TMVP in or out...

Govt. will go marching with APRC

The Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP) said that they were contented with the UNP's pledge to support the government to implement the 13th Amendment to give more power to the people and to end terrorism.

In an interview with the 'Sunday Observer', EPDP leader and Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda said that his party had proposed this some time back and the new move by the UNP would be a kick start to solve the national problem.

He said that the meeting between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition leader Ranil Wickremesinghe was good news and both parties should continue this cordial relationship in the future. "If the Opposition can support implementing the 13th Amendment, it will give more support to the government to speed up executing the solutions", he said.

Following are the excerpts of the interview:

Q: The Thamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) has prepared an election manifesto on how they will govern the Batticaloa District. What are your plans on how to develop the Eastern region?

A: The EPDP does not have anything new because we have been working there for more than two decades. After I joined the political mainstream as a politician, I have worked in the Batticaloa District since 1978. So, we do not have new plans as such but will be continuing with whatever activities, we are doing today in the future. The EPDP has political offices there and we deal with the day to day issues of the people. Even during the time the people were under the clutches of the LTTE we assigned the former Jaffna MP to look after the needs of people in Batticaloa. We hope after getting the support of the people we will do more work for the development of the district and we are confident that we can do more.

Q: But the TMVP claims that no Tamil political leader has looked into the people's grievances in the East genuinely. So does this mean that you did not work for the Tamils in the East?

A: No, I did my best for the people. As usual every political party will say that the politicians belonging to the opposite party failed to do anything. This is not only in Batticaloa but throughout the country. This is just a claim by an opposition political party. I think that our political work in the region also contributed to the alienation of the LTTE in the East. People have now realised that. I am not talking like other politicians but talking about reality. I think we can ensure peace in the region and can create a situation where all the communities live together.

We were the only party that sincerely welcomed Karuna when he broke away from the LTTE. We did that mainly because of democracy. Today, we - the EPDP and the TMVP - may have differences but we had encouraged them to enter the democratic process. On the other hand we may not approve of their activities but will encourage them to join the democratic process in the true spirit and we can share our experiences with them.

Q: Civic rights groups have urged the government to postpone the local government elections in Batticaloa claiming that there would not be free and fair elections until the armed groups are disarmed. What is your view?

A: I accept the situation. But if we reject the elections at this stage, that will create more problems for the people. So somehow we have to establish democracy in these areas. A similar thing happened in the South during the JVP period in 1989 when the then government postponed the elections. That obstructed the process of democracy and created more problems. I believe that anyhow we have to go through this process. In 2004, we knew that the LTTE was going to hold massive protests and carry out attacks but we faced it. The society did not ask to postpone the election. Everywhere the people were threatened and intimidated. The people could not come forward to vote but still they did not urge to postpone the election. Therefore I do not see any valid reason for postponing the election.

Q: Are you confident that there will be a free and fair election on March 10?

A: Of course and we hope for the best. I cannot assure that it will be 100 percent free and fair. According to the information we have received, pre-poll violations have been taking place. But my stand is that we have to face it. If we fail and run away from the situation it will become worse.

Q: The EPRLF and PLOTE has complained of possible election violence on March 10?

A: All over the world election violations are common. So, the Batticaloa election cannot be different from them. We know this wont be a better election. This will not be concluded in a very democratic way but the government is doing their level best to ensure a free and fair election. But we cannot ensure it 100 percent.

Q: What are the steps taken by the government to ensure that all the IDPs in Batticaloa District are given a chance to exercise their franchise?

A: There won't be any problem for them because there is no presence of the LTTE. Polling booths will be set up in each IDP camp to facilitate them. Most of the refugees are resettled. I think the main problem there now is the competition between the political parties. The government is taking all the possible steps to ensure their rights.

Q: Are you satisfied with the development process taking place in the Eastern region now?

A: Yes. The government is doing well in resettling the people and providing infrastructure facilities. But what is lacking is the people's representation. I think the government can consider and proceed with its development activities in the region more, after the elections.

Q: What is your view about the UNP's move to support the 13th Amendment?

A: We warmly welcome their support. There may be a hidden agenda but we welcome the move. They cannot say no to this because the 13th Amendment is their brainchild. The EPDP had proposed this earlier and this will be a good start to the process to solve the national problem.

