From media to politics:

Public service, aim of both professions - Sudharman

Sudharman Radhaliyagoda is not at all a strange face in the field of media. He is popular among colleagues for his down to earth attitude, pleasant nature and good qualities. The journalist-turned-politician received his primary education at Asoka Vidyalaya, Colombo from which he entered Ananda College, Colombo to continue his higher studies. He reached the peak of his career as a media personality when he was appointed General Manager (News and Current affairs) at Independent Television Network (ITN). He conducted the popular political program `Tulawa’ on ITN before his debut in the political arena a few months ago.

Here are some excerpts of the interview the Sunday Observer had with him:

Q: We would like to know your family background?

A: Well, my father is from a small hamlet called Radhaliyagoda in Kurunegala where only 28 families lived. He holds the proud record of being the first ever student to enter the university from that village. He held a senior post at the Central Bank. His love for his native village was such that he adopted the name of the village as his surname instead of his given surname Siriwardene. The then Prime Minister requested my father to take charge of the Bingiriya electorate and to become the chief organiser of the SLFP there. Upon vehement protests from my mother and sister, my father had to give up all hopes of entering the political arena.

I am the youngest of a family of four. Though we were born and bred in Kolonnawa, there was a strong bond between the village and our family.

Q: What made you quit journalism and enter a totally different field like politics?

A: Politics is not totally strange to me. From childhood I had a political background at home. My father was ardently involved in politics. He had strong connections to Leftist politicians such as N.M.Perera.

Even though I had been involved in the media field for 22 years, most of the time, I moved with political circles and politicians. So, I learned politics and experienced politics. Moreover, my connection with President Mahinda Rajapaksa was one of the reasons behind me entering politics. He invited me several times to join hands with him as a politician to contribute to the development process taking place in the country.

Q: You have connections with a lot of politicians. For how long have you known the politician Mahinda Rajapaksa?

A: I have known him since 1988. He has been my teacher, my guide and a good friend. I respect him more than any other politician.

I am proud to have been with him when he had no one around him at crucial stages in his political career. I was always there with him, giving all the support he needed. Most people who surround him now were not there for him when he faced many political tides.

He faced challenges successfully when his life was in peril during the 88-89 period. I and a few close friends were there with him during that dangerous period when he firmly needed to stand against injustices despite threats to life. I am proud to have been beside him as an encouragement when he had no one for support.

I extended my fullest support to him as a journalist when he launched protests such as Pada Yathra and Minis Damwela. These campaigns faced numerous obstacles; some people discouraged him whenever he wanted to start something new. When he contested the Presidential Election in 2005, apart from his family there was hardly anyone to support him. Like in the past, I rendered my support at that point too. Then I was labelled as “Mahindata Kade Yanawa”. Yes, I am a biased journalist. I claim that without any hesitancy. I reiterate that I am proud to be one of his close comrades extending necessary support to him. We still have that strong bond between us.

Q: Personally, which field are you most interested in, media or politics?

A: I have 22 years experience in the field of media, but only a few months’ experience in active politics. Yet, I love the media personality more than the politician in me.

Q: Comparing politics and media, which do you think is the most suitable profession to serve people?

A: Both do the same job in two different ways. As a media personality, you can inform authorised bodies of the problems people face and can reveal incidents of corruption. But you cannot find solutions to problems. That’s where the services of the politician are needed.

Q: You were appointed Chief Organiser for the Panduwasnuwara electorate. Everyone expected you to contest in the General Election 2010 from Kurunegala District. What is the reason for the sudden change of plans, to contest from Colombo District?

A: Well, the President appointed me the Chief Organiser for the Panduwasnuwara electorate and I executed my responsibility to the maximum during the Presidential Election. I would say some politicians got on with me in a friendly manner during that period and after the election, specially when they realised the warm response I received from the people there, they became worried about my presence in the Kurunegala electorate.

As a result of this conspiracy, they were able to throw me out of the Kurunegala District. I was fed up and wanted to quit politics. Yet, the President never let me become disheartened and asked me to contest from my hometown - Colombo district. That’s why, within a period of two weeks, I returned to Colombo and started my campaign.

Q: Did you get a satisfactory response from the politicians in Colombo?

A: Yes of course! They were not afraid to have me in the Colombo District. Colombo District leader Susil Premajayanth made a strong decision that whatever protests are made he would stand by me. He is a pillar of strength to me. Apart from him, Dullas Alahapperuma and Wimal Weerawansa too helped me regain my lost morale.

Q: How about the response you received from the people?

A: It is a rousing welcome. I believe all of them will support me.

Q: There are more experienced and popular candidates in the Colombo District UPFA list. Are you confident that you can give them a good fight?

A: I agree with you. There are experienced and popular candidates in the UPFA list from the Colombo district. I do not say I am on par with them, but I am confident that people will support me. This is the first election I’m facing as a candidate. I do not want to score the highest preferential votes. I merely want to get a sufficient number of votes to be elected to parliament so that I may be able to extend my helping hand to the public.

Q: At the Presidential Election, President Mahinda Rajapaksa bagged a landslide victory. Do you think the UPFA will be able to secure the eagerly expected two thirds majority?

A: Yes, of course! There is not an iota of doubt about that. There is no better government than the present one which is development and people-oriented. People know that. People know who truly loves the country and who does not. The trust people have placed in the government was proved by the Presidential Election results. President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s popularity is huge.

I do not say all MPs are equally popular among people. But one sure thing is that the Opposition is stranded and has lost its popularity. People are fed up with their unhealthy politics.

Q: Your campaign slogans are quite attractive. How did you chose slogans such as, Ape Ekeki Me Minisa and Sudharmanta Mavu Bime Kothanath Ekai?

A: Well, anywhere in my motherland is alright for me. I love the people in this country. I can go to any electorate and take part in the election. That’s the meaning of the slogan “Sudharmanta Mavu Bime Kothanath Ekai”.

Wherever I go, people greet me saying “This is our man”.

If I go to my school, they gather round me and say “this is our man”. When I’m among media people, they gather round me saying “this is our man”. When I go to Kurunegala, or Colombo, or Jaffna or Vanni, they gather round me saying “this is our man”.