Tamil vote a decisive
factor in Canada and UK :
Playing second fiddle to Tamil diaspora - Minister S.B. Dissanayake
*Opportunity for people in North to exercise
franchise:
*Didn't defeat LTTE using satellite technology or
nuclear power:
By Uditha Kumarasinghe
Higher Education Minister S.B. Dissanayake said the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay and the UN should realise
that it is the Tamil people in the North who have gained the biggest
advantage after the end of the 30- year war on terrorism. The Minister
told the Sunday Observer that after 1977, President Mahinda Rajapaksa
gave the opportunity to the people in the North to exercise their
franchise and elect their representatives.
The Minister said the world as a whole has benefited with the
eradication of the world's most dangerous terrorist outfit by President
Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, the US, the UK and Canada didn't envisage
that Sri Lanka would defeat the world's most powerful terrorist leader
and his outfit. "We didn't defeat LTTE with the use of satellite
technology or nuclear power. Our Security Forces defeated the LTTE with
mental and physical power. The West is envious over this achievement. We
defeated terrorism through a home-grown mechanism. The US thinks this
would set a precedent to other countries, that is why they continuously
bludgeon Sri Lanka.
Q: The UNP alleges that the attack on the UNP fact- finding mission
at Hambantota is Government sponsored. Is there any truth in this?
A: If a UNP fact-finding mission wanted to visit Hambantota, firstly
they should have informed the district leader and former UNP Deputy
Leader Sajith Premadasa. This is the ethical manner they should have
adopted. As a former UNPer, I am even aware if any UNP member goes to a
funeral. This is the accepted procedure of any political party. This
group of UNP members had gone to Hambantota violating party procedure.
I am well aware of this as I was the first National Organiser of the
UNP. Sajith Premadasa must be angry about the move taken by these UNP
MPs. I think a faction of the UNP was behind this act to raise the ire
of SLFPers and the members of the Hambantota Urban Council who respect
and love President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa.
Genuine
If the UNP genuinely wanted to go on a fact-finding mission, they
could have informed Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa, UPFA MP Namal Rajapaksa or
Minister Mahinda Amaraweera. Then they would have been welcomed and
treated well. The Hambantota Port, Mattala international airport and
international conference hall are the pride of our party. Who would not
want to show them to anybody? When the UNP fact-finding mission went to
Hambantota in a mysterious manner, even without informing the district
leader, a minor clash occurred. This was not a major incident. Their
security officers had not even informed the Police stations about the
visit. They have not followed party guidelines.
If they went with good intention, they would have informed a
Government parliamentarian so that he could make necessary arrangements
to treat them well. This incident occurred due to the irresponsible
conduct of these UNP MPs.
Q: Is there any invisible hand behind the disruptive elements
operating in the country. Are they not being aided and abetted to effect
a regime change?
A: Those who went on that fact- finding mission to Hambantota are
prominent members who gather information to feed foreign elements and
carry tales to get a few dollars. They adopt various strategies and
resort to various actions to satisfy the needs of these international
forces.
Q: It is clear that Canada's decision to stop its contribution to the
Commonwealth, UNHRC investigation on Sri Lanka and the allegation of
human rights violations and absence of rule of law are orchestrated by
the international Tamil vote. Would you agree to this proposition?
A: An LTTEer is in the Canadian Parliament as well. Though Canada is
a huge country, comparatively it ha a small population. Therefore, they
need human resource. During the past few years, thousands of Tamils
migrated to Canada. They have engaged in various white collar and blue
collar jobs in Canada.
Canadian citizens
Today most of them are Canadian citizens. Their vote is decisive to
Canadian politicians. Most Canadian politicians don't even know where
Sri Lanka is. But they do what is requested by the Tamil diaspora. We
should not take this seriously. A similar situation prevails in England.
There are about 7000 to 8000 Sri Lankan Tamil votes in four or five
boroughs in London. These votes are also decisive. UK politiciansare
also doing various things targeting elections. But the UN and the world
should realise what is happening.
Q: The US and EU initiative in adopting one resolution after another
looks absurd in the face of grave human rights violations in Iraq,
Afghanistan and Libya by the star democracies. What made them to single
out a small country like Sri Lanka for punitive action?
A: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says that
she is a South African and that she is a Tamil. The biggest problem
faced by the Tamil diaspora worldwide is that they don't have their own
homeland. Navi Pillay must also be thinking that. But they should ask
for a separate homeland from South India, not from us. South India is
the origin of the Tamil community.
There is no use of focusing on Sri Lanka. Navi Pillay and the UN
should realise it is the Tamil people in the North who have gained with
the ending of 30 years of the war on terrorism. Housing and Census
statistics of 2012 have been released now. Nearly 85 percent in Jaffna,
Mannar and Kilinochchi districts are those who have migrated into these
areas..
They have lived in other areas during these thirty years and have now
returned to their original places. They have not lived in Jaffna, Mannar,
Vavuniya or Kilinochchi during Prabhkaran's terror regime . It was
Prabhakaran who killed thousands of Tamil children of the EPDP, EPRLF,
EROS and TELO. He killed all TULF and Federal Tamil political leaders in
Jaffna. Today that death threat doesn' t exist anymore.
