Maximum service for the people - UPFA candidate Ajith Subasinghe

by Hemantha Kulatunge

Many politicians make every effort to secure number one as their preferential vote number. They even go to the extent of additional first letters in the Sinhala alphabet to grab that illusive number. Former UNP stalwart the late Lalith Athulathmudali was the most famous number one in the allocation of preferential vote numbers.

However, with the Commissioner of Elections rejecting such nonsense, only the real and deserving cases are given that dream number.

The latest to secure that elusive status even before the voting is Colombo District UPFA candidate for the Western Provincial Council election, Ajith Subasinghe who had launched his campaign under the patronage of Hambantota District parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa and Colombo District MP Thilanga Sumathipala.

Millionaire businessman Subasinghe has been a well-known social worker who has worked closely with the UPFA under the blessings of Ministers Basil Rajapaksa, Rohitha Abeygunawardena and Milroy Fernando. He was asked to contest the PC polls at a time he did not have any intention of doing so. But he obliged to the party's call purely to support the UPFA and make sure it strengthens its vote base in Colombo District under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: You are better known in business circles as a millionaire businessmen who has been elevated to the top due to your hard work and devotion. What is your business background though which you embarked on several social projects?

A: I had a humble beginning, working for the Engineering Division of a highly reputed Japanese conglomerate that engaged in mega telecommunication projects in Sri Lanka. Through that, I obtained specialised residential training in Japan for years and later I was employed in Japan for over three years.

Along with the technical expertise I have gained in Japan in the field of telecommunication, I have embarked on a journey, of course small scale and with a limited capital investment, in mid ninety to cater to the needs of the field.

Initially, I was able to secure small direct orders from the local giant, Sri Lanka Telecom in 2000 with my relentless perseverance. That was the beginning of my success story with Sri Lanka Telecom through my core company, Comtec Systems (Pvt) Ltd which eventually emerged the second largest Main Contractor for SLT catering to their requirements currently in Jaffna, Batticaloa, Matale, Ampara, Galle, Matara, Hambanthota, Gampaha and Colombo Districts. I manage and provide leadership to a direct and indirect work force of approximately over 1000 workers. My Company owns a large fleet of vehicles and all required sophisticated heavy and light machinery and equipment. Most importantly, Comtec Systems is among one of the relatively few companies who possess ISO 9001/2008 in Sri Lanka, which is the highest international quality standard certification any establishment can obtain in the world.

All these were possible due to my sheer determination, absolute commitment and complete dedication along with management skill comes with my natural leadership competence.

Blessings from Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa

Q: What are your other business affiliations?

A: I am also the Chairman and Managing Director of Wayamba Cables (Pvt) Ltd. which manufactures and market high quality power and telecom cables.

I have marked my entry recently to solar power energy sector through my newest business venture, Comtec Fujiwara, in collaboration with a Japanese Conglomerate, Fujiwara Inc., which is one of the largest solar power solution providers in Japan. This is a joint venture between Comtec Systems and Fujiwara Inc.

In addition to the above personal business ventures, without obtaining any salary or perk, I have offered my time and energy to serve as Director, Kurunegala Plantation, Advisor to Minister of Nation Building, Coordinating Secretary to Minister of Ports and Highways and Advisor to Minister of Resettlement and Rehabilitation.

My voluntary contribution to all these institutions were admired and appreciated by the party I support. I have done all these purely as service to the country and I did not even have the slightest idea of contesting at the time.

Q: What is your political background?

A: I am no amateur to politics. I was involved in active politics with SLFP leadership from year 1989, the dark era when nobody dared enter into politics. Ever since, I have worked closely with the party involving myself heavily in almost all elections held since then. I was active in the 2005 and 2009 presidential elections.

Q: You have made your money though personal business. But what do you expect by contesting the Western Provincial Council?

A: At the outset, when I was invited to contest for this PC election, I politely and humbly refused and offered my fullest support to anybody else the party would nominate. However, later when Minister Basil Rajapakse with Ministers Anura Priyadarshana and Nimal Siripala spoke to me, I could not refuse due to the respect I had for them and the regard I had for the SLFP.

I will personally not gain anything by being in politics. Today, I am fortunate enough to own much more than many, be it wealth, assets or any other physical resource.

However, at this point, I have to strongly express that I have been engaged in many social service activities from the inception of my business activities.

I have not taken a penny from others for any of these activities.

Everybody around me knows this fact. Political power would help me to continue social work in an organised manner.

Q: You have been a well-known social worker?

A: My passion for social work has forced me to spend large sums of my hard-earned personal money on various social welfare projects. I had no intention of entering active politics at that time.

During the past several years, time and again, I have donated large number of wheel chairs, medicine trolleys, mosquito nets, visitor chairs, medical equipments including blood pressure meters and many other needy items to IDH Hospital.

I have worked closely with many temples, schools and other social organisations, donating school books worth over Rupees 10 Million to schools throughout the country. I have donated Buddha Statues to Kathragama Kiri Vehera and many other temples. I was the first to take a Buddha statue to Jaffna Naga Vihara after 30 years of terrorism.

I have also set up a drinking water scheme for devotees in Jaffna Naga Vihara. Every year, on Vesak Poya day, using millions of my personal funds, I offer a 'Dansala' at Gothatuwa New Town to thousands of people in the area. In appreciation of the services I have rendered socially, I was conferred with Dehamanya, Deshashakthi, Deshabandu, Dharmaprasada, Lankaputhra but I don't want to use any of them before my name.

Q: You have given adequate evidence that all your social services were not aimed at political gain! Then what made you decide to contest?

A: This is the most important question you have asked me.

The answer is the great respect I have for President Rajapaksa, not only for ending terrorism but also the vision he has to take our motherland to the next era. I solemnly believe that he is the greatest leader in post independent Sri Lanka.

If not for his courage to defy world powers during the last phase of terrorism, we would not have the comfort of living in this manner, let alone having democratic elections without fear. Also, in my view, His Excellency is the greatest living patriot in the country today.

Equally important factor for my decision was the great admiration I have for Basil Rajapaksa, firstly as a gentleman and secondly as the Minister of Economic Development. As Entrepreneurs, development in the country's economy is the single most important factor for us.

Hon Minister's contribution to the economic development through Tourism Industry and projects such as 'Divi Neguma', 'Maga Neguma' and 'Samurdi Movement'. Is incomparable and inimitable.

As a Businessman, I am totally satisfied with the efficiency of the Government and I entirely and absolutely have no doubt in my mind that the country will reach prosperity and be the Miracle in Asia as predicted.

Q: What are your short term and long term targets in politics ?

A: As an extremely successful entrepreneur, I always plan everything to the last minute detail and manage that plan. That was the key to my business success.

Therefore, I will apply the same to my political career. As in business I have short and long term goals already planned.Short term, I want to extend everything I have got for a landslide win for the Party.

Therefore, my entire campaign was designed to obtain maximum votes for the Party and not for preferential vote personally for me. My firm intention is to gather and assemble all scattered and currently divided UPFA supporters in Kolonnawa to offer a comprehensive win to the Party in Kolonnawa primarily and secondarily to Colombo district and to the whole of Western Province.

My long term goal is to move away from the role of traditional politician and offer maximum possible service to the people in Kolonnawa and then whole of Colombo District. I have already devised plans for these.

I can confidently assure you that I will reach both these goals.