UNP, JVP made strange bedfellows ! -Prime Minister

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who made a pledge to destroy the LTTE during his political campaign in 2005, made it a reality within four years of his six year term, by pulverizing the world’s most ruthless terrorist organisation - the LTTE, - in all four corners of the country.

Going for an early poll, he called for a fresh mandate to build the country from the ashes, to make it Asia’s best.

“But he needs the support of all Sri Lankans irrespective of party politics and colour”, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake said.

In an interview with the Sunday Observer he said that apart from the war victory President’s call to the people to help him develop the country made him win the election.

The Premier said that the well drafted comprehensive development plan for future - the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dekma - by President Rajapaksa would guide the country in its long march towards development.

Pix Vipula Amerasinghe

*President Rajapaksa secured a majority of 1.8 million votes

*President Rajapaksa says ‘Let us forget the past and get together to develop the country’

*Need more support to win the General Election.

*The pact between the Opposition candidate and TNA had influenced the people of the North and the East to vote against the President.

*We will continue to develop the North and East.

*No moves to arrest Gen. Sarath Fonseka.

*President has already commenced his ‘war’ against corruption.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

Q: President Rajapaksa secured 1.8 million majority votes at the recent Presidential Election and secured a landslide victory. What are the main factors other than the war victory that contributed to his success?

A: The factors are simple to understand. As you said the war victory had a salutary effect on his gaining more votes. No development can be achieved without peace. But here, while giving the political leadership to defeat the ruthless LTTE terrorism, the President gave top priority to develop the country.

Now the war is over and there is an opportunity for development. President Rajapaksa went before the people asked for a mandate to develop the country, which is his priority during his second term.

The President wanted not only a developed country but a disciplined one as well. We have inherited a unique culture and advanced civilization. If we develop Sri Lanka like the Europe without realising disastrous impacts that may occur on our people this country will be entering into a political desert. President Rajapaksa wants to give the pride of place to our traditional cultural values.

The Government has a massive development plan, which covers everything from agriculture to power generation to infrastructure development to investment promotion. But it needs the support of all people irrespective of party politics and other narrow differences. That is why President Rajapaksa says ‘let us forget the past now and get together to develop the country’. It is the need of the hour and he has sought the mandate for that.

Q: How crucial is the forthcoming general election and how confident the government in securing a greater victory?

A: Yes, it is a very crucial election that will decide the future of the country. We are seeking a two-third majority in the Parliament and for that the people must give us a viable mandate in the general election. I must say we need much more support than at the Presidential election. If we can’t get the two third majority we would not be able to change the current electoral laws to do away with the preferential system of voting.

All Sri Lankans want a much better way of life and a higher living standard and therefore they will definitely vote for us. The development of the country also amounts to developing the people.

Q: Some pre-poll acts of violence were reported during the run up to the Presidential Election and despite the polls monitors’ prediction of violence the government on its part did everything possible to ensure a violent-pre election. How did the government succeed in arresting violence?

A: Regrettably several unfortunate incidents happened in the run up to the polls. We took the necessary measures to prevent violence. But unfortunately some of those incidents were blown out of proportion, especially by the international media.

The people had been very mindful of the need to avoid violence and they helped the Police to maintain law and order on the election day and also after the election. This shows how responsible were the people themselves.

Q: What were the extra measures taken to maintain this situation to have a violence free post election?

A: We had taken certain appropriate measures but I can’t disclose them now as we have to make use of them at the forthcoming general election as well.

Q: Why do you think both the UNP and JVP have lost at least a one million vote base when you compare the results of this election with that of the 2005 election?

A: It was mainly due to poor confidence that voters reposed in these two parties. People do not have confidence in them any more.

They went along two directions but suddenly they got onto a common platform. Earlier the JVP said they would never share the same forum with the UNP as they represented a different class and as such will not tie up with the UNP. But suddenly they became thick friends and walked in the same direction!

The moment they got onto one platform, people started hating them and I think they thought about them twice. People could not believe them any more. Therefore, they responded to them well at the election!

Q: Do you think the Opposition would have got a bigger number of votes if Ranil Wickremesinghe or any other prominent politician contested with President Rajapaksa, instead of a political neophyte like General Fonseka?

A: I too agree he is a novice in politics. Ranil Wickremesinghe who lost almost 13 elections was rejected by the people and they know very well he can’t win any more.

Q: The government had pumped lots of money to develop the North and East but the Opposition got the majority votes in those provinces. Do you think that the alleged secret pact between the Opposition candidate and the TNA that allegedly promised to re-merge the two provinces was the main factor behind it?

A: No doubt, the main reason for Northern and Eastern people to vote for the Opposition was the pact signed with the TNA. It is obvious from the election results. Whether one agrees or not, yet another thing is apparent. Still the TNA has a bearing on Tamil voters.

But as a responsible government we treat all citizens alike, whether they are in the North or East or anywhere else. Irrespective of their voting preferences we continue to help them.

The Mahinda Rajapaksa government which saved them from the LTTE terror and has now planned to develop their areas not because of the votes. That is our duty as well as responsibility.

All citizens are equal to us and the government will continue to develop their areas and help them. Just because they were misled for political gain we can’t overlook them.

There are lots of development projects on the cards under the Mahinda Chinthana Idiri Dakma to develop the North and East.

Q: Referring to the National problem the President has said that he will present a solution before the people and parliament. Do you think that this will commence in earnest at least before the general election?

A: I don’t think that a solution can be found overnight as it is a very intricate problem. It needs discussions among all parties. The solution must be acceptable to all parties. It will take some time.

Q: Is there any truth in the rumour that the government was planning to arrest Gen. Fonseka after the election?

A: No, I refute this claim. There is no truth at all in most of the stories going around the country.

Q: What are the challenges ahead of the government in future?

A: The challenges are tremendous. Our main challenge is to drive this country towards development. Under Mahinda Chinthana, President Rajapaksa has underscored these targets very clearly. It is a well articulated and a comprehensive plan for the country’s future.

But the main challenge for the president is that he can’t go for it alone. He needs people’s support to achieve the development priorities. Even the Parliament alone cannot steer without the support of the people of this country.

After the tsunami struck the country, people got together to wriggle out from the debris. The whole country worked towards achieving a single goal. No party politics could had its way as the people were united themselves.

The same unity prevailed during the war against the LTTE terror. Until the military crushed the LTTE, people of this country tolerated everything and gave their maximum support to defeat the 30-year suffering! They invoked their blessings on the government and the military to reach the final goal - destroy the LTTE and Prabhakaran.

Likewise, President Rajapaksa wants the same support and unity to develop Sri Lanka. We need to rise from the ashes. He is the President of all people and the need of the hour is to join with him to achieve the set targets.

Q: One major slogan of the Opposition was the corruption charges against the government?

A: No doubt, President Rajapaksa has already announced his battle against corruption. As we won the war, we will win that too. This was very clearly indicated by the President as one of his targets in the next term. What we want is sort of a culture which will arm the people to fight corruption. During his second term of office, the President will take more meaningful steps to eliminate corruption and waste. Alongside the development targets, the battling corruption will be given a fair consideration under Mahinda Chinthana plan.