We have the vision and will for good governance - Ajith P. Perera

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Articulate, outspoken and immensely confident, Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P. Perera has no doubts about the United National Party (UNP) securing a major victory in the August 2015 General Elections. In this interview with the Sunday Observer, he talks about his party's nomination process to select the most suitable candidates, the party manifesto which will have good governance as its pivot, minority votes, unified government pledge and about corrupt politicians being allowed to control the SLFP

Excerpts:

Q: What would be the pledge of the UNP to the people... what will the party's manifesto look like?

A: Basically it will be a continuation of the Presidential manifesto - the pledge for Good Governance. We will add more, but our party manifesto will be based on that.

Q: What preparations have you made as a party for the general election?

A: We have finalised nominations, fielding an extremely good team of candidates, better than any put forward by other political parties. We checked the credentials and suitability of our candidates with the relevant authorities and the selection was by very senior members of the party. In addition, the party also gathered very reliable back ground information on each of the candidates, before the final selection was made. Therefore we, as a party, are confident of fielding a team of credible candidates with a vision and a will for good governance.

Q: Has the UNP decided on its prime ministerial candidate?

A: Yes. Undoubtedly the next Prime Minister will be Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Q: Are there any differences of opinion within the party? Over the past few years there has been dissonance within the party, especially over leadership issues. Is it still there?

A: Absolutely no. Not at all.

Q: How confident is the UNP of winning the support of the minority communities?

A: Very. We are confident of winning at least 95% of the minority votes. We had that kind of support at the presidential elections, and that support is continuing. We have no doubt about that. We do not see any other party having credible Muslim or Tamil politicians among their candidates.

Q: How would you assess the ability of the UNP to win a significant slice of the Sinhala majority vote?

A: The UNP is definitely going to win. Our confidence is based on the findings of a series of scientific surveys done before the elections. According to the results, we are leading even in Sinhala majority areas.

Q: Is there a clash between the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and the UNP?

A: No there isn't. The JHU is a small party. We do not need to fight with them, although we will respond to whatever comments they make about us. However, there is no serious competition between the JHU and the UNP at the grass roots level. Actually the JHU will not be able to get any seats by contesting alone in this election.

Q: Even if the UNP secures a significant victory, will the party be willing to form a unified Government, as pledged?

A: With the smaller parties rallying around us, we envisage the establishment of a government representing all parties. But that is a broader outlook. As for the current situation, we need to see the outcome of the elections to reach a decision. But, realistically speaking, there will be no question of a coalition government as we are confident of getting a clear majority in the elections. Certainly, we will consider a unified government.

Q: Your party supported Maithripala Sirisena to defeat Mahinda Rajapaksa. How do you perceive the present pro-Rajapaksa tendency of the President?

A: The problem is the President, as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), seems to have no control over the party. That is what we learn. He is unable to clean the party and is unable to work with important stakeholders of the party. Basically he is allowing corrupt politicians to control the SLFP. We are definitely going to defeat the SLFP in the August elections. Thereafter President Maithripala Sirisena can clear his party.

Q: Do you think the National Unity Government fulfilled the promises it made?

A: The 100-Day program is only a foundation of the policy. We need to extend the work with a five year plan, and to that we need a strong government. We will have that strong government.

As for you question, I do believe we fulfilled the promises we made to the people of the country.