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The Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP) leader, Minister Dinesh Gunawardane, in an interview with the Dailymirror, stressed the need to introduce new constitutional reforms that ensure more powers to Parliament in governance.  Mr. Gunawardane, the Minister of Water Supply and Drainage who is also the Chief Government Whip of Parliament says the present Parliament does not have enough power to participate in governance. He blames it on the introduction of the Executive Presidency.  Excerpts of the interview:

Q As a minister who has been with this government for the last two terms what are the new challenges confronting this government?

When an economy grows, new areas of challenge emerge.  Foreign interference always created problems.   It is important to iron out the disparities in the distribution of wealth.  We should not allow the widening of the gap between the haves and have-nots.
We feel that electoral reforms are urgently needed in our country. We have taken a step forward   by introducing a mix of a proportional representation system and a ‘First Past the Post’ system for local authority elections.  

"The privatisation of medical education will not only result in a drop in the quality of health service.  We should not allow education to be made a lucrative business"

It is important to strengthen the parliamentary system in which various committees enjoy more powers.  The parliamentary role should be strengthened.   It should be able to monitor investments and other forms of economic activity. Besides, Sri Lanka should pay serious attention to the conservation of the environment.  Economic growth should not be achieved at the detriment of the environment. Our most precious natural resources are forest covers and water sources. Many people are involved in farming, so, environmental protection should be given priority.

Q Do you suggest that disparities in the distribution of wealth have widened with economic growth?

There are certain areas where low- income groups need special attention. It has to be done in growing  economies.  According to UN reports, we have lifted one million people out of poverty through the Samurdhi scheme. Still, we have eight to ten percent of the population living below the poverty line. That problem should be addressed.  

Q There is a common perception that although the government has invested heavily in infrastructure projects, people’s incomes have not improved. How do you respond to this matter?

We need heavy investments for the economy to grow. Investments open more income generating opportunities for people in the end.   In Sri Lanka, tourism is growing; we do not have regular power cuts; we have doubled pipe borne water supplies to households and the road network has been developed.  The government has restored the infrastructure damaged in the war.
Certainly, attention is needed to invest in revenue generating activities.

Q Apart from being a minister, you are also the leader of the Mahajana Eksath Peramuna (MEP). Do you have any suggestions for the prioritisation of its work?

We have a huge issue regarding  youth in need of employment. Around 200,000 sit for the G.C.E. Ordinary Level Examination on an annual basis. A similar number also sits for the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination.  There are dropouts from these exams and we need to look after their future.  The government should explore new avenues to ensure a better future for those who either pass or fail at these exams. We, as a party, propose to give vocational training as a mandatory requirement for all seeking employment.  Our systems of education do not provide the youth adequate opportunities  to gain entrepreneurial skills. We have to develop small and medium scale enterprises.  

"We are for constitutional reforms that include the reviewing of the present parliamentary system and strengthening parliamentary committees. Parliament must also have more control over budgetary affairs"

We also need clear cut policies to save our valuable foreign exchange earnings by our expatriate workers.  Our oil import bill is almost equal to the total amount of foreign exchange remitted by our expatriate workers. We have been pressing the government for a proper transport policy. Today, the railway sector is sleeping. It runs only for a few hours.  We have invested heavily in laying and developing tracks. If there is a proper and regular rail service, it can reduce the strain on our roads by the reduction of the number of vehicles using them.  These policies should be given serious thought.
The MEP has also proposed to regulate the use of agro- chemicals that has already taken a heavy toll on people’s lives, the environment and the economy.  Sri Lanka has today become a dumping yard for agro-chemicals produced elsewhere in the world.  We need to have a strict a regulatory system to prevent the influx of chemicals detrimental to agriculture in the country.

Q The MEP Youth W ing once raised concerns about shortcomings in the Grade I admission policy and the privatisation of free education. How serious are you about these issues?

We have made proposals in various sub committees that free education should be protected.  Sri Lanka is known all over the world for its free education system. We have to provide free education to all, not for a selected lot. It is the responsibility of the government to safeguard this right of individuals.  Of course, there was agitation by our youth wing that all children should be admitted to schools conveniently located [close to their homes]. There are unnecessary methods to eliminate Grade I admissions. The authorities leave out children even from the immediate neighbourhood or those belonging to the second generation of past pupils.  