Q: How do you see the meeting between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe?

A: It went well. It is good news. The EPDP thinks that this should be continued for the betterment of the country and its people. The ruling party and the Opposition should work together. Then only we can get rid of the bad elements.

Q: Do you think that this new move will bring changes in the present politics and will lead to solve many problems?

A: Yes. I hope so. Now the government has an interim solution to the ongoing issue. So that is to bring our constitutional framework. If the opposition can support this it will give more support to the government to speed up the solutions.

Q: This 'sudden' meeting, as some political parties claim, do you think that India is behind this meeting in an attempt to interfere with the country's internal problems?

A: I do not think so. This is just speculation. India is very clear about its stand.

Q: Do you think that maximum power will be devolved under the 13th Amendment?

A: The 13th Amendment is the 1st stage and now the APRC is continuing with the proposals to bring an amicable solution to the country. We came up with three stages to end this problem. The first stage is to implement what is there in the Constitution, the second is to give more powers to the Provincial Councils within a Constitutional framework and the third is to go for the present Constitution. I firmly believe that if we can implement these stages power can be fully devolved and the national problem will be solved.

Q: How vital is the Indian intervention in solving this conflict?

A: India is giving good moral support for us. They have welcomed these proposals. The 13th Amendment was brought in because of the Indo-Lanka Pact. I think this is also one reason India is supporting us. Especially India is our neighbour and it is important to get the support of India in the country's national problem.

Q: The JVP has opposed the Indian support saying that India is trying to interfere in internal matters unnecessarily. What is your comment?

A: It was, we who asked India to support us. That is the Tamil community. We know that without the support of India we cannot solve this problem. Whether we like it or not India's support is there. India is our neighbour. The main fact is that we joined the political mainstream because of the Indo-Lanka Accord. On the other hand India's security is also connected to our issue. That is the reality and we have to live with that.

Q: What would be the outcome of boycotting 'Made in India' products by our consumers?

A: That is politics. The JVP is fully in the Provincial Council system. The JVP is enjoying the Provincial Council System for the last two decades and they will continue to do so. But we have been deprived of this for the last 20 years. It is unfair of them to oppose the system now.

Q: Do you think that the government should listen to the JVP's claim that India is interfering into our internal matters?

A: No, I do not think that the government will listen because it is obvious that without India we cannot solve this problem. This is the reality and we need the help of India.

Q: The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) and the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) have decided to withdraw from the APRC proceedings until the TMVP is given a chance to represent the Committee. What is your stance?

A: No. The EPDP does not agree with this idea because the need of the hour is continuing this process anyhow as the country needs solutions soon. Whether they come or not the Committee should continue. They do not have a representation in the Parliament. So let the process continue and if they want to submit their proposals let them submit. But the proceedings should not be stopped. This is a wrong precedent.

Q: According to the recent Janes' Intelligence Review, the LTTE which is now suffering from heavy defeats, is now in its lowest ebb since 1980. What is your assessment about the LTTE as a former militant leader?

A: The LTTE could not resist the military operations and other counter terror activities by the government. They are losing ground politically and militarily now. As the government is proceeding on a correct path they cannot go back to its strong past. If the government does mistakes only they can go to their previous situation. But, at the present rate of attacking the LTTE cannot survive any further.

Q: But still the LTTE spreads its propaganda abroad. Will the international community trust them any more?

A: No. But still with the hope of getting the support of the international community the LTTE does some propaganda work. I do not think these will be effective as the government is doing its maximum to counter attack them. I believe that as long as the government is going in the correct path the LTTE won't get much support.

Q: The organisation Human Rights Watch has reiterated the need for an UN Monitoring Mission for Sri Lanka. Do you think it necessary at this juncture?

A: If the UN has the rights, that is upto the government and the UN to decide of the necessity. But I do not see a necessity for it immediately. Wherever there is war no one can stop these incidents. These are natural occurrences in a situation like this. Until the terrorism is over these problems will prevail.

Q: The LTTE Political Wing Leader P. Nadeshan has said recently that it is impossible to get Prabhakaran and nobody can approach their leader. Do you think so?

