UNP(D) Group will contest on UPFA ticket - Basil Rajapaksa

The UNP (D) Group will contest under the UPFA ticket at the forthcoming elections and some senior politicians in the group will take the SLFP membership soon, Senior Presidential Advisor MP Basil Rohana Rajapaksa said.

Rajapaksa, who is known as the political strategist of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government, said that the UNP (D) Group had given their consent to contest under UPFA, but further discussions were going on with them to facilitate the SLFP membership.

Refuting that he has a hand in splits of the UNP or JVP, he said that he wishes that the UNP will resolve its internal crisis soon to become a strong UNP. He called on the UNPers, who endorse the policies of the Rajapaksa Government, to join the UPFA to bring peace to the country. '' Doors of the UPFA are open to more UNPers to join us and I hope more will join us soon'', he said.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: The budgetary allocation for the Department of Elections has increased from Rs. 284 to Rs. 1,098 for next year. Is this an indication that there will be elections next year?

A: I have never said so, but some media have reported about the arrangement for an election. Even our party leaders have not mentioned anything about such a decision. However, according to the constitution some elections, especially the Provincial Council Elections, should be held next year. But, this can be decided by the Governors and Chief Minister of the particular provinces. The President and the Prime Minister can decide to hold a general election. The majority of the Parliament also

 can decide to go for an election. There is a possibility for holding the Pradeshiya Sabbha Election next year. Therefore, according to the constitutional provisions, 2009 will be an election year.

There are authorities who are mandated to take these decisions so I cannot talk on behalf them. I do not know exactly about this. But I can say that the SLFP and UPFA is ready to face any election.

Q: People say that the decisions of the Government evolve not according to President Rajapaksa's wish but according to yours.What is your comment?

A: It is totally wrong to judge me this way. I am doing my work according to advices of the President Rajapaksa and follow the party decisions. I work according to my opinions when necessary, but I always try to be fair to what I am asked to do. I want to do my maximum to fulfill the task given to me by the President. I believe that I am doing my best and I normally do not undertake work that I can not do. I do not take hasty decisions or act on my own without consulting the President: I always follow the President and seek assistance; his strength to do work, experience and the knowledge to handle the issues. He as the head of State knows the heart beat of the people more than anyone else. He is a people`s man and as he has that strength, knowledge and experience. He, as a leader knows the heart beat of the people, and what the country needs the best: More or less people have given him a mandate by placing confidence in him.

People know that he will lead this country towards prosperity.

Q: It is speculated that you will be leading the election campaign in Colombo or Gampaha. Is there any truth in it?

A: The President has appointed a committee to re-organize the electorates to face the forthcoming elections. This committee comprises of senior SLFP politicians like Ministers Nimal Siripala, Maithripala Sirisena and Dallus Allahapperuma. The committee, in which I am also a member, met last week to discuss about the preparations for the Colombo and Gampaha districts. There the SLFPers of these two districts had invited me to lead the campaigns and also to contest. Not only the members of these two districts, but there are requests from other districts too.

Q: Have you decided to accept the invitation?

A: No, the final decision lies on the hands of the President and the party.

However, firstly I have to see whether I will continue in politics or not.

Q: Why are you planning to quit politics?

A: No. But I and my family have to decide how long I should be in politics.

However, appointing me to one of these districts will be decided by the President and the party. They have to decide what task they are planning to assign me.

I will take any task and I have confidence in whatever the work I am assigned to. I do not have any divisions when doing my work. Not only in the South, but also in the North I will complete whatever the task given to me successfully. One member of the Opposition wants me to contest from Ampara.

But unfortunately when I am doing some work in any of these districts people think that I am going to contest from that particular district.

Q: If your family asks you to stop politics will you listen to them?

A: It depends on the existing situation of the country. If they request me to quit I cannot say no, but if the country needs me more I will remain in politics. When it comes to serve the country I will give priority to that.

Q: Is it true that the UNP(D) Group will contest under the UPFA ticket?

A: Yes, they gave us their willingness and we are discussing this at the moment. Definitely they will contest under the UPFA. Some will be joining the SLFP directly and some will continue separately or form a new alliance or a group. They will face the election as UPFA candidates.

Q: Will this decision lead to any rift in the UPFA?

A: No. Because, in general the SLFPers are very generous. So, such a rift will not be created. Because of this reason once Vijitha Herath got more votes than Anura Bandaranaike from the Gampaha District. However, the President will not forget those who stood by him. He will treat them dearly.

Q: But it is reported that the Opposition political parties are to form an alliance to defeat the Government at the forthcoming budget.

A: I want to say that this is a very crucial time for the country. After several decades, the security forces are in the process of uniting the country by defeating LTTE terrorism. Not only capturing LTTE controlled areas, but our valiant soldiers are liberating people from their so-called saviours.

Some foreign elements are trying to interrupt. Development is taking place in 36,000 villages. The Government is in the process of improving infrastructure facilities in these villages. Major development projects have already commenced and some of them are nearing completion.

In the North, the developing of the giant tank has commenced and the Thondamaru Bridge is being developed after 23 years. For the first time in Sri Lanka's history, we have maintained a good growth rate for three years. We have been able to bring down the unemployment rate. While waging a war the Government looks after the welfare of the people while giving fertilizer subsidy. As a total development is taking place in the East and the liberated areas of the North, some pro-LTTE external forces try to disrupt this development. They do not want Sri Lanka to stand on its own.

It is unfortunate to say that some of the local elements have joined these external foreign elements to destroy this development process now. They know that it is difficult to defeat the Mahinda Rajapaksa Government if this development continues. So, these elements can try to defeat the Government to achieve their targets. But, we strongly believe that people of this country will never let these external forces to defeat the Government.

