'Opportunistic rogues'

Q. How do you see the current political instability in parliament?

A: We have enlightened the public on the problem. The political instability began after the last general elections. Various deals had been struck up by political parties merely to gain power in parliament. But they were not satisfied. If the PA held a free and fair election and received a clear mandate, there would have been no problem at all.

Q. But the SLMC had been a part of the PA and how do you say that the government was formed with opportunists?

A:The PA is an organisation with a bunch of opportunistic rogues. The SLMC remained with them in a different manner.They contested under the Tree symbol in certain areas, while in other areas they contested on the the SLFP ticket. The PA never gave this privilege to other groups. Eventually they bargained on the seats gained on the Tree symbol as well as on the PA symbol.The PA agreed on various deals and formed the government.

What actually should have happened was that the government should be formed on the number of genuine votes received.Thereafter a national policy should be formulated. If that policy was good the opposition should either support it or reject it. However, the opposition should also act with some responsibility in such cases.

Q: Do you think the PA leadership has such a political concept?

A: That is the question. They do not give priority to the country. They think power is a licence to plunder public money and state property while seeking financial gains for themselves.

Q: What would happen next?

A: The last thing that would happen is to face a general election .

Q: In that case what will happen to the proposed probationary government?

A: Our next round of talks with the President is scheduled for August 31 and we are not sure as to what would take place. However, we want an agreement on all matters in full and we will not agree to implement part of it. We are not expecting any posts. This is the first time that a party is offering such co-operation. The talks between PA/UNP failed because of a dispute over the post of the vice President. 

Q: What did you mean by saying that a general election is the last resort?

A: The continuance of this problem is a danger to our country. We should allow the people to decide. A destabilized situation is not a good thing for any country. We need to go for a fresh election without thinking of its cost.

Q: Do you think the government is willing to do so?

A: The government may not agree due to internal problems. Ministers S. B.Dissanayake, Mahinda Wijesekara, G. L.Peiris and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle are working against the President. They may not even get nominations and might face the elections as a break-away group or even contest on the UNP ticket. Therefore, the government might look for other alternatives in the event of an election.

Q: Will there be malpractices at elections?

A: The PA electoral mechanism is in a mess. It was headed by S. B. Dissanayake. As this is going to be a decisive election the groups in the lower rungs will not have a place. That happened in 1994 as well. Some UNP thugs acted with a free hand and the lower groups did not wield much power. So even in this election the situation will be very much the same.

Q: What will happen if we come back to a similar situation after elections?

A: The current problem is one which has been created. It is part of our social cum economic problems. People who expect to come to power must leave behind their present arrogant attitude and develop a sense of transparency and adopt people-friendly attitudes. They need to heed the views of the majority in the opposition . If they are unable to adopt a change, they should quit politics. Power is not a licence to plunder the country's wealth. If they do not think so the people will teach them a lesson. Such a change in governance will usher in a better political atmosphere. We are optimistic that such a parliament will see the light of day.

JVP extends conditional support to government

Q: The government is calling the LTTE for talks and has said the Norwegian peace efforts can go ahead. But in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the JVP has demanded that the LTTE should denounce Eelam before entering into talks. Is the JVP going to insist that the government should bring it as a pre-condition ?

A: The decision for the government to hold talks with the LTTE was not included in the MoU. But the LTTE has to publicly denounce Eelam because unless they do so there is no point in holding talks. If the government is going to hold talks we will bring up this point and if it goes ahead trying to devolve powers we will protest. 

Q: But the clause not to devolve power has been included in the MoU. Is this not a vital point when going into talks with the LTTE?

A: Yes. Devolving power cannot be done under this agreement for a period of one year. But if the government tries to devolve power through this, it will affect the MoU and we are against it. We have suggested that the issue should be first discussed with the participation of all segments of society to reach a common consensus. 

Q: The MoU does not have a clear statement about resolving the national issue, except to hold back devolving power until a broader consensus is reached. Why wasn't anything specific mentioned ?

A: We made a programme only for one year. And this is a weak government that cannot afford to handle such an important issue. Another reason is that the stand taken by the government and the JVP is different. The government wants to devolve power but we want to give equal rights and to restore democracy to solve the national issue. So there is a conflict in ideas. We did not want to bring up such conflicting issues because we would not be able to even implement them within one year.

Q: Is the JVP keeping to the deadline of September 12 to slash the Cabinet to 20 or has the party given more time?

A: We are not prepared to change anything which is included in the MoU. The government has to reduce the Cabinet to 20 by September 12 or else the agreement comes to an end.

Q: While one clause in the MoU says the Cabinet should be slashed, another clause states that a committee of specialists will be appointed to all ministries. Isn't there a contradiction ?

A: The committee will not be appointed to overlook ministries. It will be a consulting committee to each ministry. The committee will have professionals whose skills are not made use of. This will not have any bearing on the slashing of the Cabinet.

Q: Will JVP members be appointed to this committee?

