Policy document won’t be changed to attract other parties - Premjayanth

Parties joining the UPFA Government have to abide by the Mahinda Chinthanaya policies , Secretary of the UPFA and Minister of Education Susil Premjayanth said. In an interview with the Sunday Observer staffer Jayantha Sri Nissanka, the Minister said the UPFA will not change its policy document to attract other parties to the Government.

Following are excerpts of the interview

Q: A new political trend is developing in the country. Minority parties such as the Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) and Upcountry People’s Front (UPF) struck a deal with the Government last week. How do you view this trend?

A: These parties have realised that another Presidential election will only come in six years. If they want to serve their people, they have to be with the Government in power. They worked with us at the last Local Government election. That is why we won the Kothmale and Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabhas for the first time. We are giving teaching posts, launching housing and other infrastructure development projects for estates. They will assist us in finding a solution to the North and East problem.

Q: What is the position of the SLMC. Will they join hands with the Government?

A: Negotiations are going on with the SLMC leaders. But certain matters have to be ironed out.

Q: But can these two minority parties work with the other coalition parties in the Government because the CWC and UPF advocate Federalism and you all are for a unitary Sri Lanka?

A: We will not derail from our `Mahinda Chinthanaya’ policy. All those who join us have to work according to the `Mahinda Chinthanaya’ .

Q: UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at a meeting with his MPs recently vowed to form a UNP Government within a short period. In this backdrop, don’t you think that sending two minority parties to the Government is a part of the UNP political strategy to keep the JVP further distanced from the Government. The UNP can call back the CWC and UPF anytime and they have done it once in the past. What is your view?

A: It will not happen because we are on an understanding with the CWC and UPF since the last local polls. Even if it happens this time, people will not ratify it at a General Election because we have had a bitter experience in 2001. The UNF Government collapsed in two years and there were clashes between the then President and Prime Minister and also often at Cabinet. Voters will not commit the same mistake again.

Q: The JVP forwarded 20 proposals to the Government to extend their support. What is the Government’s response to those proposals?

A: We have already submitted our decision on their proposals. Very soon the JVP Politburo will discuss our proposals. We will discuss further, once they reply us.

Q: But can the Government consider what they have proposed because they want the Government to abrogate the Ceasefire Agreement and send Norway home from the peace process?

A: We have agreed to all the proposals that we can agree as a responsible Government. We have proposed alternatives to what we can’t agree. We have explained in detail to what extent the Government can act in this regard.

Q: The JVP thinks that Norway is in Sri Lanka to divide the country for commercial interest on our oil deposits. What is your comment on this?

A: The Government can abolish any agreement in the interest of the people. The People’s consent was not obtained when those agreements were signed. The JVP also should not repeat all these things again and again. Our delegates at the Geneva peace talks said the Ceasefire Agreement was not a valid document because it was not signed in accordance with our Constitution. If we speak the truth, can you tell me whether the Ceasefire Agreement is in operation?. If so, how can people get massacred at Kebithigollawa and 15,000 families in Mavil Aru were denied of water.

Q: Can Norway play a vital role in the peace process?

A: They have mediated on some conflicts in other countries. But they have not succeeded well in such attempts.
Many raised questions about their neutrality. When President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over the country, the N&E problem had been internationalised. Therefore, we have to handle this problem carefully.

Q: The International Community is with the Sri Lankan Government today because of the CFA. So just because the JVP pressurises the Government, can we abrogate it?

A: That is the thing. Though the CFA is just restricted to a document, at least it is there for the eyes of the International Community. If it is not there, we cannot imagine how they will react to Sri Lanka. Therefore, this sensitive issue has to be handled very carefully.

Q:Then, why can’t the JVP and JHU understand this?

A: They are ignorant and they have their own political agendas.

Q: The Budget is in November. Will the JVP vote against the UPFA as you all have not agreed to their proposals?

A: The JVP is not in the Government even now. But they supported us at the last Budget too. If the Budget is people friendly, they will support it.

Q: Without the JVP support can the Government see the Budget through?

A: If they do not support us, the only option is to go for a General election. Then everyone will learn a lesson.

Q: What is the strength of the Government?

A: We had 106 MPs including the EPDP. When 38 JVP MPs defected, the number reduced to 68. Then four SLMC, six UNP, eight CWC and two UPF MPs joined totalling 88 MPs. So, if 38 JVP MPs and eight JHU MPs support us, we can pass the budget with 134 votes?

Q: Many blamed the JHU and JVP for pushing the Government to war. Can you comment on this?

A: That is a wrong perception. Military operations are not offensive operations. It was launched purely in retaliation to the LTTE attacks. The Army is retaliating against the LTTE in Sampur to resettle Muslims who have been chased out by the LTTE. Muslims are now scared to resettle in Sampur fearing LTTE mortar attacks. This is purely an exercise to give protection to the Muslims in Sampur as a responsible Government.

Q: When the LTTE is weak, the Norway Special Envoy Jon Hanssen Bauer rushes to Sri Lanka. Is that the duty of a Special Envoy?

A: True, when the Kebithigollawa massacre and Mavil Aru gates were closed, he did not rush to Sri Lanka to get the LTTE to stop such actions. The LTTE has violated the CFA over 5,000 times. They are silent on such atrocities.