'I am loyal to my leader':

Ex-Mayoress confident of victory at LG polls

By Jaliya WIJEYEKOON

Twenty-three bodies of Local Councils are getting ready for the elections scheduled to be held on October 8 and all the major parties are actively involved in their election campaigns.

Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia is one of the main local bodies in the Colombo district and all party leaders will focus attention on the Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council apart from the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia MC had been under the UNP rule for the most number of terms since its inception and its last term was again under the UNP and the Mayoress was former Minister Mrs. Sunethra Ranasinghe.

Sunday Observer had an exclusive interview with Sunethra Ranasinghe, the Ex-Mayoress of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council with regard to the forthcoming local Govt. election.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: The Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia MC had been under your stewardship during the last term and it had also been under the UNP for a long time. Can you briefly explain the history of your MC.

A: The Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Urban Council was upgraded to a Municipal Council in 1955 and the first Mayor of it was my late father S. de S. Jayasinghe. He was the Mayor for a very long period until he entered parliament. Our Council was under the UNP right along except for one occasion where C.V. Gooneratne was elected Mayor in the late '80s. Again we won the Council and I took it over at the beginning of the last term.

Q: What was the composition of the party members in the Council during the last term?

A: We had 15 members and the joint opposition had 14 - (UPFA 10, JVP 3, Hela Urumaya 1).

Q: Didn't you have any problem with the Opposition in carrying out your work as the chief of the MC.

A: Absolutely No. Opposition Leader Kessaralal Gunasekera was very cooperative and helped us with all development programs which I initiated for the welfare of the ratepayers. I got the cooperation and support of all Opposition members. They are in some of my development committees. We passed all our budgets unanimously during the last few years.

Q: What is the total voter strength in your Council?

A: Our Council consists of two electorates. Dehiwala and Ratmalana. We have over 64,000 voters in Dehiwala and around 67,000 in the Ratmalana electorate. The most number of UNP members always get elected from the Dehiwala electorate. We have a substantial percentage of Muslim voters and Tamil voters who support our party.

Q: Garbage disposal is one of the main problems faced by every local body in the island. I believe you too would have experienced the same problem some time ago. How did you overcome this problem?

A: Yes it was a big problem to me then. But I formulated a very practical program to clean the garbage regularly and transport it to the dump.

We collect garbage on main roads daily while avenues and by-roads garbage are collected once in two days. We receive complaints from ratepayers daily and now the situation has improved and people are happy.

Q: Labour controlling or man-management is yet another difficult area according to some local body heads. How did you fare well in this aspect being a lady?

A: I fully endorse what other heads say. I admit, it is a difficult task. My personal view is that if you are honest, straight forward and rigid and also kind-hearted labour handling is easy. I never entertain tale carriers. My MC had many labour disputes before I took over. I ironed out all problems gradually and now it is running smoothly.

Apart from that I had many problems and complaints from the public. I have advised, trained and made some attitudinal changes among my staff members who cater to the needs of the public. Many people started praising the council of late irrespective of party or political differences.

There had been occasions where I have taken disciplinary action against some employees who were UNP supporters. As the Mayoress of our Council and in performing my duties I do not take into consideration the party affiliations or any difference for that matter. I treat everybody alike.

I know some people may not like it.

But I strongly believe in my refined policies and principles. Corruption and indiscipline are two things which I can't stand and I have no mercy for rogues or culprits.

When you are actively involved in politics you have to work with all types of people. Some approach you as very loyal but their motive may be to get undue benefits through the power you command.

You shouldn't fall prey to these traps. Some time back even my life was threatened and I sought police protection. But the government never gave me police protection.

Q: You have successfully completed your first term. Have you formulated a new program or identified new priorities to appeal to the public of your MC area to seek re-election at the forthcoming polls.

A: I have performed my duties honestly, diligently and impartially during the past four years and maintained a clean administration at the Municipal Council. No one accuses us on any malpractices or corruption > I hope to continue my good work during the next term also until a UNP government returns to power.

I am quite confident that the UNP will return to power in the council with a bigger majority than last time at the forthcoming polls.

Q: I believe that you have a personal vote base. But this time things are different and it will not be an easy victory for your party with the over hanging presence of the government. What do you say about it?

A: Yes I know the ruling party is all out to win all local bodies.

But the vote is in the poor ratepayers' hands. See the cost of living today. I am quite sure that we could win the forthcoming Municipal Council election.

Q: It is an open secret that your party is in a mess right now with a leadership dispute. Don't you think that it is detrimental to the forward march of the party when there is an election round the corner?

A: It is a very pathetic situation. But they have sorted out matters and hope to launch an aggressive campaign to win the local elections.

Q: You have been branded as a Ranil loyalist. Do you think that you will be able to garner the support of other groups.

A: I am loyal to my leader always and all are my friends. I have no problems with anybody in my party. Therefore all party members will support me at the election.

Q: You are a very senior and seasoned politician in the party compared to the neophytes who are very vociferous. Why don't you intervene and try to sink differences and re-establish the unity in the party?

A: We always talk to everybody and try our best to settle matters. I am sure in the very near future all the problems will end and our party will bounce back to power.