Popular approval for Mahinda Chinthana policy

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Labour Minister Mervin Silva says the people have given a massive mandate to the Government to eradicate terrorism as they firmly believe in the policies adopted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his Government. At present the Government has set an example to the entire world on how to combat terrorism. The Minister in an exclusive interview with the Daily News commented on the current political situation and the humanitarian operations launched to eradicate terrorism and the measures taken by
the Government for the welfare of the people successfully facing the global economic recession.

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Uditha KUMARASINGHE

Q: The Government obtain-ed a landslide victory at the recently concluded North Western and Central Provincial Council elections. How has this mandate affected the stability of the Government?

A: This has clearly shown that once again the people have endorsed the Mahinda Chinthana policy. People have continuously approved the Mahinda Chinthana policy at all the recently concluded elections. But various elements that operate within the country are still attempting to sabotage Mahinda Chinthana and extend their support to the LTTE. But most of the country's people starting from grass rootes level to the upper segment of the society have fully endorsed Mahinda Chinthana policy. Earlier all the policies introduced in our country were entirely based on a political ideology of one particular individual. But Mahinda Chinthana policy is completely different from those political ideologies. Mahinda Chinthana also contained all key principles of Buddhism.

The intention of the President is to form a country which is free from tobacco and alcohol. Mahinda Chinthana has also outlined the ways and means of utilising all the country's fertile soil for cultivation and distribute the harvest gathered from such cultivation for the welfare of the people. What else can be given to the people which have already been given to them under Mahinda Chinthana. Therefore, a majority of the country's people are with the Government and we are a very stable Government at present.

Q: At present the people have given a massive mandate to the President and the Government to eradicate terrorism. What are your comments?

A: The people have given this mandate as they firmly believe in the policies adopted by the President and his Government to combat terrorism. In future too, such mandates will be given. A large number of people are rallying round the Government to protect Mahinda Chinthana setting aside political and other differences. At present the world leaders can seek advice from the President, Defence Secretary and the Commanders of the three Armed Forces on how to combat terrorism in their respective countries.

Q: The Government has reached the final battle to put an end to terrorism. Are you confident that the Government would be able to eliminate terrorism from the North very soon and provide democratic rights to the people there?

A: When the Government captured Thoppigala and Kilinochchi, some UNP politicians expressed various false statements to undermine these great military victories achieved by our war heroes. These are great insults made to the country. When we look at the massive development taken place in the East under the Eastern Re-awakening Program, there is no need to doubt about the future development of the North. Once terrorism is eradicated from the North, the Government will start a similar development drive in the North very soon.

Q: What measures will be taken by the Government to provide democratic rights to the people in the North and the East? Do you think a political solution should be introduced?

A: Compared with other Asian countries, we are a very democratic country committed to ensure the democratic rights of the people. In which country do they give medicine and food to a ruthless terrorist organisation like the LTTE? I think Sri Lanka is the only country which treat even ruthless terrorists like the LTTE. This has clearly shown to the entire world how democratic is the Mahinda Chinthana. A political solution will definitely be introduced to the people under Mahinda Chinthana. But it will be a solution which is entirely connected with the State while the opportunity will be provided to the people to speak on behalf of their rights and ways to safeguard such rights.

Q: When the Armed Forces have successfully launched their battle to wipeout terrorism, various local and international forces are operating to belittle such military victories. What is your comment?

A: Such conspiracies have been launched during our history as well. On several occasions in our history, various elements have attempted to betray our country to the foreigners to gain their narrow objectives. But the Sinhala community is a very powerful one. They always extend their love and affection and humanity to all other communities living in this country. If discrimination is practised against any such community, it is very difficult to stop the uprising of that community. This is the unique quality of the Sinhala community. But there are some politicians without a backbone greedy for money and who entirely depend on foreign funds. In addition, there are certain media institutions which depend on the money of various NGOs exploiting the Tamil community. In future, they will be given due punishment by the people. But the Government is not ready to kneel down before such media institutions.

Q: Do you think the present electoral system should be subjected to a change?

A: Definitely this electoral system should be changed. Because of this electoral system, politicians have become prisoners of certain businessmen.

Q: How can the media contribute towards the initiatives taken by the Government to eliminate terrorism and restore peace in the country?

A: Except one particular media institution, all other media institutions have extended their fullest contribution towards this task. All the State and private media are playing a leading role to eliminate terrorism and restore peace in this country. That is a very encouraging fact.

Q: What do you think of the measures taken by the Defence Secretary and the three Armed Forces to wipeout terrorism under the guidance of the President?

A: When President Mahinda Rajapaksa took over this country, the Government had control of only a small portion of land area in the North and the East. The entire Eastern sea area was under the control of the LTTE terrorists. In such a situation, Mahinda Rajapaksa became the country's President in the same way Prince Diyasena emerged from Ruhuna. The President has three brothers Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Basil Rajapaksa and Chamal Rajapaksa who are a great strength to him, to successfully carry out his mission. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who has served as a General of the Sri Lanka Army has a perfect understanding of every inch of land in the North and East. Therefore, the President requested Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to launch this humanitarian operation to eradicate terrorism while instructing Basil Rajapaksa to implement the Jathikasaviya Gama Neguma program to develop the North and East. If this Rajapaksa family did not originate from Ruhuna, we wouldn't have had a fully-fledged leader like Mahinda Rajapaksa who has the ability to safeguard our motherland in this manner. After King Dutugemunu, Mahinda Rajapaksa is the greatest ruler produced from Ruhuna who has similar qualities like Dutugemunu. At present this Rajapaksa family is doing an immense service to put an end to terrorism. For the first time in our history, we could put an end to terrorism due to the vast military experience of the Defence Secretary.

Q: As the Labour Minister, are you satisfied with the measures taken by the Government for the welfare of the Public Servants?

A: The Government has taken every possible measure for the welfare of the public servants. It has increased the salaries of the public servants and provided all their requirements. I think the Government does not have anything more to do on behalf of the public servants.

Q: In the face of the global economic recession, the Government has been able to manage the economy well. What is the main reason for it?

A: Before facing this situation, the Government requested the people to cultivate every inch of land in the country. In order to successfully face this situation, the Government introduced the national food production drive 'Api Wawamu Rata Nagamu' to promote the cultivation of local food varieties. Therefore, our people will never die from starvation. The Government has been able to re-cultivate 150,000 acres of paddy lands in the Eastern Province including 50,000 acres of fallow paddy lands. A bumper paddy harvest is expected during this harvesting season. When the Government has successfully reached the final end of its humanitarian mission, certain local and international LTTE friendly elements have launched a conspiracy to discourage our local businessmen and ensure the collapse of our local economy. These elements through such conspiracies attempt to obstruct the functions of the Government. But the Government has been able to manage the economy very well while safeguarding the local businessmen due to its sound economic policies.

Q: Finally what do you think of the Government's chances of victory at the upcoming Western Provincial Council election?

A: We have no doubt about our victory. The Government has a perfect understanding on the pulse of the common people. We very well know what the people expect from the Government.

Therefore the Government is fulfilling its pledges given to the people one by one. When the President took over the country, he promised the country's people that he would create a country which would ensure that all communities could live in peace and harmony. We are very confident about our victory in the Western Province.