Differences in any democratic party common :

... but UNP will make headway - Ranjan Ramanayake

By Jaliya Wijekoon

The legal profession was considered to be a gateway to the political arena in the good old days and almost all top class politicians of both camps were eminent lawyers when parliamentary democracy was introduced in the country. However, with the passage of time, the trend was slackened and people from different professions and different strata of society started taking to politics. Some of them ended their political career or retired from politics as successful politicians who rendered a great service to the nation, while a few didn't live up to the expectations of the people who voted them to power. Popular and unparalleled actor Gamini Fonseka was the first local film star to enter the political field, and made his mark in the country under the green banner. Since then, four film stars had been elected to Parliament from the United National Party, namely Ravindra Randeniya, Ranjan Ramanayake, Jayantha Ketagoda and Upeksha Swarnamali, while the solo member from the UPFA is Postal Minister Jeewan Kumaratunga.

The Sunday Observer had an exclusive interview with the Ratnapura district Parliamentarian, popular film star Ranjan Ramanayake, to ascertain the present political activities, party affairs and the future course of action with regard to the forthcoming elections in the country.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: Being a star performer in your chosen profession, what made you take to politics and that too, under the United National Party, when your closest relatives were from the other camp?

A: Well, I was engaged in the entertaining industry for quite some time and I was critical of the politicians and politics of the day through some of my movies such as Parliament Jokes, One Shot and The Leader. I received huge publicity, and not only my fans, but even moderate and analytical viewers appreciated them and made many requests from me. Most of them wanted me to directly get involved in politics and bring it back to the correct track.

Around this time, I was privileged to visit Lebanon and spend a few months there during which time, I gained first-hand information on the suffering of our women who go abroad seeking greener pastures.

I visited the Sri Lankan Embassy's 'Safe House' in Lebanon and was shocked to see the suffering of our migrant workers who were quite helpless. After I returned to the island, I took up this matter with the authorities and launched a vigorous campaign to alleviate the suffering of those who were victimised. However, I had to encounter a number of constraints as I was not a public figure then; I was only a film star.

That was the time when Ranil Wickremesinghe invited me to join the UNP and contest the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council (PC) as the Chief Ministerial candidate. I gladly accepted the offer and contested and polled over 132,000 votes as against UPFA's CM who polled only 95,000 votes.

The second part of your question is, why I chose the United National Party to do politics. Well, I am a person who strongly believes in leaders rather than party policies and principles. I have studied the lives of all our party leaders and I know that there is no other leader who can match Ranil Wickremesinghe in respect of honesty, integrity, loyalty and who possesses an ocean of knowledge on democracy and national and international issues. He has amply demonstrated his capabilities and his true commitment to democracy right through his political career.

As a person who admires and appreciates these qualities, and also as a strong critic of corruption, I was naturally attracted to the United National Party. I have a strong feeling and I am quite confident that we can form a corruption-free and people-friendly administration in the near future under Ranil Wickremesinghe's leadership.

Internal conflicts

Q: Your party is in disarray with a number of divisions and internal conflicts. In this backdrop, how can you say that you will form a UNP government under the present leadership?

A: It is a common feature in any democratic party to have differences of opinion on various matters, especially when they have remained stagnant in the Opposition for a long time. Can't you remember what happened to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party from 1977-1994? It had a number of divisions. Moreover, their party leaders had gone to courts to settle matters.

However, when the time came, they were all united and we were defeated in 1994.

Similarly, all UNP leaders are now working with the firm intention of toppling this Government at the next election. Everybody will extend his unstinted support to Ranil Wickremesinghe at the next major election and the dawn of a UNP regime is guaranteed.

Q: How can you be so confident of a victory for your party when the Government is going ahead with large-scale development projects?

A: It's true that large-scale development projects are being carried out. But with whose money are they being done? Every man is indebted. We cant afford this.

What do the ordinary people want most? General development work or a lower cost of living? The cost of living has skyrocketed and people are undergoing immense difficulties with regard to their day-to-day needs.

There are problems in all vital segments of society which directly affect the life of poor people. Health, education, agriculture, transport and even in social services and the Buddha Sasana Ministry, there are problems.People are anxiously waiting to see a regime change. You can see the protest campaigns in government institutions every now end them.

In this backdrop, it is not difficult for the United National Party to mobilise the masses against the Government and form a UNP regime, presenting an alternative program of work that will guarantee an affordable cost of living with justice, fair play, law and order being assured for all citizens.

Q: Provincial Council Elections for the Western (WP) and Southern Provinces (SP) are round the corner. There are unconfirmed reports that you will be contesting for the Chief Ministerial post from the Gampaha district for the WP under the United National Party. Is there any truth in this saying?

A: Well, our party is busy right now, finalising the prospective candidates for both provinces. If the party hierarchy decides to field me as the Chief Ministerial candidate for the WP from the Gampaha district, I shall gladly accept the challenge, resign from my parliamentary seat and steer the party to victory at the PC elections.

National politics

Q: You are already a national politician who airs your views on crucial issues which affect the people of the country. Do you think that you can provide a better service in the event of your being elected as the Chief Minister?

A: The Western Province is the most important province with a substantial percentage of the population of the country. The commercial and administrative capital, all ministries, departments and State institutions are housed in this province.

According to the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, enormous powers are vested in the Provincial Councils. Therefore, I am quite confident that I can provide even a better service to the country as the Chief Minister of the Western Province.

I am shocked and sad that Colombo has been rated as the biggest narcotics hub in South Asia. Container-loads of drugs are detected every now and then in Colombo. Those responsible for these acts should be brought to book.

What will happen to our young generation in the future? You have to put a full-stop to these dangerous acts which kill a nation.

See the colossal sums of money squandered on projects which are of little use to the people.

The Provincial Council should identify the priorities in the province and work in the larger interest of the taxpayers.

The Western Provincial Council is not engaged in any production-oriented projects which create employment opportunities for the people although it has all resources.

In the event of my being elected as the Chief Minister, I shall make all endeavours to develop the Province economically, socially and culturally while maintaining law and order to satisfactory levels.

Q: In case your party does not consider you as the Chief Ministerial candidate and fields somebody else, would your dreams be shattered?

A: Not at all. I told you, if the party requests me, I shall come forward. If they field anybody else, I shall give my fullest support to him/her at the election campaign and try to win the province for the UNP.