Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Minister C. B. Rathnayake said that in a crisis like this, everybody should join hands irrespective of petty political differences. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said attempts by certain sections to realise their ulterior motives and somehow grab power should be stopped even at this critical juncture.
Instead of promising people various packages, they should be properly educated about the situation stressing the need to protect the motherland for the sake of their children. First, we should give utmost priority to safeguard our motherland irrespective of caste, creed and other political differences. The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the JVP should be able present their alternative economic plans to the country. If they just attempt to grab power by pointing fingers at each other, we will have to face further hardships.
Excerpts of the interview
Q: Speculation is rife that former Prime Minister and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe will be nominated as the next Prime Minister. Is there any truth in it?
A: There is no truth whatsoever in that speculation. The Opposition, somehow, wants to create a conflict within the Government and also among those who have various political dreams to be realised. The results of this conflict are coming one by one. There are certain groups in the Opposition who are capable of fabricating rumours among the public.
For example, various messages are sent even to the NASA institute where the President’s son works. He hasn’t got involved in any politics, but he has to be answerable to his manager daily for those fabricated rumours. We should vehemently condemn such acts of embarrassing the President’s son. I think speculation on Ranil Wickremesinghe to be nominated as the next Prime Minister is also a part of that propaganda campaign.
Q: UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara has said that the economic crisis is getting worse day by day. Would you like to air your views?
A: This is not because of the economic strategy of the incumbent Government. If the economy was properly managed by the former Yahapalana Government from 2015 to 2019, we would not have faced the crisis situation. We have faced a problem because of what the former Government did. What did they do with the money they received by selling the Hambantota Port. It is true as a Government we should look into those transactions. We have to face this economic crisis due to mismanagement of the economy by the previous Government. We have to admit also that there is a world economic recession as well.
Q: Do you think that the All Party-Conference convened by the President would find a lasting solution to the economic crisis?
A: Certainly. First, there should be a country for all of us to engage in politics. In a crisis or a national disaster, everybody should join hands irrespective of petty political differences. Former Myanmar President Aung San Suu Kyi had to face all sorts of harassment from the ruling party. When her country faced a crisis and a pandemic, she gave the message to the world that they all should stand together on behalf of their motherland. When there are such past experiences in the world, attempts made by certain sections to realise their ulterior motives and somehow grab power should be stopped.
Instead of promising the people various packages, the people should be properly educated about the situation stressing the need to protect the motherland for the sake of their children. First, we should give utmost priority to safeguarding the motherland irrespective of caste, creed and other political differences. After that, we can do our politics.
Q: UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena has said that there will be a national consensus soon where all parties will get together to resolve the crisis. Would you like to comment?
A: This is a good tendency. There are some politicians who genuinely love their country and its people. We should not look at all politicians from the same angle. I have represented Parliament for nearly 30 years. I should be determined to do something on behalf of all those who voted for me. I am a people’s representative.
The politicians who have a desire to fulfil the people’s aspirations are under the impression that they all should get together to resolve the present crisis. We should take decisions by setting an example to others. We should fulfil our task on behalf of the country’s future and its children.
Q: Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa has hinted at moves to form a new Opposition group and sit in the Opposition benches in Parliament. Your views?
A: It is obvious. If we can’t win over our ideas, automatically, we have to go back to the Opposition. They may also organise themselves for it. When the ruling party in collaboration with others is attempting to get over the crisis, the Opposition has its legitimate role to play. Perhaps, they may also rally round and engage in their politics to realise their political objectives.
However, if a few SLPP Parliamentarians quit the Government, it won’t have a big impact on the Government. During the tenure of President Ranasinghe Premadasa, party stalwarts and visionary leaders such as Lalith Athulathmudali and Gamini Dissanayake quit the UNP and formed a separate party, but they couldn’t pose even a trivial challenge to then President Premadasa. We have to realise the current issue and move forward as we planned.
Q: Chancellor of Colombo University Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera has said that the Finance Minister’s portfolio should be handed over to the Prime Minister to minimise the public dissatisfaction which has built up towards the Government. Would you like to elaborate your views?
A: What’s wrong if that portfolio is held by elder Rajapaksa brother or younger Rajapaksa brother? Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa is a practical leader and iconic figure of Sri Lankan politics. There are various interpretations of Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. However, he is trying his best to rebuild the economy. Whatever criticisms are made by various sectors, it was then President Mahinda Rajapaksa who rebuilt the country after the tsunami catastrophe and the 30 years battle against terrorism.
