Our alliance represents the true masses - Champika Ranawaka

by Manjula Fernando

Following the inclusion of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the UPFA nominations list, the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU)

formally announced its decision to break away from the UPFA and form a new alliance, the United National Front for Good Governance(UNFGG) to defend the ‘January 8 people’s mandate.’ In an interview with the Sunday Observer, JHU General Secretary and Power and Energy Minister, Patali Champika Ranawaka explained the reasons for the split and the party’s fresh moves to promote good governance.

Excerpts:

Q: Why did the JHU leave the UPFA and form a separate alliance?

A: Both the SLFP and the UNP don’t appear to understand the significance of the January 8 mandate. It was for a political reforms process and to depoliticize the system. If they understood the political sentiments of the educated middle class, these parties would have cleansed their parties. Instead, we find old arrack in new bottles.

During the past two decades, we experienced the SLFP-style of governance under Mahinda Rajapaksa and Chandrika Kumaratunga. These two are still fighting over the SLFP. Both have done good things for the country but the SLFP must evolve to suit current national needs. They must stop squabbling.

Q: What is this change you perceive?

A: International pressure will not reduce. Power politics in the Indian Ocean will sandwich Sri Lanka. There are many powerful players today and this requires us to have a clear foreign policy and diplomacy to protect our sovereignty. Ideally, it should be a non-aligned policy. If we fail, the country’s social, political and economic prospects will be adversely affected.

The JHU is not satisfied with the existing environmental, socio-economic, political and international conditions. Both parties of the government have failed. During the past six months, we experienced the Prime Minister’s way of handling administration. President Maithripala Sirisena obtained 6.3 million votes. The UNP, TNA JVP, SLMC and the DA collectively secured 4.2 million votes at the last Provincial Council Election. UNP as a single party secured only 2.3 million votes. Therefore, the UNP cannot claim credit for 90 % of President Sirisena’s mandate.

On the other hand, Mahinda Rajapaksa secured 5.8 million votes. This was due to the SLFP’s increased vote base and the votes of 1.4 million Samurdi recipients. Through the Divi Neguma program, the Rajapaksa regime manipulated nearly 4 million voters. Poverty was used as a tool to secure a mandate. But today, it is not so.

The SLFP must listen to the people.

Q: Are you implying that the former president’s re-entry will not ensure a UPFA victory?

A: Not a chance. He secured 5.8 million due to State power. His government spent Rs. 250 billion to lure the rural-poor.

That’s Rs. 40,000 per vote. During the UNP, the ploy was Jana Saviya. In 1994, the middle class voted the UNP out. Our alliance represents the true masses. Our aim is to create a new political culture and promote new ideas for socio- economic and environmental sustainability.

Q: The JHU played a key role to ensure President Sirisena’s victory. Is it ethical to now abandon the SLFP during a crucial election?

A: We are not against Mahinda Rajapaksa or Ranil Wickremesinghe. We did not support Maithripala Sirisena. It is not about individuals. We have been supporting the policies promoted by Maithripala Sirisena. If Mahinda Rajapaksa accepted our proposals last October, his destiny would have been different. The 19th Amendment was a positive outcome. It reduced excessive executive powers of the President and re-introduced the independent commissions. The draft 20th Amendment was a major miss.

We are satisfied with the achievements. We were instrumental in mainstreaming certain values during the January election. Now, they will reject corrupt politicians. No party will be able to field corrupt candidates and hope to survive.

Q: The former president has acknowledged that his government erred and pledged to rectify the same. Your comments ?

A: Accepting mistakes is good. But he never said what exact mistakes they were. In the eyes of the people, nothing has changed. Basil Rajapaksa was the SLFP’s chief organizer. The political goons, business sector cronies and corrupt bureaucrats all anticipate Mahinda Rajapaksa’s return. Nepotism hasn’t changed one bit.

Mahinda Rajapaksa should demonstrate that he has changed by action, not words. He should relegate himself to being an advisor to the party and allow the new leadership to revamp the party.

Q: But, people did not see any concrete action being taken against the offenders from of the former government?

A: That is a sad situation. It was due to three reasons. One – our weak legal system. Justice Minister recently told Parliament that 96% of the offenders go unpunished due to systemic issues.

Second- corrupt politicians and officials being bribed and protected by the wrong-doers. For example, there is clear evidence with regard to the RADA case, if they have the desire to take action.

Three arrested LTTE cadres had provided enough evidence to convict persons. It is most unfortunate to have this matter repeatedly postponed. People question why.

Third - some elements in the UNP do not want to conclude these cases. They use the cases as political tools to divide the SLFP with the hope of winning the next election. This is the truth.

Q: Do you harbor regrets about being part of the unity government?

A: No. We have brought about certain positive developments such as the 19th Amendment, which has considerably reduced the powers of the executive. There is a political cultural change too. We demanded the Cabinet be limited to 30 and to set up independent commissions and so on. These promises were kept. We fought for an independent judiciary and that too is a reality. Above all, our society has been empowered. The Treasury bond issue was a good case in point. Within minutes, everything was exposed.

As a result of our good governance campaign, several big-time politicians with tainted records have been dropped from nomination lists. Despite their vote base, political parties are today embarrassed to give them nominations and earn public wrath. This is the change we have brought about.

Q: Has the JHU’s vote base eroded due to the alliance led by the UNP?

A: On the contrary, we are more powerful than before. People realize that it is we who pioneered that cultural change in the island’s politics. It is a serious change from what they saw in the past decade.

We led the anti-LTTE campaign. The JHU trashed idea of a federal solution. We have been in the forefront, taking on issues of national importance from a public perspective and advocating our stance without fear.

We fought for constitutional reforms, which are partly achieved. Our next aim is to introduce a new economic policy – ‘an innovation economy’ – to empower professionals, engineers, accountants, doctors and others to redefine this country’s future.

Q: Sometimes, JHU leader Ven.Athuraliye Rathana Thera and you appear to contradict each other. Are you walking the same path?

A: Yes, there is no issue. He is very much with us. He is also heading the Pivithuru Hetak movement. It is a different organization. But we are on the same path towards the creation of a new political culture. The other apolitical bodies who were behind the January 8 democratization campaign are behind us.

Q: What are the political parties in your alliance?

A: We would welcome any right thinking political party to join us. We are mostly relying on apolitical bodies, professionals and community-based organizations to drum up public support for our campaign.

Q: Would you welcome Sarath Fonseka’s party?

A: We are happy to have an alliance with him but it is up to him to decide. Those who actually wanted a change, worked against the family rule know where the corrupt elements are. They are not in the JHU.

Q: Who will be contesting with you? Can you name them?

A: Not at this moment. By July 13, you will know.

Q: What made the JHU change the party symbol and the name? Is it not counterproductive on the eve of an election?

A: It was to accommodate others who wish to contest with us. But we will revert to the original party name and the symbol after the election. Our people are very educated. I don’t think they will have an issue with the diamond symbol or the new name of our alliance. They will be more interested in our policies. Our manifesto will be based on Maithripala Sirisena’s presidential election manifesto. We hope to build on it.

Q: After the election, will you join the party that forms a government?

A: That is to be decided. The decision will not be based on individuals but on principles. We appeal to the people to give us necessary powers so that we can bring in the positive changes that they aspire.

Q: Do you want to be the next king maker like the SLMC?

SLMC will not be a king maker this time. Unlike the JHU members, they are opportunistic and can be bought over. Our objectives are simply people centred. We don’t want to be a king maker, we want positive changes for the country and its society, a change in values.

We had only two members in the last Parliament, but our voice was very powerful. And we hope to have a stronger voice in Parliament after August 17.