UNP ran the country from 1977 to 1994.

Therefore it has gathered very good experience. The parties like JVP and the Democratic Party have presented new programs. I am sure that we will be able to do a better service to the province .

Q: Do you get enough support from other leaders in the district ?

A: There is no question about it. All the UNP candidates are working as one group why the UPFA candidates are fighting each other for preferential votes. When all the 20 UNP candidates are addressing the people in one platform the UPFA has failed to get at least two candidates onto the stage. We are working together to defeat the UPFA with the support of all the leaders in the district.

Q: How confident are you about the victory of the UNP ?

A: As I mentioned earlier I am confident about our victory as lots of people are disappointed with the Government at present .

They no longer have the faith in the government as they cannot bear the sky-rocketing cost of living. They are not in a position to have three meals a day.

Therefore, they are ready to give the correct message to the Government on March 29.