Tussle over Opposition Leader’s post:

It should have been a UPFA nomination - Kumara Welgama

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

UPFA Kalutara District Parliamentarian Kumara Welgama says there are no objections to the appointment of TNA MP R. Sampanthan as the Opposition Leader. However, if one is to abide by democratic traditions and conventions, it is the party that commands the majority in Parliament that should elect one of its members as the Opposition Leader, he points out in this interview with the Sunday Observer adding that one should not forget that there is an unofficial opposition with over 40 MPs to play a vigorous role in Parliament.

Q: There is an official Opposition Leader. Do you intend to play the role of an unofficial Opposition Leader?

A: The majority of opposition MPs are on our side. UPFA MPs signed a document and handed it over to President Maithripala Sirisena requesting him to appoint me as the Opposition Leader and UPFA MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage as the Chief Opposition Whip. When the UPFA Party Leaders met the President, they had requested him to allow the UPFA parliamentary group to elect their own Opposition Leader. The President had granted permission to the UPFA Party Leaders to propose a UPFA MP to the post of Opposition Leader. That is why the UPFA Parliamentary group proposed my name and MP Aluthgamage’s to the posts of Opposition Leader and the Chief Opposition Whip. However, the UPFA General Secretary had not sent those two names to the Speaker. Therefore, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya announced in Parliament that TNA MP R.Sampanthan has been nominated to the post of Opposition Leader. Legally, we have to accept Sampanthan as the Opposition Leader. But we have a group of over 40 UPFA MPs in the opposition. That is why I told the media that I would play the role of an unofficial Opposition Leader of that group.

Q: Do you think you could be a vibrant Opposition Leader holding the scales of justice fairly and equally?

A: The UPFA group proposed me as I have the ability to fulfill the responsibility of Opposition Leader’s post. I was appointed as a SLFP electoral organiser in 1982 by late Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike. Since then I have acted as an electoral organiser for the past 33 years without making any cross overs. I have continuously represented Parliament for 22 years. Therefore, I have a vast experience on parliamentary proceedings. During my longstanding parliamentary career, I have also acted as a government and opposition MP, Deputy Minister, Non-Cabinet Minister and over nine years as a Cabinet Minister. I am an old boy of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. My school has produced a number of illustrious political figures such as Prime Ministers D. S. Senanayake, Dudley Senanayake and S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. UPFA MPs proposed me to the Opposition Leader’s post by taking into consideration my political experience.

Q: Is the pro-Rajapaksa faction happy with the way the present Opposition Leader functions?

A: The present Opposition Leader is also a veteran parliamentarian. I don’t say that he is not suitable to that position. He is fulfilling his task on behalf of his nationality. There is no issue about it. But the UPFA has more MPs in the opposition than the TNA. However, this fact was not accepted as the UPFA General Secretary had not conveyed it to the Speaker in writing. I have no issue whatsoever with the incumbent Opposition Leader because he is also an experienced politician.

Q: What prevented you from being appointed the Opposition Leader despite your long political career?

A: There are various reasons. The UPFA has signed a MoU with the UNP to form a national government for a period of two years. Therefore, the UPFA party hierarchy says we are not in the Opposition. But the President has given us permission to sit in the opposition and seats have also been reserved in the opposition. I can’t understand this controversy.

Q: In the Parliamentary hierarchy, the Opposition Leader ranks next to Prime Minister. Do you think the present Opposition Leader holds the same status?

A: During the regime of President J.R. Jayewardene, ITAK MP Amirthalingam became the Opposition Leader. Under the Ranil Wickremesinghe Government, Sampanthan was appointed Opposition Leader. Except for being appointed as Prime Minister, Sampanthan will never get a public mandate to hold such a position. At present TNA has only 16 seats in Parliament.

Q: Why do you want to become the Opposition Leader? Is it to take the government to task?

A: There is an important role to be played by the Opposition Leader. His main task is not to challenge the government. If the policies of the government are good, we would vote for it. If it resorts to undemocratic moves, we will oppose it.

Q: Your pro-Mahinda faction could have nominated a fire brand such as Dinesh or Vasu. Why Welgama?

A: Dinesh Gunawardena is a capable Minister and a MP. Everyone admits that he is suitable for the Opposition Leader’s post. But the number of SLFP MPs is higher than any other coalition party in the UPFA. That is why the UPFA parliamentary group proposed my name to that post.

Q: Is there a split within the UPFA ranks over the Opposition Leader’s post?

A: After the Opposition Leader is appointed, whether we like him or not, he should fulfill his duties in Parliament. Personally, we have no objection of appointing Sampanthan as the Opposition Leader. But we believe, the party which commands the majority in the opposition should be given the opportunity to elect their member as the Opposition Leader.

Q: It is argued that when a section of the UPFA MPs hold ministerial posts and has become a part of the government, the party doesn’t have the legitimate right to appoint the Opposition Leader?

A: As I mentioned earlier, the MoU signed between the SLFP and the UNP has become a stumbling block. If the SLFP has signed a MoU with the UNP to form a national government, how can we sit in the opposition? But as opposition MPs, we have been reserved seats in the opposition.

Q: You are determined not to join the government. Are there other politicians in the party who stick to principles as you?

A: Most of SLFP MPs have obtained ministerial portfolios due to various reasons. I personally believe, we should not take government portfolios. The UPFA policy manifesto has categorically stated that it would not go for a national government.

The people voted for the UPFA based on that policy. We told the people that we would form our own UPFA government. Whatever decision the taken by the SLFP Central Committee or party hierarchy, we cannot betray our policy manifesto. When the SLFP Central Committee was summoned by the Party Chairman President Maithripala Sirisena in January this year, I categorically stated that I oppose the national government concept. People have fully endorsed our policy manifesto at the recently concluded General Election. Of the total number of 3,38,000 votes obtained by the UPFA in the kalutara District, 2,18,614 people had voted for me. The people voted for the UPFA placing their confidence in our policy statement. I am not ready to join the national government.

The SLFP and UNP policies are far apart. The SLFP and its other coalition partners are based on leftist ideologies.

There is a huge disparity between the UPFA’s leftist ideologies and UNP’s right wing ideologies. Therefore, this government cannot move forward and this is an unsuccessful journey. The Ministerial and Deputy Ministerial portfolios have been shared between two parties and this created divisions among trade unions in ministries.

A division has already been made in the Transport Ministry trade unions. According to my political understanding, this national government cannot go like this. UPFA MPs like T. B.Ekanayake who vehemently criticised the national government concept and described those who join the national government as “Gandhabba” has also obtained government portfolios.