SriLankan and Mihin Air to be made viable ventures -Minister Piyankara Jayaratne

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne said the UNP's No Confidence Motion had no substance. Other Opposition parties were not even signatories to the Motion as they were fully aware that former UNP Governments were responsible for such scenarios in the past. Allegations levelled against the Government by the UNP boomeranged on them. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said the UNP obviously knows that this is a stable Government and is not in a position whatsoever to change its composition in Parliament. The Government is strong with regard to its composition in Parliament and from the point of view of development.

The Minister said this SLFP- led coalition Government represents several political parties. All the constituent parties of the UPFA maintain a single view on major issues. However, President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ensured the right of other constituent parties to preserve their political ideology. We should be thankful to the President for providing this opportunity as a democratic leader. If these two constituent partners of the UPFA abstained from voting, the Government could have defeated the No Confidence Motion with a two thirds majority. This alliance was formed because of the SLFP. That is why we hold these ministerial portfolios. If this alliance was not formed, some of the constituent parties of the UPFA would have no where to go.

Q: The UNP's No Confidence Motion was an attempt to embarrass the Government rather than adhering to democratic norms. Your comments?

A: The UNP resorts to criticising the Government. That Motion moved by the UNP was overturned. Because the allegations levelled against the Government by the UNP originated during their regime. It boomeranged on them. The UNP obviously knows this is a stable Government and are not in a position to change its composition in Parliament. The Government is strong whether it's the composition in Parliament or in the sphere of development. Levelling baseless allegations against the Government may be a part of the role played by the Opposition. But what happened was the UNP had to accept those allegations. As Government members highlighted in their speeches, the UNP is responsible for introducing the open economy. The present Government under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has implemented the 'Mathata thitha' concept to prevent the spread of liquor consumption and the drug menace. If we want to build a country with moral values, this 'Mathata thitha' policy should be implemented. The Government maintains that view.

Q: The UNP's No Confidence Motion was ill-timed. Apart from the lack of any support from the DNA and TNA. What went wrong?

A: This is the UNPs task , not the task of the common Opposition. The UNP has faced severe problems with regard to leadership and the Leadership Council as well. The UNP with the signatures of 30 MPs submitted this No Confidence Motion to see whether they could change the mentality of party members. But these 30 UNP members are not the joint Opposition. Other Opposition parties are not signatories to the Motion. It had absolutely no substance. Other Opposition parties didn't sign because they are aware that it was former UNP Governments that are responsible for creating this situation within the country.

Q: By abstaining from voting at the No Confidence Motion against the Government, two constituent partners of the UPFA have blatantly violated the collective responsibility of Cabinet. How do you analyse this situation?

A: This is a SLFP- led coalition Government and it is represented by several political parties. But all the constituent parties of the UPFA maintain one particular view on major issues. However, the President has ensured the right of other constituent parties to preserve their political ideology. We should be thankful to the President for providing this opportunity as a democratic leader. If these two constituent partners of the UPFA abstained from voting, the Government could defeat the Motion with a two thirds majority. However, politically we regret the decision taken by these two parties. This alliance was formed because of the SLFP. That is why we hold these ministerial portfolios. If this SLFP- led alliance was not formed, some of these constituent parties of the UPFA would have no where to go. Even some of the smaller parties of the UPFA have fulfilled their responsibility. When a No Confidence Motion is moved against the Government, as constituent partners of the Government, they have a collective responsibility to stand with the Government. It is irrelevant in which direction they are heading. Even today the UPFA has the ability to move forward as a stable Government.

Q: The Opposition is all out to field a common candidate at the next Presidential Election. Will it be a success?

A: The only common candidate in this country is President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Opposition Leader, Sarath Fonseka and some Buddhist monks are also trying to contest for the Presidential Election as common candidates. Instead of fielding one common candidate, several common candidates are to contest from the Opposition for the next Presidential Election. Whatever common candidates come from the Opposition, the majority of the people have already accepted President Rajapaksa as the only capable common candidate in this country.

Q: What is the impact of the Bharathiya Janatha Party victory on Sri Lanka, specially with regard to Sri Lankan Tamils?

