Sumathipala targets top slot

by Shirajiv Sirimane

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has promised to make Sri Lanka, the wonder of Asia and Colombo District candidate Thilanga Sumathipala’s vision is to make Colombo, the “Excellence of Asia”.

Sumathipala told the Sunday Observer that Sri Lanka, a powerful and vibrant nation is yet to unleash its potential.

The President spearheaded the humanitarian operation and put an end to the 30-year-old terror campaign. Steps must now be taken to eliminate the root causes of the problems that started the conflict, he said.

Sumathipala said when Sri Lanka is made the Wonder of Asia, people would not feel a sense of frustration, be unemployed or feel overlooked as they would together share the fruits of prosperity and better living standards.

The youth would never ever want to resort to violence as they too would have the opportunity to amass wealth.

He said that the formula for Sri Lanka to become the Wonder of Asia is spelled out in the Second phase of the Mahinda Chinthana and Colombo can play the lead role as its the hub of economic and commercial activities.

Five of the main pillars of making Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia, the Colombo Seaport and the Airport, Trade and Commerce and most importantly the IT workforce are in the Colombo district and my intention is to take the lead in the campaign to make Colombo, the “Excellence of Asia.”

“This was one of the main reasons for me to contest the forthcoming General election.”

He said within a relatively short period of two years he transformed Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) from a company that was remitting over US $ 40 million of Sri Lankan money to Japan, into one that earned over billions of rupees for the Sri Lankan Government, simultaneously making it one of the best Government-owned entities and the largest Public Quoted Company in Sri Lanka.

SLT customers who had been on the waiting list for more than two years to get telephones were given connections within two days and the technology that was introduced made it one of the best Telecom companies in the region.

He introduced CDMA phones to the SLT and retained its customer base while competing with other private players.

“Under my management Mobitel that was remitting millions of rupees to Australia was made the number one telecommunication player in Sri Lanka,” he said. Hailing from a family of art, himself, a great connoisseur of art and theatre, he introduced the Sumathi Tele Awards in 1996 to honour local artistes and technicians for their best performance.

A devout Buddhist, printer and publisher who had studied at the Yokahama University and Harvard Business School (USA), Sumathipala, a product of Nalanda College who shone in cricket also played for Blackheath Cricket Club in the Kent County, England. Having obtained 159,603 votes at the last Western Provincial Council election, Thilanga was later appointed as the Borella UPFA Organiser.

As a professional his aim is to shoulder bigger responsibilities and become a dedicated stakeholder in Sri Lanka’s new campaign for development, to ensure a better future for all.

Q: What were your notable achievements as a Provincial Councillor?

A: Artificial limbs worth over four million rupees were presented to disabled soldiers and a scheme was implemented to develop 100 roads of the 749 in the Western Province at a cost of Rs. 50 million in the last nine months.

Infrastructure and health facilities were also provided for some of the most neglected households in Colombo.

In addition free exercise books for over one lakh of schoolchildren were donated. This was in addition to providing houses, fisheries, self-employment ventures and other basic needs of the people in Colombo.

The Colombo Municipal Council should play a bigger role towards the development of Colombo city and it’s time for the Council to fall in line.

Q: Why did you leave the SLFP for a brief period?

A: I left the party in 2000 due to the wrong policies and decisions of the then party leadership.

But, I decided to join hands with the SLFP again after President Mahinda Rajapaksa assumed duties as the party President.

Q: What are your views on the current electoral system?

A: The Proportional Representation (PR) system is causing many unnecessary problems even among party members dividing its own group and creating animosity which is against religious principles.

A new system has to be introduced and to achieve it, a strong Government should be formed.

Q: What have you done for cricket, first as Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket, and then of the Asian Cricket Council and the International Cricket Council Director?

A: As Chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket while providing numerous benefits to the cricketers I created a new brand name, ‘Sri Lanka Cricket’. I took the initiative in the construction of the Dambulla International Stadium which is considered one of the best venues in the world for cricket.

I also helped upgrade the old Galle Stadium to international standards, making it one of the much talked about venues in the world cricket arena.

Both venues when hosting events bring numerous economic benefits for tourism and to the rural community in the areas.

I also presented a Five-Year Plan titled, ‘A New Era for Cricket in Sri Lanka’ focusing on five key areas - International Cricket, Domestic Cricket, Development, Administration and Finance.

Q: What is your forecast for the Colombo District?

A: The Government will win handsomely and I hope to end up as number one in the SLFP list.