People cannot be fooled by Opposition's false promises

by Uditha Kumarasinghe

Plantation Minister D.M. Jayaratne joined the SLFP as its 13th member on September 2, 1952 at the age of 20 soon after the SLFP was formed by the late Prime Minister S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike. Minister Jayaratne is the most senior politician in the SLFP ranks at present.

He first entered the Parliament in 1970 from Gampola. During his 58 year political career Minister Jayaratne has held many ministerial portfolios such as agriculture, trade and co-operatives, environment, posts and telecommunication, rural economy and livestock development. The minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer commented on the recent political developments and the upcoming General Election.

Q: Why did you decide not to contest the General Election and come from the National List?

A: I wanted to contest the upcoming General Election. I had also formulated my programs after having discussions with all politicians and organisers in the district. I had also made a public statement that I would contest the election. My supporters in the district also wanted me to contest the election. But the Venerable Mahanayaka theras and my relatives were not happy with my decision.

I worked hard at the last Provincial Council and Presidential Elections. As a result, I fell ill and my health condition deteriorated. President Mahinda Rajapaksa too came to know about it. Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga wanted me not to contest the 2004 General Election as she wanted to include my name in the National List. But I contested the Election. This time President Rajapaksa wanted to include my name into the National list based on health grounds. But my supporters wanted me to contest. Finally, I agreed to the President's request.

Q: According to you has the Opposition contesting under two alliances posed a challenge to the Government?

A: It is an absurd decision taken by the UNP and the JVP! If the UNP, JVP and other Opposition political parties had decided to contest under one banner, perhaps it would have been more favourable to them.

If Sarath Fonseka was also in the same alliance, their position would have been more secure. But the sort of division created between the UNP and the JVP has become a big disadvantage to them. The number of candidates elected to the National List is also decided on the total number of votes obtained by the particular political party or alliance. The total number of votes obtained by the UNP and the JVP will be further reduced due to this unwise division. Therefore, this division has made lot of advantage to the UPFA.

Q: Compared to the 2004 General Election, this time more political parties have joined hands with the UPFA Government to contest the upcoming election. Do you think this has further strengthened the Government?

A: Yes, of course. The stability of the Government has been further strengthened due to various political parties rallying round under UPFA. In addition, various artistes, sportsmen and professionals too have extended their support to the Government. They are very popular figures who have won the heart of the people irrespective of their political hues.

Q: As the most senior politician in the SLFP, how do you view the leadership given to the party by the President?

A: The President Mahinda Rajapaksa's leadership is unique. During his first four-year presidency, he put an end to the war and led the country to victory. Despite the war, the Government continued its development drive, "Gama Neguma" and "Maga Neguma". The Government launched the Hambantota new harbour as one of the flagship projects which would generate massive income to the country in the future. The Government has also achieved a rapid progress in the country's health and road development sectors.

The President was able to implement lots of development projects despite the ongoing war in the country. When the global economic recession began to take its toll on the world economy there were reports that people in several countries commit suicide. No such situation arose in Sri Lanka.

The President in his capacity as the Finance Minister handled our economy in such a way that ill-effects of recession could be minimised. It is a significant achievement when compared with other countries in the world. In a situation where the world super powers attempted to intervene in our internal affairs the President as a dynamic leader faced such challenges boldly and safeguarded the dignity of the country.

The President always reiterated the fact that we are all Sri Lankans and there is no minority or majority community as such in our country, only those who love the country and those who do not.

Now that the scourger of terrorism has been eliminated, the President is fully committed to develop the economy and uplift the living conditions of the people. Therefore, the way the President handled the critical situation faced by the country is an example to those placed in similar situations.

Q: Do you think the two- third majority which the Government wants to change the constitution is an urgent need today?

A: Yes, of course. I see this as an urgent need.

The Government needs two-thirds to change the constitution. According to the present electoral system, a candidate has to spend a huge amount of money to conduct his election campaign within the district. The present preferential system has created hatred and dissension various clashes among the candidates within the same political party. The Party Leaders have faced difficulties in selecting suitable candidates.

The voters should have adequate knowledge about their candidates. That would help them select the most suitable candidates. If the present electoral system remains in force, more drug dealers and business racketeers will be elected to Parliament with the help of their wealth. This would lead the country and its political system to virtual disaster.

The present electoral system is ideal for businessmen. There is a dire need to elect suitable persons to Parliament to ensure good governance. The people should themselves identify the suitable people to represent them in Parliament while the aspiring politicians should be able to feel the pulse of the people.