A: What we witness in the past was that the former Indian Government was under pressure from the various provinces. There were instances when India had to remain silent at the UNHRC sessions in Geneva due to pressure exerted by these provincial governments. The newly- elected Indian Prime Minister categorically stated that they would not interfere into the internal problems of other countries. At the recent UNHRC sessions, India abstained from voting on the resolution moved against Sri Lanka, because they realised later that they would not get votes and form a stable Government if they work in favour of pro-LTTE elements in India. The new Indian premier also expressed his willingness to cooperate with Sri Lanka in a friendly manner. I think this is a positive sign of development on our part which would pave the way to strengthen our bilateral ties. India has formed a stable Government. We are happy about that new political transformation.

Q: The allegation that the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport is underutilised which amounts to a loss of revenue to the country. Is there any truth in this?

A: First I would like to thank the group of UNP MPs who visited Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA). They obtained my prior permission to visit the airport. My regret is because Opposition MPs Ravi Karunanayake, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Anura Kumara Dissanayake who make a hue and cry about MRIA were not among them. These MPs always raise questions about the Mattala Airport. I requested them to visit the airport and see for themselves the actual situation. At present the MRIA is open to international air traffic and several airlines have joined. Rotana Jet company also commenced flight operations to MRIA from last month. We are discussing with several airlines to fly via MRIA. We have provided special facilities to MRIA. We have given priority to this airport. MRIA is now turning into a profit-making venture. Airport cannot be turned into profit- making ventures overnight. Airlines don’t commence operations as soon as an airport is opened. It has to be planned over several years and permission has to be obtained from various countries. The airlines should get permission from us as well. It will take time. It has been just one year since MRIA was opened. This would turn into an effective airport within the next year. Since the opening of MRIA on March 18, 2013, it has handled 1,514 flights, 36,137 passenger movements and 64,380 cargo movements.

Q: Do you have any plans to expand domestic flights to develop tourism?

A: At present steps have been taken to develop domestic airports due to the significant increase of tourist arrivals made to Sri Lanka. Now discussions will commence for several domestic airlines to use it. At present we have done feasibility studies to set up domestic airports in Batticaloa, Ampara, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Palavi. I would make an inspection tour on May 28, 29 and 30 to look into the progress on the construction of the Kandy, Ampara and Batticaloa domestic airports. Many domestic airlines have already sent applications to the Civil Aviation Authority expressing willingness to commence domestic flight operations. In addition, Ratmalana Airport is developed as a City Airport to operate corporate Jets.

The efficiency of the Bandaranaike International (BIA) Airport has been improved. There is significant improvement in passenger movement handled by the BIA. When I assumed office, the total number of passenger movement handled by the BIA was four to five million. This will increase to 7.3 million by the end of next year. At present the BIA has the capacity of handling nearly six million passenger movements. We hope to commence stage 2 of the BIA project by the end of this year to provide room for nine million passenger movements. At present, we are making these arrangements. We hope to ceremonially commence stage 2 of the BIA project under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa in November this year. We anticipate that the BIA would have the capacity and required facilities to handle nearly 15 million passengers by 2015. A series of flights are scheduled to come to BIA by the end of this year and in mid next year. Cabinet approval has been granted to complete the second stage of the BIA project by 2015.

Q: The Opposition argues that Mihin Air is running at a loss due to lack of managerial skills to streamline administration. Is there any truth in these allegations?

A: When a new airline commences, we incur some loss. The Ministry has given necessary guidelines to minimise the loss incurred by Mihin Air. We have already made a series of changes within the Mihin Air administration. We have appointed a new Chairman to Mihin Air. I am making a study through an independent panel about the situation in Mihin Air. We are also studying a five- year plan for SriLankan Airlines. We hope to rectify the shortcomings and turn SriLankan and Mihin Air into viable ventures. When we look at the world, 99 percent of airlines are running at a loss. At present Malaysian Airlines is facing a severe crisis. Several Indian Airlines have closed. We are proud to say that even today, that SriLankan Airlines amidst various hardship is preserving the Sri Lankan identity. The present aircraft used by SriLankan is too old and nearly 50 percent is spent on fuel cost. We will purchase new aircraft when our lease agreements ends in 2016, 2017 and 2019. This would help minimise cost and earn profit. Today there is severe competition in the airline industry. We have to compete with Middle Eastern countries as they have new aircraft with sophisticated facilities. Our fleet should also be brought to that standard. We are in the process of doing that.

