Unity key to development - Minister W D J Seneviratne

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The victory of the government at the last LG polls can be attributed to the massive development work carried out by the government specially in the rural areas, said Public Administration and Home Affairs Minister W D J Seneviratne in an interview with the Daily News. The minister talked about the latest election victory of the government, Channel 4 videos, Darusman Report, proposed Parliament Select Committee and the responsibility of the Opposition and the public at this juncture

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

A: The victory of the government at the last LG polls was outstanding. The UPFA won all LG bodies except a few in the North. This victory can be attributed to the massive development work carried out by the government and large-scale infrastructure facilities that have been provided to rural areas. This has benefited people who did not have proper roads, water service, schools and hospitals. Now most of the villages have been provided with these facilities. Villagers not only enjoy their day to-day-life, but also see an improvement in their living standards.

On the other hand people do not find an alternative to Mahinda Chinthanaya - Vision for the future. As such people know that they only can look up to the UPFA for more development and a stable government.

Q: What do you think about the Channel 4 videos and Darusman Report?

A: The Darusman Report which we have been talking about for some time has turned out to be a report that has been prepared to stifle the progress of the country. Nationally and internationally, the achievement of May 2009 has been recognized as extraordinary and those people are trying to sully this victory of the government. So even after the humanitarian operation was over, they were planning to push the country into difficulty and make the government unpopular particularly among the international community.

This Report can be deemed as an attempt made to ridicule the government, its leaders and the forces. This seems to be a step in compliance with the expectations of the Tamil diaspora who have been lobbying against President Mahinda Rajapaksa all over the world. Certain countries that have been supporting the LTTE right throughout by providing them with facilities and encouragement to create an unpleasant environment for the government. Now the international community gradually realizes the inadvisability of this report.

The Channel 4 videos sponsored at the insistence of the Tamil diaspora are concocted and contradictory and there is ample proof to show that they are fabrications and not authentic. The Sri Lankan government released a report with the accurate facts.

Q: Explain the importance and relevance of the proposed Parliament Select Committee to find a political solution for the issues of Tamils.

A: Everybody admits that the time is ripe for a political solution to the ethnic issue. The government too is keen to find a political solution that will provide a permanent solution to the issue. After putting an end to the 30 year war, the government is seeking a permanent solution that will strengthen national unity, economic and social development among the people.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa proposed to refer the matter to a Parliament Select Committee where all parties in Parliament are being represented. If a decision could be arrived through a select committee, then it will be based on compromise among all political parties in Parliament. It would be very advisable because no political party can take undue advantage of any decision of granting rights to the people as otherwise certain parties might try to take undue political advantage. This has been seen in the past. On many occasions whenever a solution was in the offing. A political solution should be arrived at, at any cost. The people are ready to form a social basis upon which a permanent peace can be built up.

People in the North and East in particular are counting their fingers, for the implementation of the 13th Amendment. May be there are features like granting police powers which might not be prudent for some time and what is acceptable and prudent can be implemented in the interest of the people of the country and for the sake of democracy. I believe President Mahinda Rajapaksa will make a decision very soon. The President is regarded as a hero who brought an end to terrorism and who initiated permanent peace in the country by ensuring the democratic and fundamental rights of the people.

Q: What is the responsibility of the Opposition at this juncture?

A: At present the country is going through a decisive period where everybody will have to act in a prudent manner because we are going through a transitional period. Thirty years of war has been ended. The country’s economy has been placed on a firm footing. At a time like this all those who have a sense of responsibility towards the country must get together, help the country progress and resist destructive forces. The idea should be to put the country before one’s self.

Nobody should think of personal or political advantages which might create a disastrous situation. I find some of the leaders of the Opposition have conceptually agreed to this, but certain elements in the Opposition want to make political mileage. This attitude of those who seek political advantages should be shed and they should work for the good of the country.

Q: What is the responsibility of the people when it comes to developing the country?

A: Likewise the people too should help the government which had rescued the country from terrorism to develop it. It is only by the united efforts of the people that this country can be developed and a high standard of living be achieved.