Ranil’s big picture

A new country within 60 months :

By Rasika Somarathna

Pic: Saman Mendis

Prime Minister and Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Ranil Wickremesinghe is a man with a grand vision seeking a majority in Parliament to build a new country within 60 months. “Our aim is to emulate the dignified tradition of the Lichchavi Kings, where people would meet peacefully, discuss issues peacefully and disperse peacefully ensure good governance and build a united and prosperous nation,” he says in this exclusive and wide ranging interview with the Sunday Observer, where he elaborates on the decision to give leadership to the UNF, plans to develop the country, plans for a new Constitution and why Rajapaksa’s re-entry to politics is akin to a ‘dud coin’.

Excerpts:

UNF and the way forward

Q: The United National Front for Good Governance (UNF) comprises a number of political parties with different policies and principles. What is your political prognosis as far as the UNF is concerned?

A: The UNF comprises political parties and civil society organizations, which got together for the January 8 revolution. We were able to unite irrespective of political differences to usher in good governance, democracy and elect Maithripala Sirisena as the President of the country. Now we have established good governance, but we have to take the next step. In the backdrop of new political developments and the attempts by the Rajapaksa regime to grab power again, we decided to unite under one umbrella to contest the parliamentary polls.

This way, it is easier for us to get a majority in Parliament. As we did not have ample time to register the UNF as a new political party, we decided to contest under the elephant symbol. Also we came to an agreement to register UNF as a political party after the election. We do not have any conflict with regards to policies.

As a united front we were able to take forward a minority government beyond 100 days. Now we are seeking a majority in Parliament to build a new country within 60 months.

Q: Will you form a national government after the election?

A: I do not think all political representatives in Parliament will join the government. But we want to establish a whole new system. We hope to introduce the Parliamentary Committee System after the general elections. These committees will be given the responsibility to take policy decisions. When laws are approved in Parliament, these Committees will monitor whether they are being implemented in a proper manner.

We have put forward a plan to develop the country. Give us a mandate to implement it. If we get the majority, we can go before Parliament and say that we have a mandate to implement our plan in the next five years.

We do not hope to do away with the Westminster system entirely. Our aim is to emulate the dignified tradition of the Lichchavi Kings, where people would meet peacefully, discuss issues peacefully and disperse peacefully in order to ensure good governance and build a united and prosperous nation.

What we want to do is work together with all the parties. In a way, this is a challenge. In a way, it is an opportunity. We need to minimise unemployment, eradicate poverty and improve education. We can do these things in a speedier manner if we get together.

The MR factor

Q: Do you consider former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s entry into politics a deciding factor at the next general election.

A: No. He is now a dud coin. His advent has strengthened the anti-Rajapaksa groups once again. Apart from our political front, several other groups have come out openly against him. A section of the SLFP too is against him. The earlier trend was to form anti-UNP groups. But the current trend is to form anti-Rajapaksa fronts.

Q: The forthcoming general election is much different from past elections. There are less posters, banners and cut-outs. There is no big hue and cry either.

A: This is an election similar to the one held in England. The Elections Commissioner is following the elections laws to the letter. What we want is a decent election campaign and a decent government. The government today is a decent one. That is the difference.

A slot for the erudite

Q: The National List in the present election system is aimed to bring in learned men and intellectuals as members of Parliament. Do you think that your party has played this role properly?

A: We have put forward only educated men and intellectuals not only from the National List but also from the district lists.

Projects past, present and future

Q: The Colombo Port City project has been temporarily suspended. Will a UNF Government go ahead with the project?

A: We stopped this project because it had been initiated without conducting a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Also proper measures had not been taken to ensure the ownership of the reclaimed land. We can re-commence this after resolving the relevant issues. Now we are doing an EIA. We will take a decision after the EIA is completed and the relevant report is given to us.

Q: The UPFA has been making allegations that your government had halted development projects started by the previous regime.

A: No, we have not stopped development projects. We have stopped some projects where there are certain issues to be ironed out. These have been stopped only temporarily.

On the contrary, we have attracted new investments. The world’s number two car manufacturer, Volkswagen, has agreed to set up a manufacturing plant here. Also a Chinese ship-building company is having talks to set up a dockyard at Hambantota harbour.

Many other prominent foreign investors have voiced their interest on setting up business here. Most are keeping a close eye on the election results. They are waiting for a UNP-led Government to come to power. As soon as this happens investors will come in their numbers.

Speaking of Constitutions…

Q: Do you plan to introduce a new Constitution under a future UNF Government?

A: Yes. This is a constitution tailor-made for an Executive Presidential System. The Amendments we brought in also have certain shortcomings. We should draw up a new constitution suitable for the country.

