A combined opposition can counter the might of the regime

---

With the campaigns for three Provincial Council elections heating up and the government busily getting ready for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the Daily Mirror spoke to main opposition, the United National Party to clarify its stance on various issues especially the recent meeting with UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay, elections and intra-party violence, problems faced by the country’s economy and the possibility of a common opposition candidate for next Presidential Election. Economic expert and UNP’s former Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya shared his views and made complaints against some of the burning issues.

Q:           As the main opposition how do you see the visit of UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay to Sri Lanka and what were the main issues that were discussed when the members of the UNP met her?
We concentrated mainly on good governance, democracy and the rule of law. Sri Lanka is a member of the United Nations. Whether we like it or not if the UN decides to send an officer to Sri Lanka there is no need to resist but to face the facts. Since 2009 there have been various allegations made against the Sri Lankan government. And we always maintained that the government should ensure that these allegations are handled in a proper manner. That was the reason why we said when the Darusman Report was released that the best option would be to have an internal investigation rather than allow external forces to investigate. The appointment of the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission was a step in the right direction. The members of the Commission were men of repute and acceptable even to the international community. Therefore, any recommendation coming from the LLRC should have been looked at seriously.

"We are firmly of the view that the 18th Amendment was a severe blow to democracy and with its introduction we witnessed a decline in the public service and the police service with  political interference becoming rampant. Wrong appointments were made, wrong promotions were given and therefore the quality of these services dec-
lined"

In our discussion with Ms. Pillay we stressed on the 17th Amendment which ensured de-politicisation of the administration. With the 1972 Constitution we saw the end of the independence of the public service and the police. With the notorious Wayamba Provincial Council election held in 1999, there was agitation coming from all spheres including religious leaders over de-politicisation of society. The birth of the 17th Amendment was a result of this agitation from civil society. Although it took some time for implementation, the introduction of the 17th amendment in 2001 saw a marked changed in the entire operation of the government machinery. We witnessed the public service and the police in particular becoming more independent. Interference with the judiciary was minimised. Right people were appointed to the right places. Here, I must mention that 2005 election was described as one of the cleanest elections held in Sri Lanka by the former Election Commissioner. However with the incumbent President assuming office in 2005 we saw the end of the 17th Amendment. From the very beginning the President was not in favour of the 17th amendment. Going on the basis that it curtailed the powers of the Executive. I will be failing in my duty if I not pay tribute to the JVP for supporting the Amendment and President Kumaratunge for agreeing to some curtailment of the Executive power.

Q:     How did you describe the 18th Amendment to Ms. Pillay?
We are firmly of the view that the 18th Amendment was a severe blow to democracy and with its introduction we witnessed a decline in the public service and the police service with  political interference becoming rampant. Wrong appointments were made, wrong promotions were given and therefore the quality of these services declined. We have witnessed in the recent past how Deputy Inspectors General were involved in kidnapping and murder and a judicial officer was arrested for allegedly accepting bribery. We, as a political party believe that a substantial part of good governance issues can be sorted out with the implementation of the 17th Amendment. That is why we didn’t stress any other point with Ms. Navy Pillay. It is not something new since the LLRC report openly commented about its importance. An Independent Elections Commission was ensured through the 17th Amendment.

"But we are particular concerned about the misuse of state resources, government helicopters, vehicles, government officers and some of the government funding which is distributed in the form of various programmes. We are also sad that the government buildings including the President House are being used for political propaganda. This is a bad example"

We also took up the issue of the interference with the Judiciary which in our opinion was a black mark to the country and stressed on the right to information law which is now effective in over 100 democratic countries. So overall, as a responsible opposition we acted in a responsible manner. And we have been frank in what we discussed and we announce to the country. There was nothing to hide. We are firmly on the view that implementation of the 17th Amendment even at this stage would bring respect and recognition to the present regime and even the lost GSP plus concession which is reported to be around US $ 5 billion would also be restored.

Q:     What is your view on the main issues that the High Commissioner is raising and will bring up at the UN  Human Rights Council session on Friday?
We don’t know the details of the discussion she held with other dignitaries including the President, the Defence Secretary, other party leaders and civil society leaders. But as a country, I always believe we don’t have to hide anything if we act democratically and transparently.   

