‘Be a part of the massive countrywide development drive’

Do not be misled by conspirators:

The government is making a huge sacrifice to ensure the welfare of the public. The public should be aware of evil elements and should not be misled by their underhand activities. The government invites all citizens with honour to be a part of the massive countrywide development drive, said Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa during an interview with the Daily News

Q: What are your plans in 2012 for your ministry to push forward the Mahinda Chinthana - Vision for the Future?

A: Protecting the environment has become a global issue at present. Today, the whole world lives in a capitalist consuming economic system.

This system is now falling apart and draining our natural resources. Commercialization has already posed a severe threat to the people.

The oil price hike in the world market is one result of this process. But, the Sri Lankan government has kept key economic centres without privatizing them. Farmers get a high price for their agricultural produce today. Employment is being generated.

The Sri Lankan government is following the middle path very successfully in a capitalist economic system. The country is being developed while protecting the national assets and funds.

The government has given a significant uplift to the living standards of people.

Q: Comment on the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) report and the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on solving the ethnic issue.

A: The LLRC report was tabled in Parliament as soon as it was handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Normally, reports submitted to the President are not tabled in Parliament like this.

The LLRC was appointed by the government which did not interfere with its activities. It was proved by its report. The report made various recommendations.

Various persons and groups criticized the report. The relevant state institutions were granted powers to implement the recommendations of the LLRC report.

The Army Commander appointed a Court of Inquiry based on the recommendations made by the LLRC report. Likewise, other ministries are also taking steps to implement the recommendations.

The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) was appointed to solve the existing matters. It is appointed to hold discussions on the 13th amendment and what can be done beyond that because some parties say that the 13th amendment is not adequate.

The final decision, which is a decision of this country should be approved by Parliament.

The President will not be taking a decision by himself. All political parties should approve the solution. To do this all political parties need to get together and hold discussions. We believe that all should agree to the PSC.

Since there is no war now, the TNA can talk according to its conscience. Earlier, they couldn't do so because they were under the threat of the LTTE. But today, this situation does not exist. Today they can freely express their views. All other political parties should also express their views. The ethnic issue could not have been solved in the past because of the problems created by the Opposition. In the past, the Opposition including the UNP were only blaming and not taking any responsibility towards solving the problem. But now that the government has already solved the basic problems, the UNP should act with responsibility.

Q: What do you think about the JVP split and the internal crisis in the UNP?

A: There is no room whatsoever in Sri Lanka for another armed struggle as hoped by the rebel group of the JVP.

Nobody will take up weapons again in Sri Lanka. But all have the right to do politics. There is an accepted democratic process to do politics.

It is wrong if anybody thinks that they could have a long political career by resorting to undemocratic acts.

The people taught lessons to such elements in the past through the ballot. After the humanitarian operation any political party should be able to do politics.

Anybody acting undemocratically will be a betrayal of the public. After 30 years of war and suffering Sri Lanka is free of terrorism today. Now we have the task of developing the country. There should be various opinions and such opinions can be freely expressed.

The United National Party (UNP) is in a serious crisis. Everybody can see it very clearly now. All UNPers think as leaders. This crisis will not be solved for a long time. It is a long lasting internal conflict.

Q: What will happen at the United Nation's Human Rights Council sessions to be held in March?

A: The Sri Lankan delegation will take part in the United Nation's Human Rights Council Sessions to be held in Geneva in March. The Sri Lankan delegation is taking part in the sessions while a lot of positive programmes are being conducted in Sri Lanka.

Therefore, there is no problem. The government has re-settled all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

The government has completed the de-mining process. A massive development drive is taking place to provide infrastructure facilities, such as, roads, schools, hospitals etc. to the North and East. Normalcy has returned to the North and East which was affected by terrorism.

This is not the same situation existing in other countries affected by conflicts.

There were certain problems which occurred due to some statements made by certain elements without knowing the facts. The Sri Lankan delegation will explain the real facts and the truth to those countries.

Q: Do you think that conspirators are in action with the objective of toppling the government?

A: Certain elements are trying to create unrest in the country by using non existing 'issues'. They are trying to make people angry.

They are acting according to private and foreign agendas.

All problems have cropped up in foreign lands and the LTTE Diaspora is now trying its best to achieve its goals which it could not achieved through war. The government will not let those elements create an anarchy in Sri Lanka.

There are certain local and foreign elements that are jealous about Sri Lanka and the government for eradicating terrorism, achieving peace and progressing towards achieving developed status.

These elements are trying their best to realize the LTTE Diaspora's objectives. Meanwhile, certain political parties are trying to test their capabilities and whether they are popular among the people by organizing protests.

The main objective of all those elements is to create anarchy in Sri Lanka.

The government always sticks to the method of solving problems through discussions and this has been the policy of the government right throughout.

The same procedure is to be followed in the future. A certain NGO is responsible for instigating the fishermen to protest in Chilaw.

While fishing took place in most parts of the country, it was only the fishermen in Chilaw that had taken into streets using the fuel price hike as an excuse.

This NGO instigated the fishermen after the government held a very successful discussion with them and came to an agreement.

Q: Do you have any special message for the public?

A: The government is making a huge sacrifice to ensure the welfare of the public. The public should be aware of evil elements and should not be misled by their underhand activities.

The public should be far-sighted. The government invites all citizens with honour to be a part of the massive countrywide development drive and expect that the public will never fall prey to a handful of local and foreign conspirators.