‘LG polls results show people’s approval of government policies’

Nadira Gunatilleke

The victory at the recently concluded Local Government elections clearly showed the country and the world that the people approved the government’s policies and programmes, said Cooperatives and Internal Trade Minister Johnston Fernando in an interview with the Daily News.

Following are extracts of the interview:

Q: How do you interpret the latest election victory of the government?

A : This victory shows the country and the entire world that the people of this country clearly approve the government’s policies and programmes. It shows that the people truly feel the development that is taking place in the country. The people have directly rejected all accusations directed at the government by the Opposition who state that the government is stealing while carrying out development projects and has lost the support of the international community.

After 30 years of terrorism, the vote base for the government in the North showed a drastic increase. The percentage of votes for the government has gone up. People re-approved President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership and Mahinda Chinthana - Vision for the Future. The percentage of votes and the number of representatives for the Opposition has further decreased.

Q: What are the future impacts of the Darusman Report and the Channel 4 video?

A: The Darusman Report and the Channel 4 video are the work of certain elements which aim to halt the development and progress of Sri Lanka. The Channel 4 video shows the whole world that even though we eradicated LTTE terrorism within Sri Lanka, it is still very much active in foreign countries.

We have to accept this fact. They want to disgrace the country and the government. The Channel 4 video was produced for that purpose. They never expected that they will lose the war. A handful of them are now trying to take revenge for the defeat they experienced.

Our Opposition and certain foreign countries did not believe that President Mahinda Rajapaksa will eradicate terrorism. But the war was won when there was a global economic crisis. Likewise we will win this ‘war of lies and conspiracies’. As a government, we are sure of that. Injustice does not have a long life. Justice and truth always win. Those who genuinely love their motherland, must join hands with the government to defeat this ‘lies crusade’.

As a person who came from the Opposition, I am sure of one thing. That is, if the Opposition comes into power, the Tamil people will never receive the same service as provided by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. As a person who held ministerial positions in both the UNP and UPFA governments, I know the difference between these two political parties and their leaders.

It is a joke if the Tamil community wish to gain anything from the Opposition. Some in the Opposition are happily waiting for the death of Tamil people to gain political advantages using those deaths. That is why I make this request from the Tamil community.

Intelligent Tamil citizens should join hands with President Mahinda Rajapaksa who tirelessly work for the country and for all ethnicities without political, ethnic, religious or caste differences. He loves children and respects elders. He forgave and freed thousands of LTTE cadres who tried to kill him and his brother. This is a golden opportunity received by the Tamils to join to develop their areas.

Q: What do you think about the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee to find a political solution to the ethnic issue?

A: Proposing to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee is the best and timely decision taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa being an experienced and democratic politician.

It is the Parliament which represents all political parties and ethnicities in the country. It is the Parliament which approves laws of the country according to the democratic system. The Sri Lankan Parliament is the best place that can offer the best solution for an important issue like this.

Earlier, all political parties played games with the ethnic issue for their survival. If they play games again, they will destroy the whole country and people. They should thank President Rajapaksa for proposing a Parliamentary Select Committee to solve the ethnic issue.

Now the time has come for all political parties to stop playing games to gain political advantages. If one genuinely loves his or her motherland he or she should support in finding a political solution.

All those who love their motherland should distance themselves from petty party politics and support to find a political solution for the issue through the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee.

Q: What do you think about the recent incidents such as killing of Bin Laden and Oslo bombing?

A: All countries which oppose terrorism should be happy with the victory achieved by Sri Lanka in eradicating terrorism. If we did not do it, Sri Lanka could have been divided and the world could have received a wrong message further promoting terrorism. World powers said the terrorism cannot be defeated by war. The US killed Osama Bin Laden and showed the whole world the solution that can be given to terrorism. Our President started from peace. He continued peace talks. But people cannot live without water. (Referring to Mavil Aru sluice gate opening.) The government did not wish to go to war with the LTTE, but was forced to do so to save people’s lives.

Look what has happened to a peace loving country like Norway. The same thing happened to us, Sri Lankans. But we suffered for over 30 years. We know pain and suffering very well. The LTTE took foetuses out from inside pregnant mothers’ wombs and killed them in broad daylight. They killed thousands of infants, pregnant and lactating mothers, disabled persons, patients, religious dignitaries, scholars such as Dr Neelan Thiruchelvam, Tamil politicians such as Lakshman Kadiragamar, world leaders such as Rajiv Gandhi and uncountable number of innocent civilians.

World peace can only be achieved by eradicating terrorism. If anybody raises his /her hand against a country which eradicated terrorism, that means they are supporting terrorism and destroying world peace.

Q: What is your message to the public?

A: Sri Lanka's dark and sad era is now over. Evil elements are working to destroy the good era in our country. Nobody should let them to do so. Supporting them means letting down the country, our children. Sri Lanka is marching forward to join with the developed countries. I request all politicians to join in the country's development. Only then will all be able to engage in politics in a democratic manner.

I request the Sri Lankan public to continue to be vigilant just as we were during the country was fighting terrorism. I want all Sri Lankans to be alert because there are certain local and foreign elements which expect the failure of Sri Lanka's development drive and want to see the country and its people being destroyed. Therefore, we have to be vigilant at all times.