The time for change has dawned -JHU parliamentarian Champika Ranawaka

By Uditha Kumarasinghe

Former Technology and Research Minister and Colombo District JHU Parliamentarian Patali Champika Ranawaka said that the TNA, SLMC and the JHU have their own agendas but they have agreed to a national agenda for good governance and to restore democracy in the country.

We don't see any obstacle in achieving this goal. We call upon all those in the Opposition and the Government to join hands to create good governance and to restore democracy.

MP Ranawaka in an interview with the Sunday Observer said that the JHU has no issue with regard to portfolios.

We have already shown what we can do as Ministers. We would fulfill our national responsibility on behalf of the nation whether we hold portfolios or not.

The JHU also doesn't have any issue of Ranil Wickremesinghe's appointment as Prime Minister. Because he has also come forward to implement the common program of the joint Opposition.

Q:What do you feel about President Maithripala Sirisena's victory?

A: It is a victory for the nation and the future generation. We extend our gratitude to 6.2 million people who voted for President Maithripala Sirisena. Nearly 900,000 new votes have been added to the total number of votes obtained by President Sirisena.

The Presidential Election ended in a peaceful manner due to the candid efforts made by the Election Commissioner and the IGP.

Q: What is the significance of this people's victory achieved against the massive media campaign launched by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa?

A: It was an all island victory from the North to South and the West to the Eastern provinces.

I must also stress that most of the voters who voted against the former President were actually the educated and middle class people.

They desperately need a change for good governance and democracy. That has been achieved now.

The election is now over. We request all those in the Opposition and the Government to join hands to create good governance and democracy. We were able to remove former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

We request all those supporting the SLFP and Ministers to join with us to create freedom and democracy.

Q: What are the reasons which led to the former President's downfall, quite apart from the fact that he called the election two years early?

A: There are a few things which led to that. The first thing is nepotism. It was simply family -centered rule.

There was no democracy at all in the UPFA parliamentary group, Cabinet or any other Government institution.

They controlled all state institutions and hundred percent of the income tax. The second reason is that the unprecedented siphoning off of public funds.

The so- called GDP growth that we are talking is seven percent, but the actual household income was growing only by .3 percent.

So one family siphoned off all this money. Before they came to power in 2005, the household income was about 45 percent of the GDP. Now it is just only 35 percent.

It is unprecedented in history and in the history of this country. The educated people are aware that this blatant plundering of this national economy should be stopped . That is why they came forward and openly campaigned for President Maithripala Sirisena.

Q: During the UPFA Presidential candidate's election campaign, they revived the Tiger phobia and the threat of separation. Is there any such possibility under a Maithripala Government?

A: They were desperately trying to create a fear psychosis among the Sinhala people and thought the people may vote for them. But the JHU was there.

We gave an assurance to our people and our nation that no such thing would happen and we will assure the nation once again that the unitary character of this country and the national security of this country would not be compromised.

We will also not tolerate any kind of separatism in this country.

Q: Your coalition has diverse parties including the TNA. How do you plan to work together to make the manifesto a success? Is it possible to implement the core promises in 100 days?

A: The TNA, SLMC and the JHU have their own agendas. But here we all have agreed to a national agenda for good governance and to restore democracy within the country. We don't see any obstacle in achieving this goal. The JHU has no issue with regard to ministerial portfolios. We have already shown what we can do as Ministers. We would fulfill our national responsibility on behalf of the nation whether we have portfolios or not. The JHU also doesn't have any issue over Ranil Wickremesinghe's appointment as the Prime Minister.

Because he has also come forward to implement a common program of the joint Opposition.

In addition a clear decision has also been made on the responsibility vested to former Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and to re-establish his respect and all that he has lost. We should come to a straightforward agreement with him. We must definitely give him all this.

Q: How do you plan to face the international challenges against Sri Lanka through a more professional foreign service?

A: Definitely we will have to accomplish this task. The henchmen and family members dominate the diplomatic arena and this is a good deal for them.

A lot of money is used by certain elements for their so-called international onslaught against our war heroes.

We will introduce a professional diplomatic corps to protect our war heroes from any kind of international inquiry specially a criminal inquiry against them.

Q: There is criticism against the cross overs of parliamentarians- that they betray the voters in favour of personal gain. What have you got to say about this?

A: This must be stopped. This should not be confined as an individual item. We should introduce a new mechanism to have a free and fair election and also to stop the abuse of power and the use of financial power to draw political representatives.

Q: What do you mean by good governance. Is there any standard model for it or does it vary from country to country?

A: It is subjective. We should evolve our own ideal. But we can get examples from foreign countries. For example, Hong Kong and Singapore have introduced strong anti-corruption laws.

We can also draw examples from India on a strong impartial judiciary. We can draw examples and experience from various countries. But we should mould a homegrown good governance system.

Q: Sri Lanka's Constitution has become the centre of public criticism, especially during the time of Presidential and General Elections. Could you cite any offending Section which needs rectification?

A: The unrestricted powers of this Executive Presidency should be pruned. For example, indefinite number of ministries can be created and indefinite number of ministerial portfolios can be held by the Executive President.

Anyone can be nominated as the ministry secretary and higher judicial posts such as the Appeal Court and Supreme Court can also be appointed by the President.

That kind of power should be pruned. Some kind of objective mechanism should be introduced to have systematic portfolios.

I think according to our Constitution, the President can only hold the Defence Ministry portfolio. Other portfolios should be held by Cabinet of Ministers.

Q: What is the direction Tamil politics is likely to take today? Is it in the interest of the motherland or to carve out a portion of the North to realise their sectarian and separatist ideology?

A: The thing is that the ruthless terrorist type of LTTE supporters were calling for a boycott. But the Tamil people came forward and voted. They simply defied this ruthless organisation's order. The unfortunate thing is that the separatist movement was sponsored by the so- called patriotic government led by the former President. We will definitely crush this separatist movement. But the democratic forces in the Northern and Eastern provinces should be given space to change or harmonise with the other parts of the country.