A: There won't be any JVP members. However, qualified people will be appointed irrespective of their political affiliations.

Q: Before signing the MoU the JVP said there would be no more privatisation including the sale of Sri Lanka Telecom shares. However, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had said the remaining Telecom shares would be sold. Isn't there a contradiction?

A: The MoU clearly states that the government cannot privatise anything within this year. This will apply to banks, insurance, water and forests, to name a few. We also said the government could not enter into any trade or financial agreements agreements that could be detrimental to the country. This will not apply to the agreements already signed. So the MoU will not effect the signing of the IMF deal. But the government has agreed not to sell the remaining Telecom shares.

Q: Who will decide what is detrimental to the country?

A: Anyone can decide that. We also can consult professionals. But both parties to the MoU have to agree on a given agreement.

Q:The MoU says a committee comprising trade union representatives will be appointed to look into the ILO Convention not in force in Sri Lanka. How will the private sector react with the alleged JVP-backed trade union activities?

A: The JVP was not responsible for trade union activities in companies. When companies face a crisis, they put the blame on trade unions to justify the closure. We will fight for workers' rights, but we will not let the economy suffer. The MoU says the ILO Convention ratified in Sri Lanka will be implemented on the committee's recommendations.

Q: The JVP wants the government to intervene and keep the cost of living under control and prevent price increases. What are the practical measures the JVP has suggested?

A: Although it is a difficult task, we have told the government to do away with perks, crack down on corruption and slash the Cabinet. If we can urge the business community to fall in line, our targets can be achieved.

Q: Will any JVP member be included in the monitoring committee?

A: The PA and the JVP will give a list of nominees to establish the committee that will comprise religious leaders, lawyers and professionals.

Q: Can the PA take policy decisions outside the MoU?

A: If the PA wants to take any decision outside the MoU it will have to consult the JVP. 

Q: Can any clause in the MoU be amended by mutual agreement?

A: For any amendment both parties will have to agree.

Q: Under the MoU there is a ban on the importation of luxury vehicles for parliamentarians. Why do the JVP MPs ask for luxury vehicles?

A: The JVP has not asked for luxury vehicles. But we have ordered about nine vehicles. Two are vans and the others are double cabs. 

Q: Did the government make a formal request to the JVP to vote against the no-confidence motion?

A: The JVP is bound by the MoU to do everything possible to see that the government remains in power. If the no-confidence motion is brought we will vote for the government. This does not mean that we will be a PA ally. 

Q: If the government gets the JVP to vote for it and then violates the MOU, what will happen?

A: This is a debatable issue. The government can say the JVP will get everything and then vote against it. If either party violates the MoU, the people will decide the course of action.

A dry story

By Nilika de Silva 

Hambantota, Moneragala, Puttlam, Ratnapura Badulla, Kurunegala, Ampara districts have been plunged into deep crisis while Mannar, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts are also facing major problems.

In Ampara District about 20,000 families have been affected, the worst hit areas being Uhana, Damana, Lahugala, Pothuvil and Thirukkovil. 

Officials in the district said hardly any drought relief had been received.

Badulla's Additional District Secretary Newton Perera said 28,000 families in the district were affected and they were finalising plans for drought relief. He said Ridimaliyedda, Mahiyanaganaya and Kandaketiya were the worst affected in the district.

In the Batticaloa District, Vellavadi and Koralaipattu in the uncleared areas have been affected and drinking water was being distributed by bullock cart and other means, Additional Govt. Agent, S. Shanmugam said. 

Kurunegala District Secretary T. Ranasinghe said more than 70,000 families were in dire straits without even drinking water and water was being supplied to them through bowsers. He said surveys were being conducted before providing dry rations and other essentials.

In Mannar District, about 200 families living around the town and bowsers are providing water.

In Moneragala modern tube wells with a huge output have been setup and bowsers are carrying water from there to affected families.

In Hambantota and other southern areas which were worst affected drought relief continued with international agencies and local NGO's channeling water and dry rations.

Among those sending aid was the Sri Lanka Red Cross which yesterday dispatched 8 lorry loads of flour. With funds form the European Union , 50 water tanks of 1000 litres each were also sent to Tissamaharama and Sooriyawewa. 

This process would make things easier for villagers who would not have to wait beside the road for long hours till bowsers come.

The Rotary Club has opened a website for fund raising - www.sosrotary.org allowing donors to make donations on-line using credit cards. Payments by cash, cheque, bank draft or money order could be made payable to 'sosrotary' O/A Sampath Bank. A relief center has been set up at Reid Avenue along with several collection centers .

The Government is providing Rs. 1,200 worth of dry rations a month to affected families islandwide. In Hambantota district alone 1,05,000 families of the total 139,000 will receive this subsidy for six months, according to minister Mahinda Rajapakse who is co-ordinating the drought relief operation. While the Hambantota district is being flooded with drought relief officials there are advising donors to focus attention on Thanamalwila, Sevanagala and Wellawaya areas which are also stricken by severe drought. 

Members Day of women lawyers

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