Provincial Council elections:

Applicants’ past, crucial factor in nominations - Minister

We gave nominations this time after carefully going through Police reports of the applicants. Persons accused of various crimes, corruption and malpractices requested nominations from us but we did not give them. We thoroughly studied reports on each applicant’s past. We will continue the same procedure in the future, said SLFP General Secretary and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena during an interview with the Daily News.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: What are the chances of the UPFA winning the three upcoming Provincial Council elections?

A: The UPFA will record a magnificent victory in all three upcoming PC elections. There is no doubt about that. The people of the Eastern and North Central Provinces feel the dawn of peace. The Eastern Province was fully governed by the LTTE earlier. The NCP was the boarder province to the North and East and the people there suffered just as the people in the North and East. Now the people in NCP enjoy peace. People never forget what they underwent.

The fastest development in the country was achieved by the Eastern province. It achieved the fastest and greatest development after the conclusion of the humanitarian operation. If anybody wants to see real development, they have to go to the Eastern province. Other two provinces also achieved significant development under the UPFA government. The people living in the Sabaragamuwa province also enjoy peace today. Today, farmers who grow tea, rubber, spices etc. earn a good income and traders who sell the same products get a good income. The economic situation in the province is satisfactory. After considering the permanent peace and the ongoing massive development drive, the people living in all three provinces will definitely vote for the UPFA.

Q: The PCs blame the central government for not granting adequate funds for development while the public blame the PCs for not carrying out work. Comment.

A: Although some politicians in the provinces say they do not have adequate funds for development activities, the development work of these provinces are being carried out. When the government governs the country, it does not matter which institution carries out the development work. What matters is whether development takes place in the area or not. We do not need to create divisions in connection with this issue.

There are certain shortcomings in the PC system. But today we cannot reject the PC system. With the ethnic issue and the need for devolution of power, a majority believe that we need the PC system.

We need to correct shortcomings in the PC system when it comes to devolving power but regarding development, what matters is acting as part of the government to develop the entire country. President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s government has already carried out a massive development drive in all three provinces where PC elections are held. More development projects are in progress in these provinces.

Q: What are the main development projects in your area, Polonnaruwa district, over the past years?

A: A special dam safety programme launched by the government in Polonnaruwa at a cost of Rs. 10 billion covering all main tanks such as Parakrama Samudraya, Girithale, Kaudulla etc. The project will increase the water level of tanks and ensure safety of the future of the farming community in the province.

The project commenced during the time I held the post of Agriculture Minister and ensured the safety of the future of dams and farmers. All roads in the area were developed spending millions of rupees. Health facilities in the province developed and modern medical equipments were provided to all state hospitals in the district. The Polonnaruwa hospital has modern medical equipment which are not available even at the Colombo National Hospital. Employment was provided to youths bringing down unemployment in the area. Buildings were provided to schools, higher education institutes etc. Today, the Polonnaruwa district has achieved a significant development and stands out among other districts.

Q: How do you see the conduct of the Opposition at this moment?

A: How can the Opposition talk about a common Opposition when there is no common agreement or unity in the United National Party (UNP), the main political party in the Opposition? The UNP leader secured his position for six more years by amending the party constitution. This raises questions about his ability to agree with other political parties because he cannot agree with the members of his own party. Under his leadership, the UNP experienced defeat, division, setbacks and destruction. He amended the party constitution and ensured his power for six years to block the insurgency within his party. He cannot build the country without being able to build the UNP. According to our democratic system, all political parties should select their leaders annually or at least once in two years. The present Opposition leader is the only leader in Sri Lanka who brought an amendment stating that the party leader and officials should not be appointed in a period less than six years. If the UNP and its leader behave like this without power, what will they do if they get power ?

They accused the President and the UPFA government when we brought in the 18th amendment stating it was against the democratic system. They said the amendment was not appropriate.

The same people closed the door for the leadership of their own party for six years for their party members. This is how they practice so called democracy.

They do not have any ethical right to speak about a common Opposition and they will not be able to form such a thing.

Q: What is the SLFP policy on giving nominations for those accused of various crimes?

A: We gave nominations this time after carefully going through Police reports of the applicants. Persons accused of various crimes, corruption and malpractices requested nominations from us but we did not give nominations.

Therefore, they were angry and now campaigning against us. Some of them are now contesting independently. We thoroughly studied reports on each applicant’s past. We will continue the same procedure in the future. We think it is good if all other political parties can follow the same method.

Q: How will you combat the existing drug mafia?

A: The National Drug Policy is required to offer high quality drugs at a low price. Other countries have rules and regulations on drugs. But the rules and regulations in Sri Lanka are not adequate to control drug-related issues. That is why we plan to bring the National Drug Policy. The error occurred at the Attorney General’s Department has affected the entire country today. The relevant officials in the Attorney General’s Department did not carry out their duties properly. The new officials in the department are currently working on the policy. There is a court judgement. The delay is not created by the Health Ministry. The delay was with the Attorney General’s Department. If they do their job on time, we can bring the policy without delay.

Q: What do you think of the approach of the media regarding reporting crimes, national issues etc?

A: The question is whether it is politicians or the owners of media outlets who rule the world. This situation is common to the entire world. Today, the media can utter good, bad or lies about any government. The media can also portray a hardcore criminal as a saint and a saint as a criminal. The media is very strong but the advancement of media should be used for the betterment of the people. Media plays a vital role when it comes to development. They should play a leading role when developing the morals of the society and social ethics. But this does not happen today.

Today, there is less media contribution in uplifting morals and ethics. We cannot be happy about the behaviour of the media. Media should decide whether they give the public a good taste or a bad taste. Today the government owns only a few media outlets. The rest are private media institutions. Today, private media institutes have become more popular than state owned media institutes due to the vulgar and inaccurate content. Media should act more responsibly than this. They need to criticize but it should be constructive criticism. Journalists should be more educated than this. They should have a good knowledge on the topics they handle.

Q: Any message for the public?

A: The public should be careful when making decisions. There are no governments in the world which are 100 percent successful. Therefore, the public should take a wise decision after carefully going through the current socio- political developments. The current position of Sri Lanka is extremely satisfactory when comparing with other powerful countries which were destroyed by the world economic crisis and various natural disasters. People have difficulties and the government understands them. But unfortunately, a small country like us cannot control the world economy or live alone without dealing with the rest of the world. We cannot avoid international pressure on us. Today, all problems are given priority with the absence of war. People need to think wisely before making decisions.