N-E development impressive - CPA Secretary - General

Rasika Somarathna and Sandasen Marasinghe

The current Secretary - General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) is Dr William F Shija.

He is a former minister and Member of Parliament in Tanzania. He assumed office of CPA Secretary - General on January 1, 2007. Dr Shija has long been associated with the CPA in his capacity as an MP and as chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Tanzanian Parliament.

He was a former Member, National Assembly of Tanzania, Minister of Industry and Trade, Energy and Minerals, of Information and Broadcasting, of Science, Technology and Higher Education.

He also served as chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, Tanzania National Assembly(1999-2005); Member and chairman, Committee on Education, Culture, Tourism and Human Resources, Pan African Parliament (2004-2005).

He authoured numerous academic, government and parliamentary policy papers in political economic, education, communications and development issues. Dr Shija who is currently in Colombo to participate in the ongoing 58th CPA annual conference took time off from his busy schedule to talk to the Daily News on a variety of issues, including the conference, its arrangements and about Sri Lanka and its post-conflict development.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: How did the CPA choose Sri Lanka to host its annual conference for 2012?

The CPA runs annual conferences every year. But we depend on a branch to host the conference. This time around Sri Lanka had volunteered to host the 2012 conference two years ago. Many members really appreciated this offer. I, personally as the Secretary – General, appreciated it very much. Because, when a branch comes forward to host the conference, we know it is contributing to the promotion of the ideals of democracy and to the activities of the Association itself.

Q: Are you satisfied with the arrangements by the organisers and what are your views on the proceedings so far.

We are very satisfied. The arrangements have been excellent. I recall that at the airport there were a group of traditional drummers which really was a pleasant surprise to me and my delegation. We were ushered in to Sri Lankan traditions and culture from the airport itself. But more than that, the staff received us very well from the Speaker to the Secretary General of Parliament and various staff from Sri Lanka. The facilities for the meetings too have been excellent.

The conference started successfully. We usually count on the first meetings conducted. In this case, it was the steering committee of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians. Until we reached the point of opening of the small branches conference, things were running very smoothly. And then together with that we had the Executive Committee meeting. All this has gone on very well and effectively.

Q: What are the aims of this conference?

The main goal is the promotion of Parliamentary democracy in the Commonwealth and if possible beyond. In doing that there has to be some activities. So this year, we have chosen the theme in line with ensuring that the Commonwealth grows in the future.

In this case the focus was on how to make Commonwealth relevant for young people and future generations. You can only do that by trying to promote peace, development and cooperation. So, through this theme, we are now going to have a number of workshops which the members are going to join in on various subjects. But, the whole purpose is to promote the usefulness of democratic practices. That practice produces peace and then peace produces development.

That is why we bring together members from various backgrounds and countries. All these bring in their experiences to exchange and how to promote peace and development. For Sri Lanka this is relevant. For them this is not only new people coming to engage with, but also an opportunity to promote the country like in the field of tourism. We will be ambassadors promoting Sri Lanka and that I think is very important for the country.

Q: Sri Lanka went through a very damaging conflict due to terrorism for 30 years. A few years back, the country was not in a position to organise events of this magnitude on its home soil. Your views?

We congratulate the people of Sri Lanka for having overcome terrorism. We commend the leadership here for overcoming this problem of violence and conflict. And when the war ended which was really a very serious war, we thought that now the country has started the process of development properly. Before that the country could not do it because the government was busy putting all its resources to overcome terror.

We pray that the country would add on to this achievement, so that Sri Lanka could have a stable system which produces development for everyone. In this process, the government and various political parties need to have the quality of accommodation. Parties need to accommodate each other, tolerate each other. Tolerance and accommodation produce a stable society. And this is what we think will happen in Sri Lanka. All should be open to dialogue, discussion and compromise. That is the best way to achieve peace and work towards cooperation and development.

Q: Besides excursions to some parts, organisers also made arrangements to visit other parts of the island, if the delegates wish to do so. Are you planning to visit other parts of the country?

I have already visited some areas including the North and East and I witnessed for myself what is happening in these areas. The rapid development including progress being made in infrastructure is very impressive. I wish to visit some other areas as well during my stay.

Q: How do you view the new developments in the country since the conflict ended. What are the views of the international community in this regard?

We are here as eye witnesses to what is going on in Sri Lanka. So no one in future will tell us something different, unless some changes come. As for now, we are witnesses to what is happening on the ground. We will now be able to tell the story that Sri Lankans are busy with development, busy with work, and busy with cooperation. As ambassadors we will tell the truth, the real story. We don’t need people who tell wrong stories. We need people who tell the right stories. I will be one of the ambassadors to tell the right story.