Supporting country’s development, a responsibility of all - Minister Sumedha Jayasena

Nadira Gunatilleke

Following are extracts of the interview:

It is the responsibility of all to support the country’s development drive and find a solution to the issues of the Tamil community, said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sumedha G. Jayasena in a interview with the Daily News. “The responsibility of all, especially political parties, media, NGOs and other groups is to support the government’s effort to find a lasting political solution for the issues of the Tamil community. All must act and think as one nation; as Sri Lankans. Those who love their motherland should not oppose the process of finding a solution,” she said.

Q: What are your comments on the proposed Parliamentary Select Committee in finding a solution to the ethnic issue?

A: This is the best option in finding a solution to the issues of the Tamil community. The government ended 30 years of LTTE terrorism and is now in the process of developing the North and East. A massive development drive is ongoing in those areas. Some members of the Tamil community think that they have been treated as second class citizens but this is not so. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is not a racist at all and he treats all ethnicities equally. That is why he proposed to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee represented by all ethnicities who are able to submit their proposals.

He wants peace and harmony. He listens to the people. Certain elements that hope for the downfall of the government create various issues from time to time. They appear in various forms and guises.

The recent ‘suspicious characters’ were created by them. President Mahinda Rajapaksa took prompt action to control such problems.

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

A: People belonging to all walks of life and ethnicities have placed their trust in President Rajapaksa and the UPFA government.

Day by day, more persons, groups and parties join hands with President Rajapaksa and the UPFA government because all of them have faith in the President and his ability to take wise and correct decisions.

They accept it without party politics. This is the secret behind the continuous election victories of the government.

Q: What do you think about the Channel 4 videos, the Darusman Report and activities of anti-Sri Lankan elements?

A: Most countries in the world still suffer from terrorism. They have failed to eradicate terrorism. All pro-LTTE elements in the world are now trying their best to tell the world that our humanitarian operation caused harm to the Tamil community. But the whole world knows the truth now and no country can be misled by those forces. It is only now that Norway understands the pain of the victims of terrorism. For the last 30 years, the barbaric LTTE hacked pregnant mothers, infants, children, patients and elderly to death.

They killed the clergy and innocent civilians. People lived in forests in fear without engaging in agricultural activities. They starved to death. Nobody knew their pain.

The victims of terrorists had no voice at all. NGOs voiced the LTTE instead of the victims. Bus bombs went off killing hundreds of mothers, children and innocent civilians.

I witnessed one such incident that occurred in Buttala. Now they are free to cultivate and had even now bought vehicles for themselves within a very short period after the end of the humanitarian operation.

Q: What is the responsibility of the Opposition, public and media at this juncture?

A: The responsibility of all especially political parties, media, NGOs and other groups is supporting the government’s effort to find a lasting political solution for the issues of the Tamil community.

All must act and think as one nation; as Sri Lankans. Those who love their motherland should not oppose the process of finding a solution. Sri Lanka is now on its way to become the Wonder of Asia. Previously, it took eight hours to travel to Moneragala from Colombo. But now it takes only four hours. Roads have been carpeted. The Sri Lankan economy thrived when the US economy crashed.

This shows where Sri Lanka is heading. Therefore, it is the responsibility of all to support the development drive of the country and find a solution to the issues of the Tamil community.

The members of the UNP who understood this are now supporting the government. Sri Lanka needs its leader President Mahinda Rajapaksa because he is capable of turning Sri Lanka into the Wonder of Asia. Sri Lanka needs him even after becoming the Wonder of Asia because the country needs to retain that position after achieving it. I have never seen a leader during my 22 year political career who develops the country like President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Q: Please explain the tasks that have been undertaken by your ministry.

A: My ministry provides all facilities and services for all Members of Parliament who represent political parties.

The ministry provides special training for the staff of all ministers and MPs. More funds will be allocated for this ministry from the next budget to carry out its tasks more effectively.