A true Sri Lankan identity-the need of the hour - Minister Rajitha Senaratne

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that some politicians throughout history contributed to racial discord for political gain. In our neighbouring country India, this has never happened. That is why they have a united India. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said there are many more races in India in comparison to Sri Lanka and nearly 64 languages are spoken, but the manner in which the Indian politicians conduct themselves has led to creating a united India. In India if anyone is asked what his nationality is, he would say Indian. This is what we have to build- a truly Sri Lankan identity. To build a Sri Lankan identity, we have to respect each and every community. Once that is accomplished and equal rights are ensured to all, a Sri Lankan identity will become a reality.

Dr. Senaratne said all extremist organisations named after communities and conduct propaganda on communal or religious grounds should be banned immediately. All communities should work towards reconciliation. If we can reach an understanding with the Tamil community and the TNA, nobody can interfere with our internal affairs. We can then get together and take a united stand and tell the world of our unity. This is what we must do to overcome the current situation.

Q: Could you elaborate on the need to outlaw hate speech in the interest of a united Sri Lankan nation?

A: That is a good move. You have to outlaw that. This can be done under the PTA. But no action is taken. That is why National Languages and Social Integration Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara has submitted a Cabinet Paper to bring legislations under the normal law of the country. Then nobody can have hate speech and criticise another community, religion or social sector. This is a good suggestion by Minister Nanayakkara. If we want to build a united Sri Lanka to prosper, we must stop hate speech. Political stability is the essential component that we must have to develop a country. No country can be developed without political stability. In our country, political stability means reconciliation among communities and religions. So we have to establish that. The recent incidents at Aluthgama and Beruwala have affected the hotel industry in those areas. We have lost hundreds of US Dollars because of this incident which is more than the loss that incurred locally. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has already allocated Rs.200 million to reconstruct houses and properties damaged due to this untoward incident. But how much has to be spent on compensation? All these incidents happened because of the instability created by some extremist organisations.

Q: The Aluthgama and Beruwala clashes may not be the first and last of such occurrences. What are the steps to be taken to avoid repetitions?

A: To avoid such circumstances, my position is to ban all these extremist organisations whether it is Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim. All these extremist organisations named after communities and conduct propaganda on communal or religious grounds should be banned immediately. All communities must work towards reconciliation.

Q: Do you think Government intervention alone could ensure ethnic harmony without an attitudinal change on the part of all stakeholders?

A: The Government can play a big role. The Government has to take the initiative. We have to take action as President Mahinda Rajapaksa has laid. All others must follow the President as he has already taken action.

Some of our politicians have created these situations throughout history for political gains. In neighboring India, they have never done that. That is why they have had a united India. There are many more races in India compared to Sri Lanka and nearly 64 languages are spoken. But the manner in which the Indian politicians conduct themselves has led to creating a united India. If anybody in India is asked for his nationality, he would say Indian. This is what we have to build- a true Sri Lankan identity. In order to build a Sri Lankan identity, we have to respect each and every community. Once that is accomplished and equal rights are ensured to all, a Sri Lankan identity will become a reality. Then anyone in Sri Lanka when asked would say I am a Sri Lankan.

Q: The UNHRC investigation panel member, justice Asma Jahangir in an interview with the BBC had said that despite Sri Lanka being uncooperative, investigations will be carried out depending on other sources, perhaps the Darusman report and British Channel 4. Could one expect a transparent and independent investigation under these circumstances?

A: What they have said is that they have done similar investigations previously as well. If any country does not cooperate and if there are people to give evidence, there are ways and means of getting about it with modern technology via Skype or Viber technology. people can give evidence. It is not like old days where they have to come to investigate. If the people are willing, investigations can be done in another country. They don't need to be exposed.

Q: Will there be serious implications as a result of not cooperating with the UNHRC investigating team? Israel stood its grounds in a similar situation?

A: Israel has an advantage over us. In the Israeli issue, the US is behind them. Each time a resolution is adopted against Israel, the US opposes it. Because of US opposition, the EU also does not take action. But if we don't follow the procedure and go ahead, the US and EU can adopt sanctions against our country. If this report is submitted to the UNHRC to impose sanctions through the UN, Russia and China will support us to negate it by using their veto power. We can't compare Israel with us.

