23 December 2014 05:45 am Views - 4290
QYour name has been linked with the list of possible defectors from the Government to the Opposition. Was there such a plan? Is there some truth in these claims?
What can I do? (Laughs) There is absolutely no truth in these claims and I don’t know where they get this information from. As far as I am concerned I am quite fit and have no intention of leaving.
QThose who crossed over have voiced concern over several issues within the SLFP including family bandism and lack of opportunity for those who are not Rajapaksa henchmen, to move forward?
These are allegations made by those who left the Government. When they were members of the government, I did not hear these complaints.
QWhat about the allegation regarding shortage of funds for Ministries that are not headed by any of the Rajapaksas?
Even that statement has been by those who left the Cabinet. There is no such issue, not to my knowledge.
QHas anyone from within the Government approached you, voicing such concerns?
No, never.
Q As the Senior Minister of good governance/infrastructure – what duties does your position entail?
It’s a matter of co-ordination. Of course, without sticking to the letter of appointment, I have gone beyond it and I’m trying to establish a mechanism to bring about some discipline among the public sector employees, with the assistance of the ILO.
For example when they have a grievance, today the only option available is the Public Service Commission. They can’t go beyond that, whereas the private sector employees can even go up to Courts. I’m trying to establish another door for state sector officials so that they can solve their grievances through an acceptable process.
Today there are no strikes in the private sector - why? Because this mechanism was introduced to them about four years ago and when an issue arises, it is discussed among the workers and solved through this mechanism. But state sector officials are now used to resorting to various actions such as strikes without holding any discussions due to the lack of such a system. Even the trade unions are in favour of this movement. We established it in the Health Ministry as a pilot project since it has the second largest number of unions.
QGiven that today, people have lost faith in the Judiciary, do you think people would actually resort to taking legal action through this mechanism, if their grievances are not addressed through discussions?
The response received for the pilot project established in the Health Ministry has been very positive. So I think it would be a success. Our people are not irresponsible, they are quite responsible.
QClaims of the deterioration of good governance in the country – do you believe there is an actual crisis or are these simply Opposition slogans?
There is no crisis in that form. There may be grievances among various people, but that you can’t help. However, even they should be addressed. Unfortunately there is no mechanism to do that – that is my issue.
QSo you don’t believe there are issues concerning good governance in the country presently?
In the minds of some maybe. For example what do you mean by good governance? Different people will interpret it in different ways.
QAccording to your interpretation would you say there is an issue?
In my interpretation there is no good governance if law and order have been breached.
QBut there have clearly been cases where law and order have been broken down?
So it was alleged. I don’t think anybody has gone into that question in depth.
QWhat about the incidents such as the violence that erupted in Aluthgama?
Sporadic incidents can take place in a country where different communities live.
QBut some of these are not isolated incidents – they have been the outcome of the inaction against those who have continuously taken the law into their hands?
In a way, yes. Nobody should be allowed to take the law into their hands – I believe in that very strongly. If a group or an individual aids/acts in violation of the laws of this country, they have to be taken to task. If not, then there is something wrong somewhere.
QWhere has it gone wrong? Allegations have been made against the Government on sponsoring some of these unruly groups/individuals . . .
Various people may be behind these unlawful actions. They may be belonging to various political groups within the alliance – you can’t help it. But whoever does it must be brought to book.
QBut the issue presently is about justice not being delivered on the culprits. Case in point – assaults carried out by certain Ministers and their sons and their victims themselves later declaring they did it themselves?
So then how can you proceed further in such cases?
QBut aren’t these incidents reflections of the very fact that there is an issue with concern to law enforcement in the country?
I expect people to be honest. When a person has been assaulted and tied down to a tree and he says ‘nobody did that I did it to myself’, how can you go further? We can’t expect people to be silly. What happened needs to be legally examined; if there is no complaint nothing can be done. If the person has gone back on his word, what can you do?
QSo you are saying there is no issue with concern to law enforcement in the country?
According to the way some people think, there may be. I have different views on this matter. You can’t bring law and order when people are not co-operating.
QGovernment accuses all those who defected that their leaving is based on personal issues and their actions cannot be justified on such grounds. How do you view this situation?
I will not make statements to the effect that people have their own problems and because of those issues they defected. I don’t think so. Their issues must have been political problems. Moreover, in a democratic country, one must be given the right to leave and join whatever forces they want.
QDo you think the defections were a result of schemes drawn up by sinister foreign forces, as the government claims?
They may be, I don’t know. That is why various specialised agencies have been established by the Government to ascertain the truth of these matters. I don’t have access to them.
QSome Government Ministers who voted for the 18th Amendment have expressed regret over their actions. Do you hold such regrets?
The point is this – such a person is entitled to contest. Then it is up to the people to elect or throw him out. I don’t have any regrets because ultimately it is up to the people to decide.
QBut in situations such as the upcoming polls where one candidate is yet in power, the competition is not underway on fair grounds because of the scope for power as well as state resources/ funds to be exploited for the gain of those in power?
There are regulations that guide all these issues. I don’t know why they don’t adhere to those rules, the mechanism is in place but nobody is using it. There is something wrong somewhere.
QDon’t you think that situation has been further aggravated by the implementation of the 18th amendment?
Implementation of the 18th Amendment was the will of the Parliament – you can’t question it. If you do, where will you end? The members of the Parliament decided and implemented it but if they wish to revert it, they can do it even now.
QWhat are your comments on the issues that have emerged in Foreign Service appointments and the criticisms levelled against SL’s foreign policy?
These are grievances - if I may use that term - of various people. If they don’t like the present policies of the Government they can always reject the candidate. That is the democratic way of doing things.
My opinion on these issues doesn’t matter because after all, when the mechanism is in place, why aren’t the people using it?
QWhy do you think the people haven’t used it?
I don’t know. I haven’t studied or analysed that question.
QEx-President Chandrika Kumaratunga has re-entered the domestic political arena. How do you view this development?
She was entitled to do politics here and she has come back to politics. That’s how I view it.
QSome government members have accused her of controlling Mr. Sirisena’s campaign. Do you share the same view?
Even if she is actually controlling his campaign, she has the democratic right to do it and nobody should question it. The right to engage in politics the way you want has been granted under the Constitution.
QAre you satisfied with the state of affairs in the country presently?
There are shortcomings – there is no doubt about it.
QWhat would you say the shortcomings are?
The rising cost of living is a big problem and needs to be addressed. It’s a big issue in the villages because people have been unable to put food on the table. I cannot think of a bigger issue than when people are unable to survive with their income.
QWill it be possible to address this issue with an economy that is heavily reliant on borrowings?
When you draft a plan of development it is drawn up according to priorities, which is very essential. But if funds are borrowed to feed the people, it is very wrong. That would only ensure the end of that regime.
QSri Lanka’s increasing dependency on Chinese loans has been criticised for lack of a multi-player effect since local material nor local labour force are involved in the development projects. What are your comments?
That happens in any loan agreement. If it is to be avoided, funds should not be borrowed. Even if you borrow from the UK or some other country they would impose the same conditions. But I am not aware of instances where local labour has not been used.
QDo you think changes for the better can be expected in the future?
It is up to us to get together and solve our own problems if there are any. I don’t think leaving the problems to be solved by a selected few is the right course of action. We must all get together. Even in a family, if there is one troubled chap, he shouldn’t be deserted; everyone in the family must collaborate to tackle the issue.
QWould you say Maithripala Sirisena’s decision to defect can be justified?
I don’t want to comment on that.
QDo you have any plans to retire from politics in the coming year?
No, there is no such thing.
QAre you expecting a free and fair election?
We will have to expect it.