UNP Parliamentarian (Kurunegala District) and National Youth Front President Akila Viraj Kariyawasam

SO: Mr. Akila Kariyawasam please?

MP: Yes, speaking.

SO: Well. I am from the Sunday Observer. What's the latest in your side?

MP: Busy with a lot of political activities. Mainly, as the President of the National Youth Front I am meeting and guiding the youth of the country to rally against the government's anti-people actions.

SO: What are the anti-people actions you mentioned?

MP: Those are known by all the citizens. No one is satisfied with the government's actions. What they told the public through "Mahinda Chintana" had been completely forgotten and people are being kept on a frying pan with unnecessary burdens. Their decisions prove that they are on a broken or shattered foundation.

SO: What results can be expected from the meeting of former President Chandrika Kumaratunga and your leader Ranil Wickremesinghe.

MP: Why do you take it so special. It is not a big issue to talk. Anyway, politicians meet each other. I know the fact is the former President's meeting of her former counterpart at a controversial moment. I think, no one should bother about early results.

SO: What have you got to say about the five bills which the government brought into the parliament last week?

MP: First of all, I want to say that the government is in a financial crisis. They have no clear vision how to face the country's tomorrow. For the time being they are ready to follow any foolish advice by anyone.

See, now they go for loans from a commercial bank at a high interest rate. We, the UNP took loans. But, those came with a low interest rate, long settlement periods with grace periods too.

They passed the five bills but at the same time they lost the people's trust put on them. Introducing a new tax of Rs. 50 for mobile phones they tried to throttle the working masses.

SO: We also heard about a no faith motion against the government. When will it be brought into the Parliament?

MP: Sorry, Deepal. I can't divulge you all the details. Anyway, we are discussing the matter seriously.

SO: CWC had a problem with the government in the recent past. As the main party in the opposition didn't you try to win their support against the government? Or your efforts failed?

MP: Actually we did not try. But, we can have their support at anytime if we want. Any crucial moment, the CWC will be with us.

SO: UNP was shouting to topple the government at the beginning of the year. Now, you people don't speak about it. Why, have you given up the idea?

MP: (smiles)..... Your question is whether we have given up the idea. No, we haven't. Anyway, the situation in the government is such that the opposition should not make any effort for the purpose.

The government themselves are forcing the public to do it. If you can remember how the UNP came into power in 1977, this government will definitely create the same atmosphere for us.

SO: Are you satisfied in politics?

MP: .... I'll answer this way. A country needs politicians who take decisions after thinking about the country and not about the privileges for them.

Most of the politicians are corrupt. I personally believe whether they are in the government or the opposition, they should be punished. If we have a national policy , I mean in every sector politics would be a respected field to work.

'TNA wants peace talks'

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) (represents TNA) Parliamentarian (Batticaloa) Pakkiyaselvam Ariyanethran

SO: Mr. P.Ariyanethran please?

MP: Yes. Speaking. Who is at the other end?

SO: I am from the Sunday Observer. What's the latest in politics?

MP: Nothing special.

SO: What are political activities you are now engaged in?

MP: Not much. We are in Colombo and we do not have security enough to go to our areas.

SO: How do you see the country's political situation?

MP: It is the same situation which we had in 2004.

SO: What do you mean by 2004 situation?

MP: We do not have peace. I do not see any effort from the government's side to go for peace talks.

SO: Why, the APRC was set up to come to a consensus of all political parties over the national issue. Why don't you participate in the process?

MP: Well. Fifteen months have passed after setting up the APRC. So far we were not invited. Then, how can we go for it.

SO: Were you not ready to accept the open invitation made by the government?

MP: I don't know about any open invitations. We were not invited. On the other hand, you see a lot of problems there. Some don't like Prof Tissa Vitharana's appointment there.

UNP left the APRC. Then the JVP left. Do you think that it will bring any result?

SO: Well. Then what kind of solution, you or your party will propose to solve this?

MP: As a party, we don't like the demerger of North-East. What is wrong with people living together. TNA believes that we should go for peace talks.

SO: Do you have direct transactions with the LTTE?

MP: At present, we don't have. We can't go to those areas.

SO: How do you engage in development activities in your electorate kokkadicholei?

MP: We were informed about the GA and DS meetings on development activities. But, when the ministers go there and have their meetings we are not informed. Because of the security problem we can't engage in development activities.

SO: When did you go to your electorate last?

MP: Around one year ago.

SO: Have you got to say anything about the five Bills which were passed in the House last week?

MP: Those were brought not because of the government's love for the people.

The government is in a financial crisis and they want money somehow. At present, they are in the process of making money in anyway.

SO: Anything special you want to say to the public?

MP: Peace. Peace is the only thing we ask for.

deepal@sundayobserver.lk