Priority for infrastructure development in Sabaragamuwa

Sabaragamuwa Chief Minister Maheepala Herath, who was elected to the post for the second consecutive term, tells the Daily News in an interview that the development of both Ratnapura and Kegalle district is a priority for the provincial council administration. He also stressed the need for cooperating with the Central Government and the Opposition in the Sabaragamuwa PC. Consensus is the key to prosperity for the

province, he says.

Pathmasekara Nissanka Rambukkana group

Q:You have been appointed the Chief Minister of Sabaragamuwa Province for another term. Can you describe what new development plans you have for the next five years?

A: Our provincial council was dissolved in three years and nine months though we had been elected for a complete five year period. There was a question on maintaining the provincial council administration over a majority crisis situation created by the JVP. As a result, there are many development plans undertaken by the previous council regime still uncompleted. Now we are in a position to re-start such work that were suspended temporarily.

These works will be done with the blessings of the President. Most of the road development works are done with the assistance of foreign aids provided by the Central Government as the President himself has seen the situation and taken the initiative to resolve these outstanding matters. When the President visited Sabaragamuwa Province he did not use helicopters, instead he travelled using motor vehicles with the intension of seeing the situation himself. He did this in the midst of tense Security situations.

He wanted to see the condition of the road network and take corrective measures. We are fortunate to have such a practical leader and therefore it is much easier to achieve our goals. Apart from the guidance of the President, we now have a clear majority in the provincial council. However, we have decided to do away with the petty political issues and work jointly with the opposition to fulfil the needs of the people of Sabaragamuwa province amounting to nearly two million. These days we are having discussions with eminent educated scholars of the province and get their advice also to develop a manifesto and work cordially with the Government officers of all sectors with a close relationship. The entire staff of provincial council including the Chief Secretary have a genuine interest to serve the people with no uncertainty that results are beneficial to the people. Recently we had a workshop to discuss the steps to be followed collectively with the opposition and newly elected members to the council. There was about 95% participation and we could see that we can move forward with the help of the opposition as well.

Q:You have shown an example to other provinces as well by coming to achieving a common consensus with the Opposition and Government parties. How did you manage to achieve this?

A:In fact we openly discussed whether we intended to keep the political rivalry within the council for the next five years or as peoples' representatives would like to serve people who elected us to the council. We had to take a decision before the next year budget was presented. We have to follow the examples that have been set by the President. No others in the world have made use of resources available in the Opposition parties. There is unbelievable consensus with opposition members which had never been there before in the country. The leading figures of every political party whether Government or Opposition are in his cabinet. Through this, he has achieved new heights and taken steps to uplift the standards of the country with the implementation of major development plans covering many parts of the country.

Q:There was no majority previously when the council was dissolved. Now you have the necessary majority. People might think that you work your own way forward neglecting the people. Will it happen that way?

A:We are not doing what we want. Instead when we develop plans we take into consideration the requirements of the people. Just because we have the majority in the council we do not keep the Opposition aside. We have seen what happened to us in the previous council. The UNP was helping us.

But the JVP who won several seats with the UPFA votes started to go against the UPFA. The people have given the best answer to the JVP. I think this time the UNP is showing a better attitude. UNP has a very senior council member who was also a former Chief Minister. Also the former opposition leader, Wijethunga is a matured politician. This means that UNP has a group of sensible politicians with whom we can discuss any sensitive issue. We are not going to simply ignore them saying that we have the necessary majority. They also have got selected to the council trough the votes of people and have a duty to serve the people who selected them.

Q:The JVP met with a pathetic fate at this election. What is your opinion on such erosion in JVP?

A:In fact we need to think always about our past history. This must be done repeatedly. Then only we can visualise in broad sense what is going to happen. In my view the JVP tends to forget about its own history. When they wanted to go to the Parliament and provincial councils they had only that aim. After getting there it tried to achieve its own objectives.

When we questioned them why they wanted to sit in the Opposition they said it's a political and party decision. The people did not vote for the objectives of the JVP. Even SLFPers voted the JVP thinking JVP would work towards achieving the objectives of UPFA in a better way. Instead of serving the people the JVP violated the mandate given to them and sacrificed it to bring JVP objectives. Not only ordinary people but their own members who were with them for 15,20 or even 30 years have joined hands with the President. This has been a major turning point in the political arena. Even UNPers joined with the President as his vision is correct.

