UNP faces unprecedented public wrath

Chaminda PERERA

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Senanayake dynasty throughout history took tremendous efforts to evolve the country’s polity into a new shape which is beneficial to the common man. UNP Deputy Leader Rukman Senanayake is following in the footsteps of his ancestors who left an indelible impression in the country’s political arena. Senanayake in an exclusive interview with the National television said President Mahinda Rajapaksa deserves full credit for bringing country under one banner. He said views expressed by some UNP parliamentarians over the Government’s endeavour against terrorists earned public wrath.

Following are the excerpts from the interview:

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What is your responsibility as the UNP Deputy Leader?

The Party had entrusted the task of Deputy Leader to me. I have always given priority to the country in carrying out my duties as the Deputy Leader of one of the main political parties in the country. It is my fervent belief that this responsibility should be carried out in a way that ensures the country’s well being. I have never got involved in any activity that is detrimental to the country as well as the Party which was established to serve the people.

In 1977, you left the UNP and formed the Eksath Lanka Janatha Party for the purpose of integrating the JVP into the democratic political process. You have displayed a sense of patriotism throughout your political career. How do you help create a unitary State free from terrorism?

Terrorism has plagued the country’s progress for more than two decades. This is a threat to the country and we should extend our support to whoever in power to eradicate this menace irrespective of our political affiliations. The UNP had a clear stand that it should continue supporting the Government in power to eliminate terrorism.

Our party extended its fullest cooperation to the Government in Parliament for the implementation of Emergency regulations which are deemed to be necessary in this exercise.

Unfortunately, several MPs deviated from this policy which led to a series of defeats. The party had to suffer because of them.

Certain UNP parliamentarians were involved in underestimating the Government’s action against LTTE terrorists. They misinterpreted the Security Forces victories to achieve narrow political gains. Have these views of certain MPs made an impact on the party?

Yes. The impact of their conduct is such that the party is facing unprecedented public wrath.

The Armed Forces are relentlessly striving to flush out terrorists from the motherland and the whole country rejoices their victories in the battlefield. UNP parliamentarians’ attempt to underestimate the Security Forces achievements is a disgrace to the party. The party is in predicament due to this adverse campaign.

The UNPers will stick to the party though some sentiments expressed by certain MPs against the country hurt them. The defeat or victory of a party is determined by floating voters whose attitude will definitely be changed by this type of sentiments.

A news item carried in a daily has said you are among a group of parliamentarians that is conspiring against the party leadership. Any comment?

Fissures are developing in the party demanding the eviction of the party leadership and the particular news is aimed to prevent it from being divulged to the country.

The UNP has been defeated on more than 16 elections. The supporters say that the UNP leader and handful of his companions should take the responsibility for what the party is today. What is your opinion on this?

Views expressed by a faction in the UNP has led to the creation of public opinion that the UNP is against the eradication of terrorism. This opinion was so inculcated in the minds of public that the party has not yet been able to remove this state of mind. The party came under heavy public criticism and suffered a series of setbacks due to this situation. Some UNP members have started leaving the party due to this situation.

Do you think that the UNP should support the Government at this critical moment when the terrorism is on the verge of being defeated?

We may have different views and policies but when it comes to the eradication of terrorism we all should come under one banner to face it. It is a threat to the country. Unfortunately, the upper strata of the party deviated from this policy which ultimately caused the party’s set back.

How do you analyse the role of President Malinda Rajapaksa as the Commander-in-chief?

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has given proper leadership to the Security Forces who are engaged in the liberation of country from the terrorists. The President deserves full credit for liberating the country from terrorists. The people irrespective of their racial, political differences should honour the Security Forces who pay high sacrifices for the country and its well being.