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Remove police and land powers before holding northern elections: Weerawansa
Vows to launch leaflet and petition campaigns and hold public rallies in Kalutara, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Kandy and Colombo
As his party prepared for a countrywide campaign next week, National Freedom Front leader and Minister Wimal Weerawansa said he has appealed to President Mahinda Rajapaksa to repeal land and police powers for Provincial Councils enshrined in the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Minister Wimal Weerawansa. Pic by Susantha Liyanawatte
He told the Sunday Times that his party’s campaign would continue till these changes are effected. “We are willing to quit the UPFA if anyone there feels we are doing wrong by our campaign,” he said.
Here are edited excerpts of the Q & A:
Why are you opposing the holding of the Provincial elections in the North.
We are opposed to the Northern Provincial CoPuncil elections if it devolves police and land powers to the province. If the issues over police powers and land powers are resolved and elections held thereafter we have no objections. Also the Sinhalese and the Muslims who were driven away in the 1980s have not been resettled. The Tamils displaced by the conflict have been resettled. Therefore the ethnic composition which existed earlier should be restored.
What do you believe are the consequences of conducting elections without moving amendments?
In the rest of the country the provincial councils have been formed by the parties in national politics. As they are in national politics they do not demand all powers vested under the 13thAmendment. Under the existing Constitution a provincial council can have a provincial police. However, none of the existing councils has done this. Therefore there have been no complications.
But if the power of the northern provincial council is gained by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) it will commence with the use of the police and land powers. Since it is enshrined in the Constitution the setting up of a police cannot be stopped legally. If attempts are made to prevent such a move outside the legal system it would lead to other complications. Even regarding land powers it would pose the same problem. The council would use these powers to remove the army camps in the area.
There is also the danger of the northern and eastern provincial councils passing their own resolutions to merge the two councils. They could even go a step further to move a resolution to invite the UN to intervene in any issue.
Today the Muslim Congress controls the eastern provincial council with the UPFA, but in the future if there is a Muslim Congress/ TNA controlled council it may combine with a TNA controlled council in the north and pass a resolution to implement proposals similar to what has been put forward by Karunanidhi or by Bishop Rayappu Joseph seeking UN intervention .
What are your demands from the government?
We are asking the government to bring amendments to the constitution. People have sacrificed their lives to save the country from separatism. Therefore separatism cannot be allowed to rise again. Our request to the President who gave leadership to end the war, is to introduce amendments to remove police and land powers before conducting provincial elections in the north.
What about the 13th Amendment itself ?
We would have been happy if the 13th Amendment was removed altogether, but some people in the government are not keen on doing that. Therefore we are asking the government to remove the police and land powers in the 13th Amendment. In addition the opportunity to pass a resolution to merge the northern and eastern councils should be removed.
But, if the Central government disapproves the merger how can they go ahead with it?
It can be done under the existing laws
What type of campaign will be carried out by your party regarding this?
Our party’s central committee has met and discussed this issue. From tomorrow we are starting a campaign to distribute leaflets to create awareness. We have also selected five main towns – Kalutara, Gampaha, Kurunegala, Kandy and Colombo to hold public rallies on this subject. We also hope to get a petition signed.
Have you informed the President about your party’s concerns and what has his reaction been?
It is not that the President does not understand our concerns. But the President has various partners in the government. Therefore though he wants to take certain decisions he is constrained from doing so. But, if he delays taking a decision on this matter the damage would be bigger. We should understand the dangers prevailing. We hope despite the difficulties the President will take this decision.
What has been the President’s response so far?
We cannot say that the President has reacted negatively, but the President has explained to us the difficulties in taking such a decision.
Why did your party hold a separate May Day rally?
Because we wanted to explain to the people regarding the issue of the northern provincial council elections. If we were on the same stage with the UPFA it would have been difficult to explain our stance.
But, some see this as a split in the UPFA
There can be differences in any alliance. There are no alliances which do not have differences. The opposition gets satisfaction when differences occur. The opposition waits to benefit from these differences. If the parties in the alliances stay together it’s stronger, but when the need arises on national issues we need to take decisions. It is going beyond being against an alliance, but a step in protecting what has been achieved.
What will your party do if the amendments are not introduced?
If that happens and a party like the TNA is elected to power, it would be a betrayal of the government which helped in the historic defeat of the terrorists. We will have to look into as to how we could remain in a government which goes against its own achievement.
Could you elaborate on what steps you hope to take?
We have not thought about the steps to be taken, but we will face the situation when it arises
Does this mean you will call for the boycott of the elections?
We do not think that the problem could be resolved by calling for a boycott of the elections.
You have mentioned that you are willing to sacrifice your cabinet portfolio?
I mentioned this on May Day. I said if someone says that speaking about these issues while remaining in the government is wrong, we are willing to leave.
Does your stance remain the same?
Yes, it is not only regarding the provincial council issue, but on other issues as well. We will not hesitate to make our position clear.
What further steps would your party be taking on this matter?
We will bring pressure on the government. We also call on other parties and unions to bring pressure on the government to bring these amendments.
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