Jathika Hela Urumaya member and former Central Environment Authority (CEA) Chairman Udaya Gammanpila, contesting the Western Provincial Council elections on the UPFA ticket, says his party was not a tribal party representing the Sinhala Buddhists but it believes in the philosophy of Sinhala Buddhism as it has proved itself as a successful doctrine to build a great civilization. Excerpts from an interview he gave to The Sunday Times:
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| Udaya Gammanpil |
What specific plans do you have for the Western Province?
I don’t want to have a separate programme for the WP that would be in conflict with the central government’s programme. My objective is to implement the Mahinda Chintana at provincial level. I am a member of the Mahinda Chintana team and I have written part of it in my own handwriting. This has been endorsed by the people.
Have you identified any problems that affect the people of the WP in particular?
The three biggest problems faced by the residents of the WP are waste management, poor sanitary facilities caused by unplanned urbanization and floods. I have a deep understanding of the issues as I have served as the Chairman of the CEA. I have my own plans and am hopeful I can implement them once elected.
You belong to a party that is identified as exclusively representing one race and religion. The WP has a large minority vote base. How are you wooing them?
I totally disagree with your description. We have never been a tribal party. It is a Buddhist party but if you say it is a tribal party it is a misconception. Buddhism is a philosophy preached by Gautama Buddha like Marxism by Karl Marx. The Sinhalese built a great civilization based on the Buddhist doctrine. We believe Sinhala Buddhism is the philosophical solution for problems of the present day, be it ecological, energy, economic or social. Western theories such as capitalism and liberalism have failed.
Most UPFA candidates are banking heavily on the war victories to boost their chances. Would the WP vote swing in favour of the government because of its handling of the war?
This is not a mere provincial council election. This is an election on the government’s programme on Tamil separatism or the LTTE. At this last moment there are western forces engaged in a desperate attempt to save the LTTE by securing a ceasefire. They have now realized that this government cannot be controlled by them. In the recent past these western forces have changed governments around the world. They have tried to topple popular governments and burnt their fingers. The only safeguard we have is to hold elections from time to time and show the western forces that this government is popular and the people are with them. In that way this election is crucial. In every previous PC poll, the government secured a comfortable victory. But the WPC is the most crucial one. Thirty percent of population lives in this province and 51 per cent of the national economy is produced here. Irrespective of victories in other provinces, we have to have a convincing victory at the heart of Sri Lanka. A victory in the WP has a direct bearing on the smooth conduct of the war.
Are you aspiring to be the Chief Minister of the WPC?
The CM’s post should be decided by the President. He has decided to keep it open. If the people and the President think I am good for the job I am ready to humbly accept it. Unlike other candidates I am not going to boast I am the CM candidate.
Why should a voter choose you as their candidate?
My education background would be outstanding compared to other candidates.
I became island best in the Advanced Level examination. When I was at Monash University, Australia, I was appointed an assistant lecturer while I was still a student. I am a lawyer, software engineer, an economist and environmentalist. I have also been steadfast in convincing the people of the need to defeat the LTTE militarily. When I was the Chairman of the CEA, even the opposition praised my impartiality.
I have never been accused of corruption or of breaking the law. I am a model politician. Even at this election I am conducting an ethical campaign. I made a tenfold pledge before the Dalada Maligawa to abstain from using posters, polythene and crackers, declared my assets and refrained from making baseless allegations against rival candidates. |
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