Better comply to needs of ordinary Tamils, than LTTE - DEW

A.W. Gunawardhana, Matara Central correspondent

MATARA: The LTTE is not ready to give up the concept of a separate Eelam. It is better to comply to the needs of the ordinary Tamil population rather than demands of the LTTE.

Racialism makes a man to think and act differently, the General Secretary, Communist Party Dew Gunasekara, the Minister of Constitutional Affairs and National Integration when he addressed the 10th anniversary of the Matara District Communist Party at the Sugriswara Wickramasingha Hall at Hakmana Road, Matara.

Minister of Home Affairs and Executive Member and Matara District Secretary, Communist Party Chandrasiri Gajadheera presided.

The traditional lamp was jointly lit by Ministers Dew Gunasekara, Chandrasiri Gajadheera, SPC Councillor Sosindra Handunge, Deputy Mayor Matara Ranjith Yasarathna, President YMBA, Matara Dr. S.P. Kularatne, Central Committee Members of the CP H.M. Wilbert and Matilda Patabendi.

Minister Gunasekara said, as members of the Sri Lanka Communist Party our duty is to advise the Government on ways and means of solving the problems of the people and not to weaken the Government.

One might think why the Communist Party is following a silent path free from revolutionary concept. We act patiently amidst our own problems with a view to protect the United Alliance Government formed with the sweat of downtrodden class. We do not do politics aiming at high positions.

He said, we have consolidated the strength of government to ensure a majority in Parliament. We never declared that we will desert the Government if so and so gains entry into the Cabinet.

The whole Cabinet welcomes the entry of crossovers. At the initial stages, when some lose their privileges they become overhurt. Is it a bad thing to increase the majority of governing party in Parliament by 18 more MPs? Some are crying over it - just to strengthen the capitalist class. We oppose any or all conspirations to weaken the Government.

Gunasekara said when one goes through daily newspapers, party differences, Cabinet disagreements and myth of a possible general election and rising cost of living are seen as headlines. Even under the present constitution burning problems of the country could not be solved.

He said, even if an election is held tomorrow, no party with a clear majority will come to power. So long as this constitution exists, problems will become worst. The only leader in the country who opposed imperialism was nobody other than Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike.

She could do all that, because the strength of the capitalism and communism was equal in strength then. Sanctions could not be imposed on us, because of that equality.

Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga could not do anything because of the change in world trend that prevailed then. Because of the bad state of economy, even the President’s emoluments could not be met if drastic steps are taken.

Gunasekera said, there are three possible solutions to the problems of the country. One is to go for a General Election which is very costly, yet there is no guarantee for a government with a working majority coming to power.

The next alternative is to form a coalition government with the UNP. It is also not possible because of different views held by both parties on the basis of economic issues, on the ethnic issue, no difference of opinion exists between the two parties, yet Ranil is unreliable.

He said the President sought our views about 25 crossing over to the governing party. We did not oppose, as the minority government will be set with a working majority. Losses and gains became equal by doing so. We agreed with the President over the MoU signed by the UNP and SLFP. All parties should agree for a solution to avoid war.

Gunasekera said, I insisted that both the SLFP and UNP should form an alliance. The language problem is another issue before us. Entrants to State services should be fluent in both Tamil and Sinhalese languages. Those who do not gain proficiency within a certain period of time, should not be confirmed in their posts.

He said the JVP is a great hindrance to the unity of the country. In 1982, Wijeweera conducted his election campaign in the North on the basis that every community should have the right to take decisions of their own.

But Kobbekaduwa polled more votes than either JR or Ponnambalam. We are for the change of the prevailing election system, strengthening democracy and abolition of present presidential election system.

Minister of Home Affairs Chandrasiri Gajadheera said, the CP will use all its strength to change the present path of administration for a better one. We took a different stand on the views expressed by others to abrogate the Pact with the LTTE and driving away Norwegians.

He said, those who opposed the Indo-Lanka Pact signed by JR and Rajive levelled murderous threats at members of the CP. Some of our members were brutally murdered during that period. yet, we did not change our views in the face of death threats. We will continue to stand by our policies.

Several others also spoke.