Changes in UNP constitution to meet new challenges: Kabir Hashim

Here are excerpts of a Q and A with United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Kabir Hashim.

ON IMPENDING CHANGES IN THE PARTY: For more than twenty long years we have remained in the Opposition. We have on many occasions amended the party’s constitution. These were necessitated somewhat for the party’s survival. It is now time for us to take stock of the situation. We have to see what changes are needed for the future. There are new challenges. At the moment there is confusion over some positions. They need to be changed. We had a Leadership Council. It became defunct. Other bodies and positions that emerged have to be looked at. Some need to be changed to keep up with the times.

There will be no serious changes in the grassroots level structure of the party. The Polling Booth Organisers, a new structure that emerged, has remained active both during the presidential and parliamentary elections. We are of course looking at a membership drive. We are also discussing an increased role for the youth.

ON FORMALISING A FRAMEWORK FOR THE UNITED NATIONAL FRONT (UNF) WITH CONSTITUENT PARTNERS: We are working on two different documents. One is a new agreement that will bind all members of the UNF. We are hoping to sign it this month. Though I cannot provide details, it will outline broader policies and our joint vision in the years to come. We are also working on a new Constitution. It is now being perused by a team of lawyers. All partners of the UNF will become signatories of this new Constitution. We are also hoping to sign it this month.

THERE HAS BEEN STRONG CRITICISM EVEN AMONG PARTNERS OF THE UNF THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS RENEGED ON PROMISES MADE DURING PAST ELECTIONS TO BRING TO BOOK THOSE REPONSIBLE FOR CORRUPTION, MALPRACTICES AND MISRULE: I don’t subscribe to that view. There has been systemic changes. Earlier, people were arrested and dumped in jail. It is only thereafter that the authorities went looking for evidence. A classic example is what happened to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. One time Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranaike could not stay in her official residence. Another former Government politician had his vehicle stopped by a Police Officer in the southern expressway. Some of those concerned had connived to do wrong. We are under yahapalanaya (good governance).

Officials of the previous regime are protecting their old masters. A limited number of people are collecting evidence. The investigations are definitely going on. There is enough evidence against some of them. No one can be blamed for the delays. I salute both President Sirisena and Premier Wickremesinghe. Both have not misled the public through denials or providing wrong information.

ON FINANCE MINISTER RAVI KARUNANAYAKE’S CABINET MEMORANDUM TO PAY RS 300 MILLION TO A “PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANT”. THIS WAS DISCUSSED AT LAST WEEK’S MINISTERIAL MEETING: I can tell you I would not have spoken. I am governed by collective responsibility. However, the media has highlighted this matter. I objected to a technicality. My argument firstly was that the organisation referred to (Hotel Developers Limited, the holding company of Colombo Hilton) was under my Ministry. Either this subject should have been brought under the Ministry of Finance or it is I who should have been responsible for any recommendation. Secondly, I strongly believe it is not the proper process for such payments. The contents (of the memorandum) itself are at issue.

ON ACTION AGAINST HIRUNIKA PREMACHANDRA ON THE ALLEGED ABDUCTION OF A YOUTH BY HER STAFF: As far as this case is concerned, she has behaved decently. She had acted with responsibility and supported the legal process. A Grama Niladhari (a village level official) was tied to a tree by a politician of the former Government. No action was taken then. When a Deputy Minister was stopped by a traffic police officer, the law did not take its course. The officer’s private vehicle was burnt. Where were the civil society groups then? They were frightened for their lives. We will not interfere in the investigations. She is a member of the United National Front and not the United National Party.