'I have a clear political vision' - Wayamba Province UNP group leader

By Jaliya Wijeyekoon

The Provincial Council system was introduced during J.R. Jayawardene's Presidency in 1987 under the 13th Amendment amidst objections from various parties including some of his own party stalwarts. The main purpose of setting up PCs was to find a solution to the North East problem which had been dragging on for years. It is doubtful whether the purpose was served by the then merged North-East Provincial Council which had only a short life span and functioned under the chief ministership of Vartharajah Perumal who made a UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence) and later left the country.

However, all other Provincial Councils took firm root in the provincial administration and worked quite cordially with the central government. PC elections were held in all Provinces every five years since its inception except the North and the East.

After the eradication of terrorism the government had decided to hold elections in the North along with Central and Wayamba Provinces on September 21, 2013. Nominations had been accepted from registered parties and some independent groups to all three PCs and the candidates are busy with their propaganda activities to capture power in their provinces.

The Wayamba PC had been under the UNP rule for three consecutive terms since its inception and the last two terms had been under SLFP led UPFA.

The Sunday Observer had an exclusive interview with the Wayamba Province group leader of the United National Party, Shamal Senerath to ascertain the political situation and the party propaganda activities and other election-related matters. Excerpts of the interview:

Q: Can you explain briefly your family background, education and your political career so far in the Kurunegala district?

A: Well, we have been living in the Kurunegala district for generations and my father was a landed proprietor and my mother, a housewife. I studied upto grade 5 in Kurunegala and went to Nalanda College, Colombo for higher studies.

I entered the Law Faculty of Colombo University in 1986 in which period I was interested in politics.

The University remained closed during the1988/89 insurgency and I was compelled to come back to Kurunegala and it was the time I actively took part in local politics.

I contested the Alawwa Pradeshiya Sabha and emerged victorious at my first attempt itself in 1991 and I bade goodbye to my higher education as a second year law student at the Colombo University.

In 1993 I was nominated by the party to contest the PC elections and since then I have been representing Kurunegala district in the Wayamba PC during the past four terms and at every election I had been successful in increasing the number of votes polled by me and the party.

I was the Chief Opposition Whip of the WPC for a long time and when Wadigamangawa broke away, I was appointed the Opposition Leader of the WPC in which post I discharged my duties satisfactorily until it was dissolved.

Q: What made you choose the United National Party to do politics?

A: There are number of reasons for me to choose my party. I have studied the history of my country from my student days at Nalanda College and I was impressed by the performance of D.S. Senanayake and his contemporaries of the UNP who had rendered a great service to the socio-economic development of my country.

My parents and even my grand parents were close asociates of the leaders of the UNP of yester-year and quite naturally I have been attracted to the party for which I shall devote my entire life.

Q: You have been nominated by the party as the team leader of the district which is undoubtedly a big challenge. How do you hope to face this challenge?

A: I am prepared to accept challenges. My previous position as Opposition Leader was also a challenge to me at the beginning but I enjoyed it and fulfilled the responsibilities to the satisfaction of my party hierarchy.

Similarly I am sure leading our team in the province will not be an arduous task for me.

Q: Do you get the fullest cooperation from UNP parliamentarians of the district?

A: Yes, of course – Gamini Jayawickrema Perera is a father to everyone of us in the district. He guides me, advises me and encourages me in all my activities in politics. I always seek his advise on various matters. Our party president of the district, Akila Viraj Kariawasam renders unstinted support to me not only in my election campaign but in all other political activities in the province.

Ashoka Abeysinghe who patched up differences with the leader is aggressively involved in our election campaign and working relentlessly for our victory from dawn to dusk.

Newly appointed MP Nalin Bandara is working very closely with us with the firm intention of forming a UNP administration in the Wayamba Provincial Council.

Q: Do you think that you lived upto the expectations of the party hierarchy as the Opposition Leader of WPC during your tenure?

A: Yes, I think I had performed my duties as the Opposition Leader of

the WPC to my utmost potential. My services had been multi-faceted – I got the fullest cooperation from all our members and also I should state that even the ruling party members have supported me on a number of occasions.

Q: What is your main theme on the political platform in launching your aggressive election campaign to woo support for the party?

A: I have already formulated my personal election manifesto and my main theme is to achieve prosperity for the Wayamba Province through a clear political vision. During the remaining few weeks of the campaign I hope to visit every nook and corner of the province and educate the people not to be misled by the usual broken promises of the government but to support the UNP members headed by myself who have presented a viable and pragmatic development program for the socio-economic and agricultural development of the province sans corruption. We are quite confident that people will vote for the UNP at the forthcoming provincial Council election as they have learnt bitter lessons during the last number of elections having elected UPFA to power.

Q: Kurunegala district is represented in parliament by a number of powerful ministers in the UPFA. In this backdrop do you think it is possible for the UNP to emerge victorious in the district?

A: They are more powerful than us only in monetary terms. Wayamba Province is basically an agricultural area where most of the people depend on paddy cultivation. Agriculture had been neglected during the last number of years and no new methods or programs have been introduced to increase production. Certain programs which the UNP had initiated in the past have been stalled.

Q: How is your relationship with UPFA candidates in the district.

A: Very good and cordial. Some of them are my personal friends. When I am out on canvassing I visit their houses too and have friendly chats. My aim is to develop a friendly and peaceful political culture in our province replacing the conventional hatred. Our team members meet very often and discuss matters to avoid misunderstandings and iron out differences and conduct a very peaceful election campaign.

Q: Wayamba has a notorious track record specially in respect of Provincial Council elections. Do you think there will be a repetition?

A: I don't think so. All our party leaders and election officials have had lengthy discussions and everybody have compromised to conduct the election smoothly sans violence and rigging.

We have taken all possible measures to avoid such incidents. We hope to intensify our campaign and take concrete measures at the latter stages with all stakeholders.

Q: How is the support you get from your team members?

A: Excellent. Our team comprises professionals and those of high calibre apart from the sitting members. We have selected candidates having scrutinised their track record as politicians representing the district. Our campaign is mainly centered on garnering votes for the party rather than running after preferential votes. All candidates are committed to bring the party to power.

Q: It is quite evident that certain candidates have been infighting for preferential votes from the beginning. Do you have similar problems too?

A: They should be ashamed of the number of election related violence amongst themselves. There is hardly 10 days to the elections. At this rate there could be worse problems in the days to come in their camp.

As I told you earlier we are a united team and we follow all instructions given to us by our party leader and we will conduct an exemplary election campaign and emerge victorious.

Q: Finally what have you got to tell the people in your district?

A: Please exercise your franchise to elect honest and trustworthy members who are genuinely interested in developing the district rather than enjoying the perks and privileges.