The people in the North and the East are free from the clutches of
LTTE terrorism. And they gained the maximum advantage. However, they
voted against the Government but that is a different scenario. That is
the nature of racism and inter-religious extremism. Prabhakaran forcibly
recruited at least one child from each family in Jaffna. Most of those
children were killed. These families harbour some hatred against the
Government and the majority community. This mindset will change in time
to come.
Free and fair
We inturn should not look at this with hatred. After 1977, it was
President Mahinda Rajapaksa who enabled a free and fair election to the
North to elect their representatives. India and the world gained with
the eradication of LTTE terrorism from Sri Lankan soil. It was India
which was seriously affected with the threat of LTTE terrorism. The LTTE
assassinated Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Jaya Lalitha and
Karunanidhi were hiding then due to the fear of the LTTE. Today there is
no such threat.
The world has gained with the eradication of the world's most
dangerous terrorist outfit by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The US, UK
and Canada didn't envisage that Sri Lanka would defeat the world's most
feared terrorist leader and his organisation. We didn't defeat the LTTE
with the use of satellite technology or nuclear power. Our Security
Forces defeated the LTTE with their mental and physical power. The West
is envious over this achievement.
They are trying to bludgeon us. We didn't listen to the US, UK,
Canada or even the UN Secretary General. We defeated terrorism with a
home-grown mechanism. The US thinks this would set an example to other
countries, that is why they attempt to continuously bludgeon Sri Lanka.
If India takes Sri Lanka's side tomorrow, the US will withdraw their
decision. At present South Asia has become a big problem to the US.
China, Vietnam, India and Sri Lanka are emerging by overtaking US,
Canada and Europe.
Q: The Government's proscription of LTTE front organisations is a
step in the right direction. How is that these dangerous organisations
preaching violence are allowed to flourish in star democracies?
A: One has to get economic benefits through such organisations as
they are needed during their elections. Tamil votes gives an advantage
to these countries during elections. This would also provide an
opportunity for these star democracies to embarrass a leader of a small
country like us because we didn't bow down before them.
Deliberate attempts
At present deliberate attempts are made by the US and Europe to
create problems within Asia due to severe economic setbacks faced by
them. They attempt to strengthen their military power within Asia. They
are operating against us as a joint front.
Q: When countries such as Singapore and Malaysia too have set up
casinos which operate within the framework of the country's laws, why is
there such a mass opposition against casinos in Sri Lanka?
A: It was the UNP which brought casinos and the Jackpot to Sri Lanka.
The UNP allowed casinos at five star hotels in Sri Lanka. Then President
R.Premadasa closely associated casino king Jo Sim who came to Sri Lanka
from Singapore to operate casinos. He even used official vehicles and
pistols of Government Ministers.
Those who oppose casinos hate to accelerate development within the
country. Even today casinos are operating freely in Colombo and the
suburbs. But nobody wants these shut down because they benefit from
them. When a new mixed development project is to commence, they
vehemently oppose it.
Attempts are being made by the Government to develop the country
through tourism. The Government's intention is to turn Sri Lanka into a
trade, naval and aviation hub in the region. When investors come to Sri
Lanka to commence business ventures whether we like it or not we have to
provide the facilities they require.
Rejected
Certain things which are rejected by us maybe essential components
for tourists. If we want to develop the tourism industry, we have to
provide these facilities. If we want we can ban this for the locals.
Q: Compared to other countries in the region, Sri Lanka's 7.3 percent
GDP growth is remarkable. How do you counter the Opposition argument
that the country is indebted to the world and living standards continue
to remain unchanged?
A: These are absurd arguments made by the Opposition. We should look
at reality. Poverty has declined to 4.6 percent and inflation remains at
a single digit over the past seven to eight years. Unemployment has is
below five percent.
When poverty and unemployment drops below 5 percent, then that
country is said to be free from poverty and unemployment. When President
Mahinda Rajapaksa took over the country in 2005, the country's per
capita income was US$ 900. At present this has reached US$ 3800.
Only 1.07 percent shanties are there in our country. People can
witness development in the country.
Sri Lanka is emerging as a key country in the region. There is no
absurd statement than the Opposition's claim that country is indebted.
We toppled the then Chandrika Kumaratunga government at a decisive
moment. We quit that Government with lot of pain. I even resigned from
the post of General Secretary and ministerial portfolio. When we toppled
Chandrika Kumaratunga's Government, the debt ratio had gone up 99
percent of the GDP. During Ranil Wickremesinghe's Government, the debt
ratio went up to 106 percent.
I was a Minister of that Government as well. President Mahinda
Rajapaksa took over the Government when the debt ratio was at 106
percent. At present it is reduced to 77 percent. Then what is this
absurd argument made by the UNP? The Government maintains the loan
interest rate below 2 percent. Excepting calling them donkieswhat else
can they be called? They should refer the relevant statistics of 2012.
