Separatism, an old and expired theory - Minister Yapa

The policies the UPFA adopted before and after the end of the conflict, the massive development that has taken place in the country, the personality of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his policies are the key points for the victory recorded by the UPFA at the recent Provincial Council election, said Environment Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa in an interview with the Daily News.

Excerpts of the interview:

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

A: The policies we adopted before and after the end of the conflict,the massive development that has taken place in the country, the personality of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and his policies are the key points for the victory recorded by the UPFA during the recent Provincial Council (PC) election. Except for Sabaragamuwa and the North Central Provinces, all the political parties,except the UPFA, played the ethnic card for the Eastern Provincial Council. The TNA spoke the same old rhetoric they spoke for decades ago. Unfortunately, the other political parties did the same thing in their own way.

But the government did the opposite. We spoke about the importance of having a national identity (a Sri Lankan identity). All groups belong to different ethnicities (while preserving their own identities and cultures) were directed towards thinking in a broader sense. All communities must live together in peace and harmony to achieve greater economic development for the country and this is our theme.

Q: Please comment on the response received by the Opposition during the recent Provincial Council election.

A: The Opposition is still living in the pre-seventy era. The Opposition has no future plans at all. They just want to enlarge their vote base. For that they always say various things to the people in order to please them. In that way I feel very sorry for the Opposition.

There is no correct moves from them with regard to the future of the country. Though they obtained a certain percentage of votes, the majority of the people in the Eastern Province have realized the importance of our (UPFA's) message and that's why the UPFA won most of the areas in the PC. As a result, the UPFA got the largest number of elected members for the Eastern PC. We formed the PC in the East.

Q: Communal issues are harmful to the smooth functioning of democracy. Should not the government ban racial, religious and linguistic issues being highlighted at elections in the larger interest of racial amity?

A: When a country faced a situation like what we faced during the last 30 years, using communal issues becomes normal and in a democratic society, various voices come from various parties. But the government always did the opposite, especially during the recent PC election. We spoke about the importance of having a national identity, a Sri Lankan identity. All groups belong to all ethnicities (while preserving their identities and cultures) were directed towards thinking in a broader view. All communities must live together in peace and harmony to achieve greater economic development for the country and this is the theme of the UPFA government.

Q: There is unrest among various sectors of society, including students and university Dons. Do you see a hidden political agenda behind these efforts?

A: The government does not want to suppress any voice. Instead of suppressing, the government talks with all. It is the same with the university Dons' issue. I think this is the only government which is always willing to talk, discuss matters and find solutions, when it comes to these types of issues. The government is always ready to listen to people and to come to a consensus.

Discussions were held with university Dons and the majority of them are willing to go back to work. But there can be hidden motives for some. That does not mean that the government is very much concerned about, but, we are open and not selective. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa and others held lengthy discussions and hope to find a solution to this issue soon.

Q: Separatism is still very much active outside Sri Lanka. Recent incidents in Tamil Nadu are just one example. Please comment.

A: Separatism is something that has affected us for many years. This has created a very big impact on society. We have seen the emergence of ruthless terrorists, the LTTE. They terrorized their own people. They killed them, abused them and recruited their children into their fighting outfits as child soldiers. They introduced suicide bombers (human bombs) to the world and had an excellent global network of funding. But ultimately,the Sri Lankan Security Forces defeated the LTTE terrorists. Therefore, I do not think that even their own people are talking about separatism now. But still we can hear about LTTE terrorist sympathisers making noises from abroad. LTTE sympathizers are still agitating.

They are doing everything possible to propagate their ideas among the people living here. They also propagate the idea to the International community.

My thinking is that separatism is a very old and outdated theory and difficult position to work on. It is because, in the present context, separatism has no place in the country. This is a small country and how can we separate it? Ultimately, what does someone achieve by separation? Therefore, the government totally rejects it.

This is a theory that is dying down in other parts of the world. This is not widely discussed now. But the Sri Lankan government is always ready to discuss and that's why President Rajapaksa displayed his sincerity by saying that he is prepared to accept any collective decision taken by the Parliament Select Committee (PSC). But unfortunately the TNA and other political parties are still waiting. I think that in a situation like this, the proposal made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the best because in a PSC, the respective political parties can have their own opinion and come to some terms.

The President has already stated that if they come to an agreement, he will accept it. We held the Eastern PC election in a very democratic way. Last time it was a Tamil Chief Minister and this time it is a Muslim Chief Minister. The TNA has also contested and won some seats.

I think the PC system is a very good answer for many questions. The government has already promised to hold the Northern PC election. Pradeshiya Sabha elections will also be held very soon. This means that we uphold the democratic system active in Sri Lanka for the last 50 years or more. This long standing democratic practice of holding elections to appoint persons for positions in different power bases will prove that it is better than using guns to capture power.

Q: What is the progress made by your ministry in connection with Sri Lanka's journey towards becoming the Wonder of Asia under Mahinda Chinthanaya - Vision for the Future?

A: My ministry is involved in protecting the country's environment and the focal point for many environment protection conventions agreed upon by the United Nations. We are a key party to all the negotiations that are going on regarding climate change, biodiversity, etc. My ministry's work is becoming important day by day and even for a small thing, they look at us and sometimes criticize us and sometimes say even good things. We are doing whatever possible to protect the environment. We have sound environment protection laws and society has a sound knowledge on the same. In that way, our country has moved forward when in comparison with other countries. We have protected a lot of species, plants forests etc, as much as we can, and we are doing a good service. All schoolchildren have been educated and organised. We have done everything possible to meet what is mentioned in the Mahinda Chinthanaya - Vision for the Future in connection with protecting environment and creating wonderful and happy society in the country.

Q: How far has Sri Lanka gone when it comes to international obligations and protocols in connection with protecting the environment?

A: Actually, we have signed a number of International Protocols. One of them is the Montreal Protocol. It is about protecting the Ozone Layer. We have done a tremendous load of work in connection with this.

The international bodies are very happy about the performances of Sri Lanka. Other International Protocols also keeping pace with development with the other countries, especially in SAARC and ASEAN countries. When it comes to climate change issues, the world is still not ready. Developed and industrialized countries come up with various excuses not to implement International Protocols.

Unfortunately, the Kyoto Protocol obligations have not been fulfilled. Sri Lanka is a small country and we are one of the few countries with very small carbon emission. Ours is not significant at all when compared with big, developed and developing countries. We have done what we can to protect the environment and to meet our obligations. We are trying our best, but, as a small country we cannot do much. International acceptance is important.

At every international forum and conference, we have firmly stated that all the damage have been caused by industrialized countries during the last century.

They are the polluters and not us. We told them that it is their duty to reduce emissions and help developing countries by providing technical assistance and funding for environment preserving projects. It is only in this manner, can the world progress.

Although sometimes we are blamed for what we are not responsible for, ours is a transparent and well managed ministry. I expect to make this ministry, one of the most important ministries in this country.

Ordinary people and the government has already understood the importance of my ministry. I am very fortunate to hold this ministerial position. This is a great opportunity given to me by my President and I am always thankful to him for showing me another path of success.