Q:     With another major crossover from the UNP to the government, how is the UNP faring in its campaign at the elections to the North Western and Central Provincial Councils?
As a political party I find that the UNP is actively campaigning. I have been assigned to supervise four electorates and I am handling the task assigned to me. We have always been agitating for free and fair elections ever since the introduction of the 18th Amendment. By free and fair we don’t mean only about the absence of violence. But we are particular concerned about the misuse of state resources, government helicopters, vehicles, government officers and some of the government funding which is distributed in the form of various programmes. We are also sad that the government buildings including the President House are being used for political propaganda. This is a bad example. We stress the importance of Sri Lanka acting in a responsible manner in the period ahead as we assume the Presidency of the Commonwealth countries, and the head of our state becoming the leader of this international forum. So we should be able to command the respect of our members by setting an example in  democracy and good governance.

Q:     Are we on a wrong track in the way of conducting election campaigns as we see there is so much intra-party rivalry violence?
Intra-party rivalry has actually become a joke. Politicians with immense amount of money and power are fighting among themselves for supremacy splashing millions of rupees to win a seat in the provincial council.

"We are not against development projects, but when people’s money is wasted on such projects carried out without proper feasibility studies, it is indeed a crime. Our criticism is that the Hambantota port,  Mattala airport and Mihin Air have been implemented in an ad hoc manner. Even this upcoming CHOGM will squander people’s money."

Q:     With speculation about a Presidential Election next year do you think the UNP should work towards fielding a
common candidate?
All I can say is that the next Presidential Election will be decisive for the country and to face such election against the government’s might and resources, the entire opposition must join hands. And the theme of the election should be for the abolition of the Executive Presidency which is now being seen as a root cause for all evil which adversely affect democracy and the rule of law.

Q:     Has the main opposition UNP got a strategy to bring all the opposition parties together?
I think eventually all the political parties must understand the importance of unity. The Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Thera’s National Movement for Social Justice has come out with very valid proposals for restoration of democracy within 120 days. The UNP too has come out with proposals for far reaching democratic reforms even extending to the Provincial Councils. So in my view, for the next Presidential Election, all opposition parties and civil society groups must work together to restore democracy for the benifit of the future generations.

"We stress the importance of Sri Lanka acting in a responsible manner in the period ahead as we assume the Presidency of the Commonwealth countries, and the head of our state becoming the leader of this international forum. So we should be able to command the respect of our members by setting an example in  democracy and good governance"

Q:     Some reports say the Ven. Maduluwawe Sobitha Nayaka Thera could come forward as a common candidate? Do you think the UNP should support such a move?
As far as I know there’s no decision as to who should be the common candidate. But I think as this important day gets near, we should be able to find someone out of the 20 million people in the country who is trustworthy and honourale to carry out the assigned task.

Q:     What is your view of the general economic situation in the country? Central Bank figures show the budget deficit up to June 2013 has increased to more than Rs. 300 billion. As an economist do you think the economy is being mishandled and is on the wrong track?
The country’s economy has been mishandled. Our trade deficit is becoming wider. Instead of laying the emphasis on export development, we have been concentrating heavily on imports. This has resulted in the huge deficit. The government is now clamping down on car imports through various taxes. All the developed countries in the world focus on strengthening the export sector. But unfortunately, in Sri Lanka the export sector is not taken seriously enough. All economic advisers request highest priority for this area. We are a nation that spends its entire income to pay back loans and interests. Then we borrow heavily at exorbitant interest rates. Meanwhile colossal amounts of money are spent on fancy projects. We are not against development projects, but when people’s money is wasted on such projects carried out without proper feasibility studies, it is indeed a crime. Our criticism is that the Hambantota port,  Mattala airport and Mihin Air have been implemented in an ad hoc manner. Even this upcoming CHOGM will squander people’s money. We have to be financially sound to hold such international summit meetings. The Sri Lankan rupee appears to be grossly over valued when you compare it with recent monetary adjustment in India. This is not a healthy sign for the economy of the country.
Picture by Waruna Wanniarachchi