Hi! what's up?

'No use blaming the darkness'

Colombo district UNP Parliamentarian, Ravi Karunanayake

SO: Mr. Karunanayake please

MP: Yes

SO: I am from the Sunday Observer. What's the latest Mr. Karunanayake?

MP: In politics?

SO: Yes

MP: It is very clear. You see people are rallying against the government. They have understood that the government can deliver nothing. If the government tries to cover up everything with the ethnic issue, it cannot be accepted. The problem is dragging on for almost three decades. Incompetent, inhumane and inefficient actions of the government are responsible. Not only the SLFP but the JVP and JHU too are responsible.

SO: Can you give any assurance that under a UNP regime COL can be reduced?

MP: We are not a "talk and do" party. But we have proved it. The economy which had been ruined by the Chandrika regime, we remedied and made it strong enough. What I see is that there is no use blaming the darkness. But people will do the right thing, when their turn comes.

SO: Do you think it is fair driving the country for a sudden election?

MP: How can the government controlled newspapers raise this kind of questions.What Chandrika did, she dissolved Parliament and went for an election. Then, I do not like that question.

SO: Minister A. Thondaman and his group have submitted their resignation letters. How do you see this cross-over culture?

MP: Your newspapers do not question when MPs cross over to the government, from no privileges to privileges. Whatever the reason, they have stepped down from the privileges to no privileges. Anyway. If someone comes from the government to the opposition, it is a matter to think about twice. The government made a lot of promises, but what have they delivered. They have proved their incapability.

SO: Is that true some UNP MPs do not like SLFP M faction's Alliance with the UNP?

MP: This "like and dislike" factor is common everywhere and it is not only for this issue or only in the UNP. As you know Mangala and Sripathi had something to say to the public. They wanted to say "Sorry" to their voters. That is a matter of forgiveness and mercy. On the other hand, they revealed that it was not the UNP who had dealings with the LTTE but someone else.

SO: You have any messages for the public?

MP: I have a message for the government. Today the talented younger generation have lost confidence in the government. They had much hopes. All the hopes were shattered as the government failed to deliver the goods. Working only to retain power would do nothing, time has come for them to go back home.

'TNA was not invited to APRC'

Trincomalee district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian, K. Thurairatnasingham

SO: MP Thurairatnasingham please?

MP: Speaking.

SO: Well, I am from the Sunday Observer. What's the latest?

MP: It is surprising to see you contact us. Any way, we are worried how the government engage in development work in the Eastern Province.

SO: What is the reason to worry, if the government engages in development work? That is the responsibility of the government.

MP: The thing is we were not consulted. What is going on?. Plans are made in Colombo and they implement them there. That is not the way, the government should have discussed them with us (TNA MPs) and the people there. And there are several other issues which cause worry.

SO: What are those?

MP: Military people have built Buddha statues in places where mostly Tamils and Muslims live. In some areas people have been asked to stop their livelihood activities.

SO: Have you met and discussed those matters with the people in those areas?

MP: No, we cannot go there. We can't take risks on our lives.

SO: For how long have you stopped going there?

MP: After this government came into power. Karuna Group's people are there. We cannot believe in anyone.

SO: Well. Mr. Thurairatnasingham why don't you support the APRC (All Party Representative Committee) process to find a constructive solution to this ongoing problem?

MP: Why? who says we do not support it. But what happened was we were not invited to participate in it.

SO: But, I have seen a number of open invitations for the TNA.

MP: No, I do not know about open invitations. But, if the government comes with a written or verbal invitation, we can consider it.

SO: You mean, the only problem was in the invitation process and if such an invitation comes you will be in the process?

MP: I do not directly say it. Then only we can consider it.

SO: Well. What about an election in the Eastern Province?

MP: Foolishness! How can they hold elections in the Province? People are still in refugee camps. Most have left the country and they are in India. The government has first-of-all to think about those matters. Why such a hurry for an election. We do not like it.

SO: If I say, you are not ready for an election because you were not in the electorate and unable to deliver anything?

MP: No. I deny it, We have done a lot. What the armed forces destroyed, we have restored by us using our MPs' funds.

SO: You mean everything you built was destroyed by the Armed Forces?

MP: Yes.

SO: What is your solution to this problem?

MP: Discussion is better. Why did the youth in North took weapons? Their issues and problems were not identified. If it were so, they won't take to arms.

deepal@sundayobserver.lk