A: Yes. Because he will not be alive till the military comes to arrest him. Simply, he will commit suicide. This is the nature of people like him. When the military came to arrest Hitler and Pol Pot they committed suicide.

Characters of this type will not wait until the military arrests them. So, Nadeshan is correct and no one will approach his leader as he will kill himself. His fate will be similar to Hitler and Pol Pot.

Who is Douglas Devananda

Having a good childhood the young boy gradually learnt that though there are differences all humans are equal and rich or poor everyone is yearning to lead an equally good life. In the environment of his home where his father was always talking about Lenin and Marx, the boy learnt, the ABC of politics from him.

Gradually, the young boy who studied at the Jaffna Central College began to witness the political drama of the Sinhalese and Tamil politicians who had vested interests ruining the country... ruining the unity among the communities.

The youth who always resisted injustice wanted to become a social worker. But... fate made him a militant, who pioneered the armed struggle in Sri Lanka. " I may be the founder and also a member of the EROS and EPRLF and one of the pioneers of the arms struggle. People are suffering. Though I am not directly responsible for their sufferings I know they are suffering because of the faults of the previous leaders, who did not steer the people in the correct direction", said Minister of Social Services Douglas Devananda, who had an innocent dream to serve his people one day.

Young Devananda was trained by the People's Libration Army in Lebanon in 1978 and he went there twice for training. One of his unforgettable adventures was his attempt to go to India with a group. He swam from Tamil Nadu waters to Jaffna in the Palk Straits when the boat carrying him and his fellow militant members capsized. Seven members died in the mishap. However he was fortunate to survive with the support of another EPRLF cadre who was right behind Devananda to see that he was not giving up his swimming. Both were later rescued by a fishing vessel which was in the vicinity.

Two days later, covering his body that had scars of fish bites with a shawl, Devananda carried out the last rites of his fellow cadres who perished in the mishap at a cemetery in Jaffna.

It was he who led the mission to kidnap an American Engineer named Allan and his wife, which became the talk of the town in the mid eighties. He said that they did not have any intention of killing the couple but their idea behind the kidnapping was to popularise their party EPRLF internationally. That worked well with the then President of the US Ronald Reagan and the Indian Premier Indira Gandhi contacting late President J. R. Jayewardene." Our party which is left oriented is different from the LTTE from its inception", Minister Devananda said.

"I can remember the day the then 'Daily News' journalist Cecil Wickremanayake visited Jaffna Fort and the LTTE was trying to arrest him. Before the LTTE, our members arrested him and brought him to me. I had a chat with him and explained our mission, politics and why we are fighting. Next morning I personally went with him and dropped him safely, otherwise the LTTE would have killed him", he recalled.

Minister Devananda who had seen the LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran very rarely said that he is still 'different' from Prabhakaran. Minister Devananda is one of the 'most wanted men' of the LTTE. The LTTE had failed in more than a dozen attempts to kill this six footer, who is highly critical about the 'outfit'.

According to Minister Devananda he will never breathe his last, until the death of Prabhakaran.

Kathriravelu Nithyananda Devananda did not have the westernised name 'Douglas' until he met his Karate instructor one Douglas de Silva, through whom he earned a 'Black belt' and also his friend also named Douglas. The youth who went underground was 'self-baptised' as 'Douglas' to honour the two 'good human beings' in the South.

"From that day onwards I was called "Douglas Devananda", said Minister Douglas Devananda.

Being one of the 'most wanted men' by the government as an outlaw the then government offered a reward of Rs. one million for his head in early 80's. Now he is the 'most sought after man' of the Mahinda Rajapaksa government, to stand along with him against the LTTE atrocities, he said he did not know the worth of his head under 'Ape Anduwa' (Our Government).

With no idea of quitting politics the Minister of Social Services is not yet satisfied about his services rendered to the people of this country and wants to do more until his death.

Minister Douglas Devananda said that he, who respects all the religions, is a Buddhist monk without a robe, a Hindu without Holy Ash, a Christian who does not wear a Holy Cross and a Muslim without a skull cap.

Calling himself a 'bridge for all the races' he said he believes in humanism and will always fight for the rights of the oppressed and voiceless people.