Q: With the dissolution of the council the Chief Secretary M. Kodituwakku has allocated Rs. 200 Million to settle the arrears and distress loan payments of teachers. But, even some teachers in your own electorate have not got the relief yet. Why are you silent though you hold the portfolio of Minister of Education?

A: This is a long outstanding issue and I have been able to settle it to a certain extent. A teacher is not just doing a profession. He or she is dong an excellent invaluable service appreciated by all. The creative vision of a teacher decides the future of the next generation. Such a teacher should have a free mind to build a creative and a generation ready to take responsibilities.

But, in my view no other Government has done so much to the teachers. One might think that a teacher works lesser number of hours in a day of the week. But that service cannot be compared even with the service of an administrative officer of the Government as a teacher has more responsibilities towards guiding future human resources in the proper direction.

Some school principals and experienced teachers receive salaries higher than officers in the administrative service. I am sure teachers are happy and satisfied with what they receive. But, we know there are people who cannot be satisfied at all.

We have understood this fact. We try to get them to the correct path. I have given instructions to the Chief Secretary to ensure that necessary funds have been allocated for resolving outstanding payments.

There may be a few delays in the process. If a teacher personally calls over, I can look into his/her problem and arrange whatever I can do.

My office is open to teachers as well to discuss their issues. If they tell me I will definitely take action. If I come to know that any officer is ill-treating a teacher with genuine problems I do not hesitate to take action against such officers. As soon as I took over the Education Minister portfolio I visited several schools. I have seen the schools with excellent environments and maintained cleanly. Our schools have got the productivity awards which means the country is achieving prosperity soon.

Education portfolio is the one I like most. I had discussions with Education Secretary, Ratnapura together with all provincial education directors, zonal directors and teachers regarding this issue. I think about 21,000 teachers attended that meeting.

There may have been others who have done so. But I am the only Chief Minister to address such a gathering. There are 186 Tamil medium schools in Sabaragamuwa.

The principal of these schools have never had a chance to meet a Chief Minister. These schools have been neglected for a long time. Today the Himinfort Estate Tamil school has one of the best conference halls. The national unity expected by the President has been made a reality in Sabaragamuwa province. Today we have a surplus of teachers. There is a however a shortage of 300 teachers for a few particular subjects. I have managed to recruit 4950 teachers.

Q: There is an allegation that you have less concern for Ratnapura district while more concern is given to Kegalle district. Is this true and what action have you taken to correct such allegation?

A: The best answer to your question can be found in the budget allocations for the Ratnapura and Kegalle District. If the allocations have been made according to the correct proportions, how can one allege that Ratnapura district has been ill-treated. There had been schools in Ratnapura district manned only by voluntary teachers. I have corrected that situation and these schools have now got principals and doing fine now. I have treated both districts on equal basis. Minister of Power and Energy W. D. J. Seneviratne the leader of UPFA in Ratnapura district is aware of this. I have done more work to Ratnapura than former Chief Ministers who came from Ratnapura district.

I have taken special interests to see that Ratnapura District is looked after well. For example, I have allocated three days of the week to meet people from Ratnapura District. I can assure you that I will not get this kind of complaints in another six months time as I work with high hopes and a responsible manner.

Q: During the recently concluded election the support of the unemployed graduates of Sabaragamuwa was for you and they contributed to bring you to power. Now it is your turn to fulfil their aspirations?

A: Definitely, I always have a high regard toward the graduates as they have received these qualifications going through many a hardship. They belong to the intelligent group of our resources.

The UNP did not recognise them even upto the standard of a hospital labourer. With the determined efforts of the President UPFA provided employment to 42,000 previously unemployed graduates. Of this amount 4950 were recruited in the Sabaragamuwa Province. We have given due respect to graduates and continue to do so in future too.

Q:Recently you announced the maiden budget for the Sabaragamuwa province. What are your views on the budget proposals.

A: The most important advice the President gave us when we took oaths was that development of infrastructure facilities in the province alone is not going to uplift the standard of the people in the province. We need to generate new projects within the province and enhance the earning capacity of the people. Our budget proposals have taken consideration of these aspects.

The school leavers will be provided wit necessary vocational training.