Q: The 19th Amendment to the Constitution was adopted with a large majority, yet you could not set up the Constitutional Council. Why was that?

A: Some obstructed it. We are seeking a mandate from the people to set up a Constitutional Council comprising seven members from civil society organisations, the Speaker, Prime Minister and Opposition Leader of the next Parliament.

Q: The 20th Amendment to change the present electoral system appears to be in the doldrums. What’s the reason for that and how do you hope to proceed?

A: We held discussions among parties to introduce a better system of election. But the UPFA made use of this to postpone the general election. We will do this as a priority in the next Parliament, after obtaining the views of experts.

Improving education

Q: What steps are to be taken to improve education?

A: We have given priority towards education. Most of the proposals are aimed at improving education. We will systematically increase the amount set apart for education up to six percent of GDP. We will consult all sectors concerned to introduce a system of education better suited to the country. Priority will be given to IT. Every household will be provided with internet connectivity within the next few years.

A better standard of living for all

Q: What steps would a future government take improve the living standards of plantation workers?

A: We are now giving them plots of land. We will also build permanent houses for them. We will set up a series of schools in the plantation sector to teach science up to GCE Advanced Level. All possible steps would be taken to uplift the standards of living of plantation workers.

Q: You have proposed to improve villages by setting up cluster villages? How are you going to implement this programme? How are you going to establish Economic Development Super Zones?

A: We hope to bring in more than 20,000 villages in the country under 2,500 cluster villages. They will be made into rural market economic units. We will provide them with financial estimates and villagers themselves will take decisions regarding the development and improvement of their areas. A special mechanism will also be set up to enable politicians and public officials to provide them with necessary support. Similarly we will set up 45 Economic Development Super Zones throughout the country and establish necessary infrastructure and service facilities.

We will attract foreign investment for them for the development of production industries, technological and service sectors, Agriculture and Tourism sectors. This will enable us to improve the local economy in competition with the global economy. There will be 11 Industrial and Technological Development Super Zones.

There will also be Tourism Development Super Zones. The Southern Tourism Development Super Zone will extend from Bentota to Mirissa. Kandy will be included in the Cultural Triangle Tourism Development Super Zone.

We will try to encourage rich and high income bracket tourists to spend at least a week in this zone during their visits. We are developing an environment-friendly tourist industry based on our cultural heritage and civilization. We have also planned to set up 23 Agriculture Development Super Zones and 10 Fisheries Development Super Zones.

Q: Issues related to slum dwellers have created a plethora of problems in the city and suburbs. How do you propose to resolve this?

A: The problem is there. However, we are not ready to evict them by force. That is an inhumane thing to do. What city does not have slums? Access to safe, sanitary, affordable housing and basic infrastructure is a basic human right. Slum dwellers need recognition as equal citizens with rights. These include the right to basic amenities like clean water, garbage collection, sewers and lighting -while children ought to receive quality education and healthcare.

We will implement an elaborate plan to solve this problem. We are planning to provide them with permanent houses with the above facilities. Simultaneously we will take measures to prevent encroachment of State lands and prevent new settlements.

Employment and income

Q: In your five-year plan you have stated that the government will generate one million new employment opportunities within the next five years. How will this be done?

A: We will enhance Foreign Direct Investment and will develop tourism, manufacturing businesses and IT related services. Our economic zones will generate a large number of jobs. During the past regime the economy was run by family and friends of the past rulers.

The country had to suffer due to this family rule. We will change this. We are confident that we could generate more than one million jobs in the next few years.

Q: In your development plan you have mentioned that the Rs.10, 000 allowance recently given to public sector workers will be included in their basic salary. However, the private sector workers and semi-government sector workers are yet to receive even the salary increases you proposed before the last Presidential Election?

A: Some organizations have increased salaries and some others haven’t. We need to look at this. We are planning to bring in laws to make the basic salary of private sector workers to be more than Rs.10, 000. Also, we will bring in measures in the next Parliament on an immediate basis to increase the salary of workers in this sector by at least Rs.2, 500.

Crime and Punishment

Q: It has been reported that the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) of the Police has completed some important investigations against several top-notch politicians of the previous regime. Would the government proceed with legal action against them?

A: Legal action has already been initiated in some cases. In September, legal action will be filed against many such cases. It has been said that no action could be taken against politicians during election time. Extensive investigations are currently being conducted on about 20 large scale cases.

Q: In your action plan, you have said that the FCID will be re-established through a statute in Parliament. What is its status now?

