Govt will end terror, restore democracy in North

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer called 2009 the year of ending terrorism. He said the Government will re-establish the democratic form of governance in the North by creating an environment conducive to the people to elect their own representatives and to have a decent way of life. The Government as a matter of policy has decided that terrorism must be wiped out from this country once and for all, he said.

Excerpts:

Q: The Government has declared 2009 as the year of victory over terrorism. Are you optimistic of achieving this goal?

A: This terrorism problem has been there for 30 years. The Government as a matter of policy has decided that terrorism must be wiped out once and for all. We have chosen the difficult task of eradicating terrorism through operations because past experience has indicated that the discussions ultimately ended in failure. They used the discussions to strengthen themselves. Therefore we decided it is useless going for further talks. We had two series of discussions with the LTTE. But we were convinced that they were not fruitful. Therefore we decided to turn to the other course of action. That is wiping out terrorism.

Our valiant Armed forces will accomplish this task. This is a question of time now. Our military operations have moved forward very fast. That shows that we are reaching the place where we want to reach. The aspirations of the people have been curtailed up to now because of one man, Prabhakaran. Children in the North were unable to go to school. They are recruited to the LTTE by force. They have no choice. This has to come to an end. After terrorism is wiped out, we have a bigger task to fulfill. Namely the establishment of democracy there. Local Government authorities should be re-established there by providing the democratic rights to the people to elect their own representatives. Thereafter we can get into a discussion with the people.

The people who have escaped the clutches of the LTTE have stated that they lived like prisoners and they didn’t have any freedom whatsoever. Therefore this is the year of liberation and ending terrorism in this country.

Q: Is the Government ready with a political package to be implemented once the LTTE is defeated?

A: First and the foremost, we must activate the democratic form of Governance. The Government’s sole intention is to end terrorism, hold the Local Government and Provincial Council elections in the North and thereafter talk to the people and find out what they want. The APRC is also working on another solution to this issue. But all these issues can be solved through the representatives who will be elected by the people there.

Q: With the Forces’ offensive intensifying how are you going to ensure the safety of the civilians?

A: Not a single civilian has been harmed or injured so far due to these ongoing military operations. Therefore we expect to continue the same pattern until the end of this task.

Q: How will the Government respond to the concerns of India?

A: Now the fighting has nearly come to an end. We are about to close the doors. Whenever a certain section of people in Tamil Nadu creates problems, the Indian Government will have to respond to it. But the Indian Prime Minister has made it quite clear that the India does not want to interfere with the internal affairs of Sri Lanka. India has extended its fullest support to combat terrorism which has become a serious threat to the entire region.

Q: The President recently said he will ban the LTTE if it holds back the innocent civilians by force. Will this not jeopardise hopes for future talks?

A: The Government is not prepared to talk to the LTTE until they lay down arms. They should be without weapons.

Q: You have given a huge relief package to the people. How are you going to ensure that they will benefit in tangible terms?

A: This package was formulated as a result of a series of discussions held with representatives of various key sectors affected by the world economic crisis. We have consulted all the relevant authorities in the tea, rubber, coconut and the agricultural sector. We also consulted other relevant parties such as exporters, producers and the factory owners as well. This is not our own concept. We have only provided the necessary framework with which all these sectors can work out to safeguard their interests.

Q: Can you be satisfied with the economic growth achieved last year?

A: We are trying our best to maintain at least 6 per cent economic growth. It is remarkable to maintain an economic growth of this magnitude amidst the conflict. We have not stopped any of our development projects due to military operations. Now these operations are coming to an end. Therefore the money spent on these military operations can be diverted to the country’s development. The Government has successfully faced the world economic crisis due to sound economic policies.

Q: Will the Government hold a General Election this year?

A: Why should the Government go for a General Election unnecessarily? We have mustered a clear majority in Parliament and the majority of the people are with the Government. The Government will hold elections at the appropriate time.

Q: Are you confident of winning the upcoming Provincial Council Elections?

A: We will not hold elections if we are not confident. The Government will achieve a landslide victory at the Provincial Councils polls in the Central and North Western Provinces.