It was also then President Rajapaksa who introduced a development drive and sound economic policy to the country. The names of ‘carpeted roads’ and ‘Mahindodaya Laboratories’ were socialised thanks to then President Rajapaksa. When the World Health Health Organization (WHO) had warned of the dying of nearly 100,000 people in Sri Lanka due to Covid-19, only 13,000 people had died when the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine was given.
There are some people who have deliberately ignored taking the booster dose. When the country has faced an economic recession, we should have a national level plan to turn the country into normalcy after having talks with other countries. For example, what is the economic strategy of JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake? What are their alternatives to overcome the crisis? What are the suggestions of Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa to overcome the crisis?
They should be able present their alternative economic plans to the country. If they just attempt to grab power by pointing fingers at each other, we will have to face further hardships. We are in an economic recession. We have to be practical to get over the crisis. I believe it is only this Government which has the ability to overcome the crisis.
Q: Former Minister Udaya Gammanpila has said that he hopes to bring the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution to Parliament in April to ensure that no dual citizen can hold a position as a Member of Parliament or be the President of Sri Lanka. Your views?
A: Decisions should be taken on behalf of the people rather than attempting to fulfil narrow political objectives. First, we should educate the public and take our decisions. Otherwise, there is no use of raising issues such as dual citizenship. They only raise the dual citizenship of Rajapaksa family members. Then how many TNA Parliamentarians are dual citizens? Such MPs may be in the Government and the Opposition sides.
Q: People have faced severe hardships due to power cuts and shortage of fuel and gas. What action has been taken to overcome the situation?
A: The Government is trying its best to overcome the issue as early as possible. Even India has extended its continued cooperation to cope with the economic crisis. We would be able to overcome the crisis after discussions with international monetary organisations. Countries such as China, Japan and India have pledged to provide their continuous assistance to us. During the recently concluded BIMSTEC Summit, Bangladesh had pledged to provide its assistance to Sri Lanka. The World Bank is also focusing its attention on us. I am confident that we would be able to get over this temporary setback and stand on our own feet within a month.
Q: The main Opposition, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), has decided to conduct a series of countrywide protest campaigns on April 7 to urge the Government to reduce the escalating prices of essential consumer items considering the plight of poorer sections.
A: These are just narrow-minded tactics to grab power. We have faced a massive crisis. When the Covid-19 pandemic emerged, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa even prescribed drugs to the Covid-19 patients. The Government with the help of the health authorities and tri forces took measures to safeguard the lives of the people from the pandemic by temporarily setting aside economic development. As a result, we could protect the lives of the people.
During that period also, several Covid-19 clusters emerged. Even then the Opposition took the people to the streets by disregarding health guidelines. As a result, several people had to sacrifice their lives as well. From time to time, the Opposition demanded to reopen the country and lockdown it. Organising protest campaigns is yet another attempt by the Opposition to mislead the people under the pretext of the economic crisis. If people have money and fuel to come to Colombo to stage demonstrations, there is no need to talk about a fuel crisis.
Q: Certain sections attempt to interpret that Article 70/1 (a) of the Constitution makes it clear that Parliament can pass a resolution and dissolve Parliament at any time. Could you explain?
A: The 19th and 20th Amendments to the Constitution mention as to how Parliament can be dissolved. It is not necessary to bring arguments to mislead the people.
Q: Is there any conflict of ideas among the SLPP and other constituent parties of the Government as speculated by certain sections of the media?
A: There is no threat to the stability of the Government.
In 1994, there was a majority of single vote in the Government. At the last Parliamentary Election, the SLPP could form a two-thirds majority Government. We have 153 MPs in Parliament. If several MPs quit the Government, it won’t have a big impact on the Government. We will implement our future programs as planned. Several SLPP dissidents are implementing their plan to cross over to the Opposition.
Q: Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has expressed his disappointment at the Government’s failure to ensure justice for the Easter Sunday victims. Your comments?
A: Investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks are continuing independently. Unlike the former Yahapalana Government, we don’t summon judges and the officials of the Attorney General’s Department to Temple Trees to file cases especially against political opponents. There may be delays in the investigations.
Statements have been recorded from a large number of people in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. All culprits will be brought to book, but the Government will not, whatsoever, interfere into the investigations.