| Govt.
should act fast to stop political killings
Q: THE main opposition has been agitating against the
spate of killings that have taken place in the country.
Has there been any success in this regard?
A: The agitation would be successful only if the government
takes corrective measures to curb the violence spree that
has been released against leading political figures. This
is not happening. The government is turning a blind eye
to the present situation. But we will continue to agitate
against these acts of terror which the government I feel
is not doing anything about at the moment. Our aim is to
open the eyes of the government to this type of brutal killings
of our party men and others.
Q: Do you think the crime rate is unprecedented and
if so what do you see as the cause for this?
A: Most certainly in the recent past the crime rate has
become unprecedented. Take for example the brutal and tactical
assassination of M. K. Ranjith within the high security
zone and at the doorstep of the CID. Is this not unprecedented?
If the police could not prevent murder taking place in the
HSZ at least they could have apprehended the assassins.
But that did not happen. I see the reason for this as the
government not recognising the fact that there is a spate
of 'sponsored' violence taking place at the moment. It is
an obvious fact that the situation would escalate to unprecedented
levels especially because there are no corrective measures
taken. This is why we are protesting.
Q: Do you think politicians are directly involved in
these killings and if anyone of your members are found to
be involved in these acts of terror would you take action
against them?
A: Most certainly. Action would be taken against anybody
who is inciting violence. About politicians getting involved
in these killings, I may not be able to answer it since
currently investigations are being carried out by police.
It is up to them to say who is involved directly.
Q: Last Thursday the main opposition carried out an
ugly protest against the government inside parliament with
some MPs like Mangala Samaraweera and Dilan Perera behaving
like hooligans. Was this protest carried out with your blessings?
A: Today we function in and out of parliament as a collective
opposition. In collectivity there is unison.
Q: Though the PA members were conducting a mock funeral
inside parliament, the JVP however was seen maintaining
a low profile. How do you view this when both the JVP and
SLFP are trying to tie up?
A: The JVP participated equally and collectively. In the
democratic process one has the freedom to express their
views to whatever extent they feel necessary. Remember once
again we are a collective opposition. Also, at the moment,
discussions are still on with regard to the JVP-SLFP alliance.
There are some areas which need more deliberations and we
are working on these.
Q: Reports indicate the proposed plan for both the
JVP and SLFP to coalesce is facing a crisis situation. What
is happening?
A: I do not think that the negotiations are facing a crisis
situation. Where there are different views it takes longer
to negotiate and come to a final agreement. On the aspect
of practicality well, if we can agree to a common path in
the best interest of our motherland it would be a very pragmatic
and practical approach. But the discussions are going on
between both parties and we assume something positive would
happen.
Q: Some opposition members have said it is high time
President Chandrika Kumaratunga brought under her control
the Police Department. Are you aware of it?
A: I am really not aware of it. Some members may have said
it. However in my view the President has the constitutional
right and authority to take over any ministry or institution
at any given point of time for whatever reason for the good
of the nation. I am not aware of any action of such. However
let me reiterate the fact that a solution is required as
soon as possible to the present crime situation in the country.
Q: In another two years President Kumaratunga will
have to step down from her presidency. But yet the PA has
not been able to identify a potential presidential candidate.
Has the party given thought to it?
A: The party will address the question when the time comes.
I have a feeling it is a little too premature to think about
it.
Q: In the meantime you have been portrayed as the most
suitable candidate for this post by a section of the opposition.
If given the chance would you accept it?
A: No. It is not a question of accepting or rejecting.
A section of the PA may think this way, but finally it is
the party's central committee that should decide upon this.
Q: Why do you think Anura Bandaranaike has already
begun strengthening himself by appointing special committees
for this post. Do you think he is suitable?
A: In any democratic political system or party there are
aspirants for the leadership. This is the true nature of
the democracy in our party. When the appropriate time comes
the party membership would decide on this factor.
Q: Today is the party convention and what role would
you play being one of the pioneer members of the Sri Lanka
Freedom Party (SLFP)?
A: We all have an equal role to play in the party. I have
for the last 35 years been with the SLFP and we have toiled
to bring the party to its present position. Today what is
of paramount imporatnce is to re-model the party and strengthen
the grassroot level organisation in order to face the many
challenges ahead. The most important factor here is to tune
us towards finding solutions to the many problems faced
by the polity of Sri Lanka. And I must emphasise here that
our party is fully geared to face any such national problem.
We did govern the country and showed our capability after
we won in 1994. In fact it was our party that started the
peace process for the first time in this country. Now it
is only a matter of doing some extra work to further strengthen
and streamline the party especially at the grassroot level.
Q: The main opposition claims that Sri Lanka cannot
benefit by the substantial aid package received in Tokyo.
Do you feel the same?
A: Before we talk about utilisation what we need to know
are the conditions under which these monies have been pledged.
As per our understanding there are conditions and or pre-requisites
that has been imposed on the peace process, economic conditions
such as privatisation of i.e. water, electricity, fisheries
harbours etc. There is also the question of interest and
repayment period. According to the information we have the
annual interest payment amounts to somewhere in the region
of US$ 220 million. Can the Sri Lankan economy sustain this?
Unless the government has not effectively negotiated terms
with the donor countries especially when considering the
cost benefit analysis of the utilisation of such funds,
wherein the benefit from numerous development projects would
be more socially oriented than financially, Sri Lanka in
time to come will be a heavily debt ridden country.
Q: The LTTE has demanded for a politico-administrative
structure rejecting all other proposals put forward by the
government. Do you think this is justifiable?
A: An interim council or an 'administrative structure'
has been suggested to the LTTE both by the then PA government
and the UNF presently. The difference being that the UNF
in its endeavour is not clear in their approach. I would
say that they are trying to 'run with the rabbit and hunt
with the hound.' Let the government be transparent in their
attempts at peace. Though the government says that they
want a consultation process firstly with President Kumaratunga
and all other parties, their actions do not portray this.
Our stand is very clear. We have declared this through the
package introduced in 2001. The President agreed to an interim
administrative structure based on conditions
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