"Education should be kept with the central government so that it can be guided and regulated properly"

Today, only around 400 schools fall under the direct purview of the Education Ministry.  The rest come under provincial councils.  Our stand is that education is a subject that should be kept with the central government so that it can be guided and regulated properly. There are haphazard developments in the education sector because of the present situation.  Teacher training should be developed. There is no criteria to regulate syllabuses.   In some cases, syllabuses vary according to the nature of schools.   We do not have a system to train English teachers. The education system has to be revamped in conformity with the latest developments.

Q You were also opposed to the introduction of private universities. Are you still carrying out that struggle?   

The MEP is against the privatisation of free education. We opposed the establishment of a private medical college in Malabe.  The privatisation of medical education will not only result in a drop in the quality of health service but it also will make way for the erosion of a free healthcare service.  
In medical education, we have maintained high standards. We should not compromise that position to suit the interests of a few.  We should not allow education to be made a lucrative business. In fact our education systems were introduced by philanthropists.  

Q Have you engaged the government in this regard?

Yes, we have. Also, we adopted a resolution in this regard at our convention. We have passed resolutions covering various aspects of youth policy, education, the Buddha Sasana, expatriate workers and constitutional reforms

Q What are the constitutional reforms you proposed?     

The whole system of governance has been derailed because of loopholes in our    election system.  This system makes way for waste and corruption. Only a few can   survive in this system. The voter has no proper relationship with his elected representative. We have pressed for an overhaul change in this system.  We have proposed to strengthen the committee
system in Parliament so that MPs can act on national policies and make their contribution to overall growth.  
We are proposing  the  district system as the unit of devolution instead of the provincial council system. Even today, our development work is channelled through district levels. Also, local authorities should be given more powers.  The provincial council system should be revised. It should not exist in its present form. If there is any concern from minority communities, we have to look into them. But, we propose the district system.

Q You opposed electoral reforms. There is a lot of talk about the need for the abolition of the Executive Presidency. What is the present stand of the MEP in this regard?

I have known the opposition when they were in power for 17 years. They introduced this draconian system. Therefore, the opposition’s agitation against the Executive Presidency is not taken seriously by the people. We are
for constitutional reforms that include the reviewing of the present system and strengthening powers of the parliament and its committees. Parliament must also have more control over budgetary affairs.

Q Do you, as the Chief Government Whip, see that Parliament needs more powers?

Yes, Parliament needs more powers.   Elected representatives   must be given opportunities to participate in decision making more and more.

Q  Do you mean that the parliamentary powers has been infringed upon by the Executive?

It has been there right throughout under the present system introduced in 1978.    Since that day, the parliamentary system has been collapsing. All those who practised this system should be held answerable to it.  They practised it in an inappropriate way.  I remember how the general elections were postponed using constitutional reforms. We stand for certain principles although we are part of the government.  

Q How happy are you with the amount of legislative work being performed by Parliament?   

Parliament can do more; but in what manner?
It can act properly only if there is a strong committee system.
The Donoughmore Constitution, introduced in the 1931/35 period, created the most influential legislature at that time.  Under that system, all members were able to participate in governance. Our labour laws and educational laws introduced accordingly.  We should think of strengthening the committee system. C.W.W. Kannangara dubbed as the father of free education, was active in the committee system at that time and introduced education policy.  Today, we have only the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Q What do you think of the powers of COPE and PAC in taking follow up action on their findings?

COPE and PAC have no such powers [to take follow-up action]. They only produce reports. In today’s world, even the Auditor General’s office has to be strengthened. Our financial and administrative regulations need to be revised.

Q Today, what do you think of the role played by MPs across the political divide in Parliament?

I think MPs should play a much bigger role, especially backbenchers. Ministers, of course, have a dual role–attending Parliament and carrying out their ministerial duties. But, MPs too have a role to play. But they can do so only if there is a committee system. Otherwise, they can only speak in the House as it happens today.