‘Slum dwellers living standards will be uplifted’

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The government is trying to uplift the living standards of slum dwellers by providing them new housing facilities without shifting them from Colombo. One housing unit is worth Rs. 2.5 million, said Science and Technology Deputy Minister Faizer Musthapha during an interview with the Daily News

Following are the extracts of the interview:

Q: What will be the result of the upcoming Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) election?

A: The UPFA will win all Local Government bodies for sure. The UNP hopes that the CMC will always be green. But it is only a myth because the people are wise. They have eyes to see and ears to hear. Today, the people do not vote for the UNP on the basis that their parents used to do so. They think about what is best for the country and vote.

This UPFA government eradicated the most ruthless terrorist outfit, gave permanent peace to the country and won the hearts and minds of the people. No government in the past was capable of doing so. We see tangible development in Colombo. Earlier, Colombo was full of dirt and was a disease-prone city. Our Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa made this transformation possible. President Mahinda Rajapaksa very clearly stated that he wants to make the lives of the Colombo people beautiful, not only the city. To do this, the Urban Development Authority (UDA) will build 35,000 houses in Colombo within three years. This is to beautify the lives of the Colombo people.

Q: How is the UPFA election campaign proceeding?

A: President Mahinda Rajapaksa assigned me to coordinate the UPFA election campaign in the CMC together with all other Ministers, MPs etc. We are confident about the people’s support for us. The UNP and the Opposition is now in the process of creating fear in the hearts and minds of the Colombo people stating that the government will evict slum dwellers from Colombo and change the ethnic balance in Colombo. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa categorically denied these fabricated lies.

There is a place called Somali Watta in Colombo. This place got this name because of the low living conditions of the people and the lack of facilities. Ten to 15 people live in a small room and over 100 people use one broken toilet. The government is trying to uplift the living standards of these slum dwellers by providing them new housing facilities without shifting them from Colombo. One housing unit is worth Rs. 2.5 million. This is why the UNP is irritated with the government.

The UDA conducted a survey recently and some of its facts were questionable. The UNP used this survey to mislead the people and fabricate stories. The President and the Defence Secretary clearly said nothing will be done to change the lifestyle of slum dwellers by shifting them as their daily routine such as schooling, employment etc could be affected. The President said the government understands their situation.

Q: What do you think about the election campaign of the Opposition?

A: The UNP is trying its best to use the ‘ethnic card’ to get the votes of the Colombo people. President Mahinda Rajapaksa clearly stated that there are no minorities in this country. The UNP has nothing to use against the government. Thus, they are now trying to influence the people by using this. Recently the Opposition stated that the government is planning to cut down all big trees in Colombo. This is hilarious. The election campaign of the UNP is bankrupt.

Q: The main accusation of the Opposition is the removal of slum dwellers. What do you have to say?

A: The Opposition says the slums will be destroyed and the lives of the people will be affected. But the President always stated that he is a man from the village who was brought up in Colombo. He says he knows the needs of the Colombo people very well. The UPFA is a government for all. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has been to paddyfields, fishing villages and slums in Colombo and had meals with them. Wearing a tie and engaging in politics is all right but the UNP is far away from the common man. They have lost the common touch. That is why the UPFA is continuously winning elections.

Q: How do you compare the candidates’ lists of the Opposition and the UPFA?

A: Milinda Moragoda is the best person to head our list because he is engaged in gentleman’s politics and he has local and international support. He has a vision. He is capable of working with the Defence Secretary and the UDA to transform Colombo to a ‘City of Excellence’. His campaign is based on his manifesto and the people believe him. Mohamed Maharoof, Azath Sally, Yamuna Ganeshalingam and others are reputed candidates. They are more than politicians. The people love them. Our list is much more impressive than the UNP list and we have more dynamic candidates. They are people-friendly.

The people love President Mahinda Rajapaksa because he provided them solace. A mother recently told me she does not want anything else as she can now walk on roads without fear of bombs. Many people vote for the UPFA because they believe that they have a debt to pay to the President and the UPFA for providing them mental solace and permanent peace. We can debate about anything except achieving peace.

Q: Do Muslims have anything to fear under UPFA regime?

A: Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa recently met the Association of the Muslims Clergy and clarified all the issues regarding the Muslim community. For example, the Defence Secretary said the Muslims can wear the skull cap and take the photograph for the National Identity Card. He affirmed that no order has been given banning that. The UNP and the Opposition use a lot of fabricated lies and false propaganda to create a friction among Tamil and Muslim communities and influence the election. This is not the time to play the ethnic card because we suffered for over 30 years and achieved peace.

No Muslim won from the UPFA from Kandy but I did. It is because I believe and act as a Sri Lankan. We want to provide the dividends of peace for all. The UNP is acting as an obstacle for the masses to achieve tangible benefits of peace because it plays ethnic card to influence people. President Mahinda Rajapaksa and UPFA government believes that all are equal and all should be a part of development.

Q: Do you have any message to the Muslim community?

A: President Mahinda Rajapaksa fought for the rights of the Palestinian people when he was only an MP. He is loved by the Palestinian people. He is loved by the Arab world. He believes that all communities are equal. Neither he nor Moragoda ever adopt racial policies. That is why the UNP have fears. The UNP has a pro-Western foreign policy.

The UNP says they do not need the support of the Central Government to develop Colombo. But at present the Central Government and the Western Provincial Council is under the UPFA. The CMC comes under the Provincial Council and functioning alone will not be possible.

Think about your children and their future! Show your gratitude to President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the UPFA. Be a stakeholder in the victory and transform Colombo to a ‘City of Excellence’.