Q: What are these foreign elements that you mentioned?

A: Identification of these elements is the biggest problem. They come in different faces, but we know there is one single face behind all these elements. That is the LTTE.

Q: How vital is the international support for us to crush terrorism?

A: We need the international support to eliminate terrorism.

The Government, which has destroyed the LTTE, is getting adequate support from our foreign friends. Here, the support from our neighbour is very vital. We have a good foreign policy and we are friendly with all the countries.

Q: A different situation is in the making in India now regarding their assistance for us to destroy the LTTE. How does the Government plan to get the Indian support in future ?

A: India has been always with us. We got maximum support from India to crush the LTTE. Last week, the Deputy High Commissioner was summoned by the Indian Government and they have stated their concerns. The Government is seriously considering these concerns now. President Rajapaksa has already instructed the Secretary to take some measures to address their concerns. In that discussion it was told that two major political parties have responded very actively and positively to Sri Lankan issues. From our side, the Government will take all the measures to address those concerns.

Q: You have mentioned about their concerns. What are these concerns?

A: Their main concern is about the civilians in the North and the other is the issues faced by the fisherfolk. We have already taken serious note of addressing these issues and if there are some sort of shortcomings we will address them soon.

Q: The JVP has accused the Government for trying to divide the Opposition and rule. What is your comment?

A: No. I refute that allegation. It is the luck of the country and the President that some of the political parties are getting divided. We did not do anything, but they are divided naturally. I must say that it is very unfortunate that we do not have a powerful Opposition. But, I wish to see they are together. No one can be held responsible because the division is taking place naturally.

Q: Some claim that you have a hand in this second split in the UNP. What do you have to say?

A: I do not know whether it is the second or the 10th split. What I know is that I am not behind any of these splits. I wish and pray that they could solve their internal problems soon and become a strong UNP like earlier.

After solving these crisis, if the UNP wants to join us, the doors are open for them. Those UNPers, who wish to see a peaceful country and those who approve the policies of Rajapaksa Government, can still join the UPFA. I hope many will join us in future.

Q: When will the remaining Provincial Councils be dissolved for elections. Is it after the fall of Kilinochchi or before that?

A: All depends on the decisions of the Governors and the Chief Ministers of those Provincial Councils. But there is nothing to do with the fall of Kilinochchi. The security forces will capture Kilinochchi soon.

Q: You are one of the happiest MPs the day Karuna Amman was sworn in as an MP a few days ago. Will he sit in the Cabinet soon?

A: I really do not know whether he will be appointed as a minister. It is upto the President to decide on it.

However, his becoming an MP is very important as it gives a clear signal that the Tamils in the East have been given an opportunity to represent them in Parliament.

The President had to face a strong opposition when appointing Chandrakanthan as the chief minister, but he took a very bold decision. And today Chandrakanthan is doing well with the assistance of all the Provincial Councillors. He works for all the communities in the province. They have already started the livelihood activities like fisheries and agriculture.

Unfortunately, the Tamils in the Eastern Province were not represented in Parliament for years. Some Tamil MPs have not visited the East for years. Their grievances were not heard and problems were not solved. Now they have been given the opportunity to be represented at the national level.

People in the North will soon get their freedom. I think Karuna Amman becoming an MP is a very positive step towards peace.

Q: You have groomed some to become MPs and ministers. But why don't you take one of the miniseries? Is it because you want to become the Prime Minister?

A: No, I do not have any intention like that. The main thing is I do not have a problem in doing my duty for the country as well as to the President while being an MP. If there is any hindrance to carry out my work in future I will request for it. But I do not have any problem upto now. And the President has the authority to appoint me as a minister, but I think he does not feel the necessity yet.

I think there are many suitable candidates to sit in that chair. I went to the Parliament because I could not do certain things while being outside. I really appreciate the opportunity to go there and I am happy that I have been able to do lots of work within this short period of one year.

Q: Do you think that you are using extra power than a normal MP because you are a brother of the President?

A: No, but if I have used some sort of extra power, it's not to get personal benefits, but for the benefit of the people and this country. As the Presidential Advisor I have a responsibility to do certain things. I think that is not taking extra power, but I have undertaken extra responsibilities, which I think I can perform. Some people can say that I have undertaken too much responsibilities. Especially my family thinks that I am taking responsibilities which I can easily avoid. But I am so happy to take any amount of responsibilities on behalf of the country.

Q: What do you have to say about the progress of the Eastern development? Are you satisfied with the TMVP administration there ?

A: Yes, It is not fiction but those who visit there, can witness the progress. I want them to do more for the development of the East. East will be a model. The whole process of the East has been implemented under three Ds - Demilitarization, Democratization and Development. These three Ds are going parallel. We have achieved remarkable progress.

Q: You are happy about the progress, but according to some politicians like Hakeem the so called Eastern development is still just a cheap political publicity and the whole process is full of corruption. What do you have to say about this allegations ?

A: That depends on the peoples' decision. I have never seen a Provincial Council working so hard to develop their areas. But the Eastern Provincial Councillors and their ministers are working so hard to complete the development projects. Not only them, ministers like Susantha Punchinilame, who spends most of his time in the East are dedicated to develop the East. These projects did not fall from the sky. Lots of dedication and commitment are needed to achieve the targets.

Go to Mavil Aru. It was not repaired after D.S. Senanayake. Go to Morawewe, Kalara and many other areas in the East.

They were badly neglected and never touched by any of the governments. People who stay out of the Eastern Province and people like Hakeem who hardly go there can say many things, but what I can say is that these allegations are insults to these genuine officers who put their heart and soul to develop the East.

Therefore, it is an insult somebody like Hakeem, who hardly visits the East, saying so.