Q: Unlike in the past, today sections of youth have ventured into advance studies such as aeronautical engineering. What are the prospects for jobs for them here?

A: Various private sector institutions have also requested from us. We hope to commence these training courses at Mattala International Airport and Palavi Domestic Airport. There would be a worldwide demand for these training courses. Nearly 250,000 new aircraft would ply the air by 2020. Therefore, there will be a shortage of 250,000 pilots, nearly 400,000 aeronautical engineers and other required resources in the aviation sector such as air hostesses. If we can produce this resource within our country to cater to this demand, it would be an advantage. We have laid emphasis on this matter. At present SriLankan Airlines and the Ratmalana Aeronautical Training School conduct various courses and Degrees relating to the civil aviation sector. Arrangements have been made by the Government to commence a new Pilots and Engineers Training Centre at Hambantota. The Civil Aviation Authority also conducts programs to educate children in rural schools how to seek training for employment opportunities available in the civil aviation sector.

Q: What is the aviation sector's contribution to promoting tourism in the country?

A: Nearly 70 to 75 percent tourists are brought to Sri Lanka by SriLankan Airlines. It has made the biggest contribution towards the Government’s endeavour of promoting tourism in the country.

Q: There is a huge potential for fisheries, tourism and industries in the North and Eastern Provinces. Are there any new projects launched in these sectors at present?

A:We have taken steps to establish new domestic airports in Batticaloa and Ampara areas. The Central Government has invited businessmen and investors to commence their projects in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Some of our Tamil brothers who left this country due to threat of terrorism have become billionaire businessmen today. Now they have the opportunity to come back to Sri Lanka and invest in their lands. The Government is committed to provide them required facilities.

Q: Students, teachers, workers and unemployed youth demonstrations seem to be the order of the day. What underlies these demonstrations?

A: It is a clear testimony that democracy prevails. Under the leadership of the President, anybody has the freedom to engage in any demonstration or express their views. We have ensured this freedom within the UPFA Government as well. Because freedom has been given to the constituent parties of the UPFA to express their views freely. During the period of late President J.R. Jayewardene, letters were obtained from each UNP MP and their freedom of expression was restricted. If a UNP MP made any contradictory statement against then Government, he was immediately sacked from his post. But President Rajapaksa has never resorted to such moves. Any citizen in this country has the right to make any criticism about the Government. At present even if an elephant strayed onto the road, people protest against that. But it is regrettable that some bankrupt political parties who can never come into power attempt to misuse innocent youth and people to gain narrow political objectives. This kind of unhealthy trend would destabilise the country and create disunity among communities. Certain rules and regulations should also be put in place to deal with such situations. If the people think of their motherland irrespective of differences, it would be easy to develop this country.

Q: The wildcat strikes by the health sector and railways have caused irreparable damage to community life. Can't the Government ban such strikes or introduce a system to protect community from such strikes?

A: As I mentioned earlier, first we should think of our country. Those who engage in strikes victimise innocent people. As a Government, it is not difficult for us to bring regulation to restrict them. We have to consider whether this problem will be sorted out once we impose rules and regulations. This is a country which faced a 30 year terrorist war. All other countries which fought against terrorism did not succeed in their battle. As Sri Lankans, we should be happy after the eradication of terrorism, Sri Lanka is developing as an emerging country in Asia. If everybody think as one nation regardless of petty differences at least till the country is rebuilt, then we can talk about our rights. I think those who resort to such wildcat strikes will have to first do a self criticism.

Q: It has been observed that inter-communal harmony has been slightly dented due to the religious extremism posed by some extremist organisations during the recent past. How do you look at this situation?

A: Certain religious extremist groups have undertaken the UNP contracts of strengthening foreign conspiracies. We should act in a responsible manner. Religion should exist as a religion. It is not meant to govern this country. The conduct of some extremist religious groups has become a threat to inter-communal harmony. At present all Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities are living in harmony. If certain elements hatch conspiracies to destabilise national unity, people will have to seriously consider it and take relevant decisions regarding that.