Therefore, the present electoral system needs extensive reforms. If the people give two-thirds to the Government this time, it would help the President to change the electoral system and ensure good governance in the country. I think the people would seriously consider this matter at the upcoming General Election.

Q: The Opposition however says the Government cannot obtain two-thirds under the present electoral system. They allege this is just an attempt to make use of Parliament as a springboard to dictatorship. Your comments?

A: During an election time, the Opposition politicians and political parties make such remarks to change the public mind in their favour to secure more votes. Those who make such baseless allegations never read our political manifestos. They don't have a proper understanding on what the Government intends to do after coming to power. Belatedly the UNP launched their future program for the country last Tuesday.

In order to capture power, the Opposition made various false promises which cannot be fulfilled forever. This is also a similar one. I think the people are so intelligent that they cannot be fooled by such statements. People have lost confidence in the present electoral system under which the political parties find it difficult to field candidates to each and every electorate in a district.

Sometimes there is no MP elected to represent a particular electorate. Voters wish to elect the candidates of their choice to represent their electorate in Parliament. The people really want to change the present electoral system. Therefore, the voters do not support the Opposition claim at all.

Q: The Opposition questions whether the two-third majority is essential to change the present electoral system? They point out that earlier the UNP, JVP and other political parties agreed to change the current electoral system. But the Government didn't respond. Your comments?

A: This is a false statement made by the Opposition. During former President Chandrika Kumaratunga's presidency, all the political parties had agreed to change the constitution. Finally, the UNP who opposed it burnt a copy of the draft constitution in Parliament. Later at a discussion held at the BMICH at which I represented the Government and Karu Jayasuriya the Opposition a consensus was reached and when we were on our way to convey it to the President, Karu Jayasuriya told me that his Leader was opposed to the decision we had arrived at.

Therefore, we have discussed this issue several times. But we were not able to reach a final decision.If the Government gets two-thirds, it will definitely change the present electoral system. Otherwise, it is very difficult to change the present electoral system as the Opposition fail to reach consensus. They just keep on dragging the issue and finally avoid it during the election time.

Q: Do you think a constitutional change would help provide immediate solution to the country's problems?

A: The country's problems cannot be solved by merely changing the constitution. If the constitution is changed, it would provide more opportunities to both the politicians and the people to work together. If the politicians have a close link with the people, it would be very easy for the Government to implement its development programs and sort out the key problems.

Q: Will the Government be able to provide an immediate solution to the national problem through a constitutional change?

A: Definitely. All Opposition political parties participated in the series of discussions held to find a lasting solution to the national problem. During the deliberations, all the parties agreed to some extent to make changes in the administrative structure. I think there is the possibility of formulating a constitution acceptable to all communities.

Q: Are you confident the people would give two-third majority to the Government considering its performances under "Mahinda Chintana" during the past four years?

A: I think so. A large number of Muslims and Tamils has also extended their support to the Government. At present the need is felt among the communities for the formulation of a new constitution which would ensure the rights of all communities. Except for a few Sinhala extremists, all independent minded Sinhalese are of the view that a responsive administrative structure acceptable to all communities be formulated.

A large segment of the estate community has also extended their support to the Government. During the past four years, the Government has implemented a large number of programs to overcome the problems faced by the estate community. If the Government gets the support of minorities, there is every possibility of obtaining two-thirds majority.

Q: How do you observe the socio-economic development under "Mahinda Chintana" during the past four years?

A: The Government has embarked upon a massive development drive under "Maga Neguma" and "Gama Neguma." We have never seen this kind of mega development process taking place in this country.

The Government has constructed or renovated an extensive road network. Initiatives have also been taken to construct a large number of new building complexes, schools and hospitals countrywide. In addition, the Government has provided 600,000 new employments to the youth including graduates as well.

During the former UNP regime, even a single job was not given to the youth. Irrigation facilities have also been provided to a large number of farmers to engage in their agricultural activities without a hindrance. In order to overcome the land problem of the people, thousands of blocks of lands have been distributed among the people. Financial assistance has been given to the low income families to construct their houses.

Under the Samurdhi program, credit facilities have been given to Samurdhi beneficiary families to commence various self employment ventures. The Government has launched the construction of five harbours including Hambantota harbour. Initiatives have also been taken to develop the country's religious places. The Government has ensured rapid development in all key sectors while the military operations against the terrorists were in progress.

Q: How the UPFA has planned its election strategy in Kandy district?

A: Definitely the UPFA will win eight seats from the Kandy district but our target is to get one more. The Opposition would perhaps obtain only four seats.