Q: You were bold enough to put an end to inhuman ragging in
universities and expose the so-called socialists violent disposition in
their attempt to sabotage university administration. Could you
elaborate?
A: Ragging is just an isolated incident in universities. The LTTE and
the JVP used ragging as a tool to turn university students into being
their slaves. During the 1984 and 1985 period , the LTTE and the JVP
deprived the freedom university students had to elect student leaders
through elections. Attempts were made to appoint student leaders from
the JVP and LTTE lists. Vice Chancellors had to accept that list.
If anybody tried to contest they were killed. We have changed that
situation. Ragging has been reduced to a great extent. Now students are
changing their attitudes. Over 90 percent of university lecturers are
cooperating with us. A massive change has been made in the universities.
Now the universities are going up in world ranking.
Q: You took steps to set up branches of foreign universities in Sri
Lanka since India too has done so. Could you explain how it benefits Sri
Lankan students and the motive of those who oppose such a progressive
move?
A: Some oppose to this move and take political advantage to instigate
students. Others oppose to this due to ignorance. This argument is
simple. Annually 300000 students sit for the G.C.E. Advanced Level
Examination. Of them 150,000 qualify for higher education. Now student
intake to universities has increased by 300 percent. The student intake
in 2005 was 9000, now it is 27,000. Another 125000 students are outside.
Student intake
Whatever steps are taken to increase student intake, nearly 100,000
students are deprived of higher education opportunities. Of them nearly
10,000 to 12,000 students go abroad for higher studies. As a result, we
lose foreign exchange. Some students go to Bangladesh, Pakistan and
Nepal which are nearly a 100 years behind when compared with our
educational standards.
These students undergo hardship in these countries to continue their
higher studies.
We can offer them a higher standard degree in Sri Lanka at reasonable
cost. This opportunity can also be given to children in the Asian region
as well. We hope Sri Lanka can be developed as a key educational hub in
Asia so that it would bring economic benefit to the country.
Q: As a former National Organiser of the UNP, how would you explain
the present senile decay of such a national political organisation?
A: This is an important question. Because even some of the members of
the UPFA made baseless remarks on the outcome of the recent Provincial
Council Election results. As a result, the UNP and the JVP said that
they showed a political comeback. The PC election results were compared
with the 2009 election results.
Defeating
That 2009 Provincial Council Election was held when President Mahinda
Rajapaksa was reaching the peak of defeating the most ruthless terrorist
outfit in the world. I think UNP MPs like Karu Jayasuriya may have also
voted for the Government at that election.
When we look at the overall elections held in the country, then Prime
Minister Sirima Bandaranaike gained two thirds power in 1970.
If two thirds majority was gained by the SLFP in 1970, the UNP had
obtained 100000 majority votes than the SLFP. But the UNP secured only
seven seats in Parliament. J.R. Jayewardene gained five sixth majority
in Parliament in 1977.
But nowhere the UNP's majority votes were not increased rather than
the total number of votes obtained by the SLFP. R.Premadasa won the
Presidential Election by a majority of nearly 200,000 votes.
Recount
If another 22000 votes were reduced, they would have gone for a
second recount. First time Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga obtained
700,000 majority votes. When she contested the second time, this was
reduced to 300,000 majority votes.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa won 2005 Presidential Election by a
190,000 majority votes. However, he won 2010 Presidential Election by
over majority of 1.8 million votes.
At the recently concluded Provincial Council elections, the majority
votes obtained by the UPFA are higher than the total number of votes
obtained by the UNP.
Since 1975, the JVP remained as the third force. They have come down
to fourth place.
This was not an election held to topple the Government. At these
elections, the people have clearly shown the confidence reposed on the
President and the Government and their disappointment over the UNP and
the JVP.
Q: You have a chequered political career as you have changed your
political convictions time and again. How would you justify this?
A: I don't regret what I have done in the past. I came from Russia to
contest the 1977 General Election. But I faced a massive defeat as I
obtained only 421 votes. Even today I am happy about it. After that I
joined the SLFP and was continuously in parliament since 1989.
The eleven-year administration of former President Chandrika
Bandaranaike Kumaratunga was pathetic. There was an economic recession
during 2007 to 2009.
However, President Mahinda Rajapaksa successfully faced the crisis.
Our y economy developed during that period. This is the strength of the
Mahinda Chintana. There was no such crisis in the world in 1999 and
2000. But our debt burden went up to 99 percent and the country's
economy for the first time recorded a 1.4 percent negative growth during
former President Kumaratunga's regime.
I toppled her Government at that crucial stage. I have some pleasure
over it. After that she sent me to jail and she may be happy about it. I
too am happy about my imprisonment because I wrote 10 books when I was
in jail. I have also written about President Kumaratunga and her father
as well. I think the decisions taken by me in the past are correct.
Today I am satisfied with fulfilling my tasks under President Mahinda
Rajapaksa's leadership. Development is going on apace a surprising the
world. Higher education is complex but, I am fulfilling it with
satisfaction. |