A: Yes we expect to do this. It will be done to further strengthen the legal powers of the FCID, especially to give it more force to investigate large scale frauds. Such measures were taken even in England.

RTI and the State media

Q: How fast would you introduce the Right to Information Act and what is your government’s policy towards the State media?

A: We will introduce the Right to Information Act as a priority measure in the next parliament. In the same manner we will bring in the National Audit Act. We are currently discussing about the State media and its future. Our aim is to ensure a very independent state media. However, issues confronted by the media are not confined to the State media alone. In the past we have seen how many journalists from the private media kept silent due to threats and intimidation exerted by the rulers at the time.

We have to discuss this matter very openly. We have to discuss issues confronted by journalists and media institutions. If journalists or media institutions have been suppressed by force or threats they should come forward and reveal the facts. We have to discuss these matters and take effective steps to prevent such happenings.

Northern concerns

Q: Regarding the land issues in the North, although the government promised to release 1000 acres held by the Forces, only 400 acres have been released so far?

A: I think most of the land has been released. There was a problem regarding some lands as the previous government had planned to build model villages in some areas. This was met with protests and people objected to this. So we have decided to release these lands too to the original owners.

However there are some issues related to infrastructure as well. We have to solve them in consultation with the Provincial Council. Even now the Army is carrying out a study about the other lands they can release. We will do this systematically.

Q: Reports say that there are still a small number of political prisoners?

A: We have said that either we will take legal action or release the remaining prisoners. You will find a definite answer to this issue within the next two months. Further investigations should be carried out against those who will face prosecution. There are only a small number of such prisoners.

Q: What steps will a future UNF Government take to further improve living standards of the people in the North?

A: We will provide them with plots of land and will help to build new houses. These initiatives are ongoing. We will further strengthen them. Also there are issues related to infrastructure in some areas. We will take steps to solve them after consulting the Provincial Council. Other facilities such as health, education etc too will be improved by working jointly with the PC. We have plans to develop economic zones in the North as well, similar to what we are planning in the rest of the country. These will help to generate a large number of direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Neighbours and friends

Q: India and China have been long standing friends of Sri Lanka and key development partners. However, in the past there have been reports that these friendly ties have become strained somewhat?

A: Our ties are on a very strong footing. The President recently visited both India and China. The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi came here. Various delegations from China keep visiting the country from time to time. We are having constant discussions to further improve bilateral ties. Also both countries continue to remain key development partners of Sri Lanka. In the Central Expressway project, the section from Kadawatha to Mirigama is being done by Chinese contractors. Another Chinese firm is currently having discussions to build a dockyard at Hambantota harbour.

HR violations and domestic mechanisms

Q: How do you plan to rid the country of the allegations made by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)?

A: We cannot escape from this. The Rajapaksa regime was responsible for blowing this issue out of proportions.

Our stand is that we have not signed the Rome Statute. So we should work within the prevailing local law and judicial system. If wrongdoings have been committed, we should take action through a local mechanism of inquiry.

When the UNHRC releases its report in September, we will make our response known.

We need to protect human rights and at the same time we also have to work within our judicial systems. While we are at this, most importantly we have to take steps to heal the wounds as well.

While we are trying to provide a political solution to the problem we are also planning to establish a Truth Commission, similar to the one which was in South Africa

But this will be adjusted according to the social, cultural and historical context of Sri Lanka.

Q: However, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) says that they have no confidence in a domestic mechanism.

A: Earlier there were issues relating to confidence with regard to this. We will conduct a domestic inquiry in a very transparent manner.

If there are shortcomings we are ready to discuss them with the TNA. We will act in a manner that will gain both local and international confidence.

Common candidate Sirisena

Q: You were slated to contest the last Presidential Election from the UNP. However at the last moment the UNP, several other political parties and civil society organizations decided to form a broad coalition and put forth a common candidate to contest former President Rajapaksa. The announcement of Maithripala Sirisena as the common candidate took everybody by surprise. How did this happen, what went on behind the scenes?

A: We had discussions on how to defeat Rajapaksa for some time. However, I had not met Maithripala Sirisena during the last stages. The last time I met him was in September. The decision on the common candidate was taken in the last week after the Presidential poll was called. It was former President Chandrika Bandaranaike who proposed Sirisena’s name.

When this came up I told the relevant stakeholders that the UNP will take a decision after consulting the Working Committee. We put forward the proposal to the Working Committee and ratified it the next day. After that when I met Sirisena in Parliament and told him “Our work is over, it is now up to you”.

And later he came for the press conference to announce the decision. We did not have extensive talks although former President Bandaranaike was in touch with Sirisena from time to time. The final decision in this regard was taken in the last two to three days.