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The NPP will bring about a new political culture: AKD
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By Chandani Kirinde
As he enters the final lap of a punishing election campaign schedule, National People’s Power (NPP) presidential candidate Anura Kumara Dissanayake took a few questions from the Sunday Times on his hopes to build a better country and move ahead with the times while allaying fears of violence if he wins Saturday’s presidential election.
Here are excerpts of the interview:
Q: What are the main issues that you have identified in the county that need to be addressed urgently?
A: The main crisis that has arisen in this country is an economic crisis. It is not a problem that cropped up in isolation but is linked to many other problems. The economic crisis is a result of an amalgamation of many factors including an inefficient public service, breakdown in law, lack of unity and reconciliation among different communities in the country, a weak foreign policy and rampant corruption.
A: In the past there were clearly defined lines dividing capitalist and socialist blocs. At that time, we adopted a non-aligned foreign policy. But today there are many different blocs that have emerged. Under no circumstances will we get drawn into any geopolitical conflicts or become partners to any such conflicts. But our neighbour India is engaged in a geo-political race. Hence when we formulated our foreign policy, we have taken into consideration the national security and concerns of India. Similarly, we also have to bear in mind the security concerns of others in the region. Hence in our security policy, we have taken into consideration regional security as well. Our economic policy will give priority to projects that are favourable to our country and help us maintain foreign policy in which we build strong relations with all countries. It is not proper for a small country like Sri Lanka to have an isolationist foreign policy. Our foreign policy takes these issues into consideration.
A: That was our history about 30 years ago. At the time India was engaged in the politics of domination in our region. The situation worsened with a government in office in our country at the time that adopted a pro-US stance. We had severe criticism of India’s role in our country during that period. But that is history and all that has changed today. The world has changed. India has changed. We have changed. In this situation we have a strong stance on how we will work with India. Policies are not etched in stone. They develop and change. If there are policies that cannot be changed, they belong to the stone age. We have changed in keeping with the changes that have taken place in the world.
A: Yes, it’s possible that some see us that way. Some groups in our country also see us this way. But we have clearly explained our policies. This is one of the strongest criticisms levelled at us by our opponents. But we deal with people who live in a realistic world. We are able to fathom very well the changes that have taken place in the world. People are able to understand what kind of a political movement we are. Whenever we meet, we explain our position clearly. If that is still not clear, they can see it in the way we run our government.
A: Nothing will happen. What is affecting the stock markets, deterring investors are bribery and corruption, inefficiency and the lack of strong laws. Those who claim to have good international ties have brought in foreign investments totalling only USD 12 billion between 1978 to 2022, which is a period of 44 years. In Vietnam, last year alone, foreign investments exceeded USD 23 billion. So, what is the problem here? No clean investor will come to Sri Lanka. Which investor will come when they have to bribe ministers? Under the NPP government, we will create a healthy environment for foreign investors as well as for the stock market to operate in.
A: I can guarantee that there will be no violence. As a political movement, we have a strong political mechanism. We will not allow violence or unrest under our rule. Post election violence such as attacking political opponents, and their supporters is part of the existing political culture. We are coming to change that. Hence after our victory we will not allow even a scratch on our political opponents. On the other hand, our party supporters and members have no need to resort to such acts. Our country needs a new political culture. Everyone should be free to support the party of their choice and after the end of the election, we need a government that treats all citizens equally. Hence the NPP will bring about a new political culture under which post-election violence will be a thing of the past.
A: The constitution outlines the procedure to be followed in the interim period between the election of a new president and the election of a new parliament. The president has the power to dissolve parliament. Our options range from appointing a Cabinet with our members or forming a caretaker government with other parties. There is also provision for the President to bring all the ministries under his purview. Whatever decision we make will be in keeping with the Constitution. Nothing will be done in violation of the Constitution.
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