Q: Human rights violations, civil commotion and the killing spree continues in dozen countries even at this juncture. What made US and Britain to take a special interest in the so- called human rights violations after the blood-letting LTTE was defeated?

A: The main reason is the Tamil Diaspora. The diaspora is powerful because it is scattered in many countries specially in the West and the US. They have a powerful forum in those countries. They are behind this manoeuvre. The Tamil community is spread all over like the Jews. It is difficult for the West and the Americans to take action against Israel because of the Jewish lobby. Here the dominant factor is the Tamil diaspora and they are against Sri Lanka and the Government. We have to take that into account. We must reach an understanding with the Northern Tamil community in our country. If we can come to an understanding with Tamils and the TNA here then nobody can interfere into our internal matters. Then we can get together and take a stand and announce it to the world. Then the international community cannot intervene into our domestic affairs. This is the main thing that we all must get together and do to overcome this situation.

Q: There is the allegation that UNP Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera has exposed the names of certain intelligence personnel perhaps to let loose another Millennium City adventure. What is the position?

A: Security personnel must respond to that. We are not aware anything about this. Because these are matters related to intelligence. These intelligence sources must reply to the allegations made by Mangala Samaraweera and taken action against him.

Q: Will the UNP pose a challenge to the Government at the Uva Provincial Council Elections when it is still in doldrums?

A: Whatever attempts are made, the UNP has no chance to win the election. The UNP or any other force in this country has no ability to challenge the incumbent President. That is the reality in the country. But if the international community can create problems to a small country like us, we cannot fight with the entire globe. Because we are not in such a strong situation like China or India. We have to take that into our account. The international community can also do enough things to create leaders in Sri Lanka. Other than that there is no chance for the Opposition to win elections. That is why we have to settle our own matters to avoid any international interference.

Q: The dispute over poaching by the South Indian fishermen remains unsold as yet. It appears that the issue drags indefinitely. What are the problems involved?

A: We have taken actions regarding this. Even the President has decided to release poor fishermen but to confiscate the vessels and gears. That has become very effective. For the first time, it is not only the fishermen but also the fisher-moghuls are affected. They are politically close to the hierarchy there. Now they have to think twice when they come to our territory. Because they are going to loose their vessels and gears which worth over millions of Indian rupees. At present the number of fishermen coming to Sri Lanka is coming down so that action has become very effective. Actually the issue is for the Indian authorities not for us. We have warned our fishermen not to go to their side. We don't tolerate it and we never promote it. But the South Indian Government stands for their fishermen for poaching. They have banned bottom trawling in their side and they allow bottom trawling in our side which is very unreasonable. If any talks to be held, that is only for their interest not for our interest.

Q: What is the Modi Government's impact on Sri Lanka-India mutual relations?

A: The new Indian leadership is effective. The recent Indian Government is a strong one. Premier Modi is a mature politician. The view is that Modi had a landslide victory and he doesn't need South Indian support. That is not so. Though Modi had a landslide victory, it was only from North India. He was defeated in the South Indian states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. As a shrewd politician, he will have to think how to gain power in these provinces. If Modi had a landslide victory, Jayalalithaa also had a landslide victory in Tamil Nadu. Then Modi will understand Jayalalithaa's stand is the stand for Tamil Nadu so that either he will have to take that stand or he will have to come to an understanding with her. I heard that they are coming to some understanding to a coalition between Tamil Nadu. That is why Modi has not appointed anybody from Jayalalithaa's party to the Cabinet. Because he wants to directly work with Jayalalithaa. That is how Modi has approached Jayalalithaa. This is where the danger is. We have to understand that Modi to gain power in Tamil Nadu, will have to go with Jayalalithaa at the next election more than the Congress. The Congress never had a strategy for the provinces. But Modi is trying to gain power in all the provinces like earlier in the 1960s where the Indian Congress gained power in every province as one party.

Q: What is the PSC's future prospects as it remains non-functional due to the UNP and TNA boycotting?

A: The Government should start discussions with the TNA. If the TNA comes to the PSC, the UNP will have to definitely come. There must be some understanding and they must be given some assurance that any decision taken at the PSC will be implemented. Because they are aware that during its history, there have been deliberations but nothing effective has come out of it. They are blamed by their own people for being dragged into a 'dead' trial. The main thing is to come to an understanding with the TNA and bring them to the PSC process. As the President said that is the best way to settle this matter, rather than allowing foreign powers to dictate terms to us.