Vote for intelligent, educated and non-violent politicians - Dr Sudharshini Fernandopulle

The Government is heading for a decisive victory as the people have clearly endorsed the UPFA’s policies. The Opposition which is in total disarray is resorting to various gimmicks. The Government has not only eradicated terrorism but has also ushered in large scale development. More women should take to politics as more than 54 percent of the population are women

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Q: With the Presidential Election already won, do you agree that the Government is at a clear advantage at the upcoming General Election?

A: The Government will have a very clear victory in the upcoming General Election. The Opposition alliances are now in bits and pieces. The people do not have faith in them because they come forward in various forms time to time. This election will not change the present Government. It will only give more power to the existing UPFA Government. The UPFA will win all the floating votes because the people know that the Government is going to stay. In my electorate a large number of UNPers have already extended their support to us. They want President Rajapaksa to develop the country.

Q: What are the new developments in the Opposition’s campaign that may give them an advantage?

A: Earlier there was a possibility that some people have small sympathy towards Sarath Fonseka’s arrest. That was long ago when the people did not know the truth about it and what he had done when he was serving in the Army. It was a small advantage for the Opposition at that time. But now it is gone and no advantage for the Opposition at all. Now the people know everything.

Now the people know that the arrest had nothing to do with politics. It was not taking revenge because it was Sarath Fonseka who challenged the Government to arrest him for the offenses he had executed while serving in the Army. Today people know that an Army officer cannot act like a civilian and a politician while serving in the Army because it violates all rules and regulations in the Army. Whatever the Opposition did has become a disadvantage for them.

Q: Since the UPFA has been in power for a full term, what are the services that the Government had provided to make it popular?

A: President Mahinda Rajapaksa very successfully and very quickly fulfilled the main promise he made before becoming the President in 2005. That is totally eradicating terrorism and establishing lasting peace. He brought back normalcy to Sri Lanka by wiping out terrorism. Parallel to eradicating terrorism, he carried out the development drive without any interruption. He commenced the rural development and developing the infrastructure facilities even before ending the war.

All the other political parties just offer ‘election promises’ and never comply with them. But the UPFA Government did not do it. Under Mahinda Chintana, the Government complied with all the promises. That is why the people of Sri Lanka have faith in President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the UPFA Government.

President Rajapaksa is taking Sri Lanka towards a whole new non traditional direction with the support of all who can contribute towards the development of Sri Lanka. They are from both Government and the Opposition. Here we have to change the attitudes of the people and promote a non-violent political culture. We have to start from children because adults cannot be changed.

We have to build responsible Sri Lankan citizens who protect the country, environment, fauna and flora.

Q: Does the Opposition have a viable alternative policy to offer? (they are highly focused on women’s well being)

A: The Opposition can give a lot of promises to the people because they know very well that they will never win and there will be no need to comply with those promises. That is why they gave very attractive non-viable promises such as a pay hike of Rs 10,000 for State sector employees during the recent Presidential Election. When it comes to women’s well being, the Opposition only preaches but never practise anything they preach.

Q: The Opposition, especially the UNP says it is the only party that could achieve country’s development. Your comment?

A: After 1989, the UNP has done nothing for the development of the country. So how can they say that only they can develop the country? But since the recent past we see a vast development in Sri Lanka especially in the infrastructure. Within next two or three years there will be a major development in the country especially in the economy.

This development drive has already commenced. The UNP can only talk because they are not in power at the moment and will not come to power for many years to come.

Q: What type of impact will the result of the upcoming General Election will have at International level?

A: When the UPFA Government obtains a two third majority at the upcoming General Election, the International community has to accept that the Sri Lankan people are with the UPFA Government. Although the Opposition has become the minority and are making so many allegations against the Government, they will accept that the Sri Lankan people are with the UPFA Government once it obtains two thirds majority. The result of the upcoming General Election will not have a big impact at the International level because it will not establish a new Government. It will only strengthen the existing Government.

Q: Being a woman politician what do you think about Sri Lankan woman politicians, their service and the things that need to be improved?

A: There should be more women in Sri Lankan politics because over 54 percent of the total population of Sri Lanka are women. None of the political parties have given adequate opportunities for women to enter into politics. No party has included adequate women in their National Lists. The women who want to be in politics and who want to do politics as a career should be encouraged. It is very difficult for a woman to be in politics without family support. Her family should be stable, understanding and cooperative.

Time management is the most important and difficult task for women. I do not believe about equal rights. I believe in due rights.

Most women politicians who are in politics today have a family background but there are women who are talented and capable of doing politics but do not have any connection to politics. Majority of women are not violent. There are violent women in politics. I do not encourage violence at all because I have experienced violence and know the pain. Therefore I am against any type of violence.

It is women and children who suffer at the end of the day. Women are better decision makers. Women should be empowered economically and socially. The President has already understood this and the role of women.

I request the public to use one of their preferential votes for a woman candidate and other two preferential votes for intelligent, educated and non-violent politicians.