For and against MR

UPFA needs MR to win the election - Manusha

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Manusha Nanayakkara was a television journalist and media personality before he entered active politics. First elected as a member of the Southern Provincial Council in 2004, the 37- year- old politician contested the General Election on the UNP ticket from Galle in 2010 but later crossed over to the former UPFA Government, along with many others.

Considered as a close associate of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and a vociferous member of the ‘Bring back Mahinda’ campaign led by a section of the UPFA and its allies including the MEP and NFF, Nanayakkara is now getting ready to contest from Galle, this time on the UPFA ticket.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer, the former MP said, even those who disliked the idea of Mahinda Rajapaksa being given nomination from the UPFA have come to accept that it is impossible to win the Election without Rajapaksa, the most popular UPFA candidate at present.

Excerpts:

Q: Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa received nomination after a hectic struggle. What led to the situation within your party?

A: The people’s opposition against the Government, created a massive public awareness campaign stressing the need for former President Rajapaksa’s to re-enter politics. Finally, President Maithripala Sirisena had to take a decision taking the party into consideration and the country’s forward march.The President was given a fresh public mandate to restore ‘good governance’ but some untoward incidents which took place during the short tenure of the Government, which were totally opposed to the ideals of ‘good governance’.

Under these circumstances, the President and other party leaders of the UPFA coalition had to give nominations to the former President. As a group who were in the forefront of bringing back former President Rajapaksa into politics, we are happy about the political situation that has emerged.

Q: It is clear that some forces within the SLFP are against the former President being given nominations. Would you like to explain?

A: A few SLFPers who have joined the Government entertained that view. Finally they admitted that the UPFA could not secure victory at the upcoming polls without the support of the former President. It is the people who will take the final decision, not political leaders, MPs or Ministers. The people’s request was to bring back former President into mainstream politics.

Q: The recent exposure of corruption and other vices are alleged to have been committed under ‘ Rajapaksa rule’ which has damaged the former President’s image too. What is your strategy to fight the forthcoming elections?

A: The continuous attempts by the UNP- led opposition to topple the Rajapaksa regime failed, their latest strategy was to level baseless allegations of corruption against the former President and his government.

Today, those who were politically neutral have realized that these were just a case of false mudslinging campaigns launched to get petty political advantages. However, this led to a misconception among those who were politically neutral about former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and some Ministers. That is why Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated at the last Presidential Election. Now most of them have changed their minds and realized the truth.

If any mistakes were made by the former UPFA government, we are ready to rectify them. If any of our politicians have committed even a minor offence, a future UPFA government would strictly deal with it.

Q: Don’t you think if former President Mahinda Rajapaksa openly admits his faults and helps to conduct a free and fair election, the SLFP- led UPFA will have a better chance?

A: Definitely. The UPFA has a very good chance of winning the election. Amidst baseless allegations and mudslinging campaigns carried out by the UNP- led opposition, 5.8 million people voted for Mahinda Rajapaksa at the last Presidential Election. Nearly 6.2 million people voted for the Common Opposition Candidate to create a clean administration in the country.

A large number of people whose hopes were shattered will also join hands with the UPFA. At present several parties who were in the UNP led rainbow coalition have quit including the TNA, JVP and DP. This has drastically reduced the UNP vote base by dragging them into the same position as when they experienced 29 electoral defeats. It is obvious the UPFA’s vote base will be doubled during the upcoming General Election.

Q: When Executive Presidents after completing two terms are supposed to be in retirement, what made former President Rajapaksa to resurrect his political career by contesting this time? Would you like to explain ?

A: The former President retired from politics but it was the people who wanted him to come back to politics. Having considered the collapse of the economy and the threat posed to national security, the former President couldn’t turn down the people’s request.

This is basically respecting the people’s voice and not a personal decision taken by the former President.

Q: If the UPFA wins a sufficient number of seats, what prevents Mahinda Rajapaksa being elected Prime Minister constitutionally? Could the President exercise his discretion and appoint somebody else?

A: The President cannot appoint a Prime Minister according to his will. According to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, there are no provisions to make such an appointment. Definitely, we would get the majority power in Parliament. Premiership should be given to the party which has the majority in Parliament. The UPFA has already decided to give Premiership to Mahinda Rajapaksa and there is no division in the party for that.

Q: Could you give reasons as to why UPFA Parliamentarians and several top officials who had abused power had not been dealt with?

A: The people were disgusted with that as well and that no action was taken. That was the mistake made by us. Now we have rectified that mistake.

We have learnt a lesson and have placed such people in appropriate slots. When we were in power, we may have not properly identified these offences made by politicians and top officials. During this period in the Opposition, we rectified our mistakes and will move forward.

Q: Why does the SLFP high command vacillate to deny nominations to its corrupt Parliamentarians which are no secretive?

A: Merely because an allegation is levelled against a politician, he cannot be denied nominations. Those allegations should be proved before the law. We have also complained that Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should be held responsible for the controversial Central Bank bond issue.

This has been revealed by the investigations conducted by the COPE as well. But he has also been given nomination as he has not yet been found guilty. In addition , allegations have been levelled against Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Deputy Justice Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe and State Minister of Power and Energy, Palitha Range Bandara. Charges have been levelled against a large number Ministers of this Government as well.

But the decision not to give nominations can only be taken if they are found guilty before any court of law. Now a social opinion has been created by branding some politicians as corrupt elements.

This has made some impact to change the nomination lists. If some politician has committed to any offence, it should be legally proved before he is denied nomination. As a party, we have taken a decision not to give nominations to some candidates who have tarnished the party’s image. Until a candidate is found guilty by law, it is unfair to reject his nomination.