UNP Deputy Leader and Gampaha District United National Front (UNF) chief candidate Karu Jayasuriya says even though the prospects for a free and fair poll are bleak in the current climate, he is hopeful the people will endorse the policies of the UNF this time.
Mr.Jayasuriya in an interview with the Sunday Times also said that when he left the UNP to join the government for a brief period, he was acting according to his conscience and has no regrets about it.
What are the prospects for a free and fair election on April 8?
A free and fair election is what the nation is thirsting for so that they can elect representatives of their choice to Parliament. But we know this is not possible in the present scenario.
We have raised the issue of gross abuse of state resources including property and state media by ruling party candidates. But unfortunately all these have been disregarded.
We saw the trend first in the Provincial Council elections and then in the Presidential election. We have heard many times that all the cutouts, banners and posters will be removed within 24 hours but that 24 hours will probably come only after the election is over.
You are contesting in the Gampaha district and are pitted against the President’s Brother, Basil Rajapaksa. What is the situation there?
I am leading the campaign for the UNF in the district and we have a good team. We are carrying out a quiet campaign. Gampaha has a highly literate population. Most of them are public officials or are employed in the private sector. Others too have a high level of intelligence. We don’t have to make a noise to get their attention. Even though he (Basil Rajapaksa) is a powerful and high profile candidate, I believe that people will make a wise decision by looking at our policies and vote for us. We can see a trend similar to what happened in 1977.
The government of Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike carried out a high profile campaign that year, while J.R.Jayewardene carried out a low profile, quiet campaign and the people gave their verdict. We expect a similar outcome because the people are frustrated with this government. When they see the 40-feet cutouts, and realize that some candidates are spending as much as Rs. 300 million for propaganda, they realize it’s an utter waste of money. All this waste while they say there is no money to buy drugs for patients at the Maharagama Cancer hospital or to control diseases such as malaria or dengue.
You left the UNP at one time and several others left with you. You subsequently returned to its fold but some of your critics say that being a senior member of the party, your actions encouraged others to leave as well.
Any comments?
I had my own views with regard to the suppression of terrorism. I myself faced threats in 1971 and 1980s and the LTTE made several unsuccessful attempts on my life. I believed that terrorism had to be eliminated if the country was to go forward. The Mavil Aru incident and the attempt on the life of the Army Commander (General Sarath Fonseka) was the turning point. On that day there was a hue and cry in the country -- the Maha Nayakas and other religious leaders called on everyone to come together. I obeyed that call and that of the voice of my conscience which said act in the best interest of the country.
I mentioned this to my party leader and there were people who agreed and those who did not. Some of those who opposed me at the time are no longer in the UNP today. Political leaders do have to take certain decisions. During the 1971 insurgency, J.R.Jayewardene wanted to support Mrs. Bandaranaika and he was insulted by some. When Ranil Wickremesinghe signed the ceasefire agreement he was insulted by some, but it helped to divide the LTTE.
My conscience is very clear. While I was out of the party, I never criticized it and maintained cordial relations with the leadership. Sometimes we have different views but he respected my views. Of course there are those who claim their blood is green and criticize me but my blood is also green because from my childhood I have been an UNPer.
With the general elections around the corner, there are rumors of more crossovers from the UNP to the government side? Your views?
There are various rumours doing the rounds. We know there are several government seniors who are unhappy with what is happening. We except the people of the country to endorse our policies this time. We have one of the finest manifestos this time.
We have addressed many issues such as the cost of living, good governance etc. When the UNP was in power for two years; we turned the zero growth economy around. There is a good possibility that people will vote for us this time. However, if there won’t be a free and fair election the people will not get the chance to make a free choice.
Will those who joined the government return?
I do not know that but I know some of them are unhappy.
With the war now over, what are the other challenges that have to be surmounted for the country to prosper?
Good governance is important. But it is not there today. Who runs the country today? Political thugs have taken control of the administration and the Police. Politics have dropped to the lowest levels.
Is there still room for the gentlemanly politics you often talk about, given this atmosphere?
People appreciate gentlemanly politics but they do not have the freedom or the opportunity to endorse such politics. Look at the manner in which the state media is being abused day in and day out to bash opposition parties while promoting the government. It is completely unethical and wrong.
We have sought the intervention of the Supreme Court. One day I know that natural justice will take its course and the guilty will be punished. This cannot go on for ever. People will revolt against this one day. |
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