“The President and I remain as close friends” - Hettiarachchi

Former Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiaratchchi, who was recently removed from his portfolio, in an interview with our sister newspaper Sunday Lankadeepa discussed about the removal, on criticism over his actions and responsibilities associated with his new post .

Excerpts:  

• Removal was not a result of a dispute
• President may have thought that I could serve in a different capacity
• Expressing views doesn’t amount to raising objections
• Tender allocation is a massive process dealt with careful deliberation
• Can answer any commission or the CID regarding tenders
• There was a vast difference between the tenure of Gotabhaya and mine
• Strengthening relations with Germany is vital
• Dedicated towards being a successful ambassador

Q What was the reason for you to have been relieved of the post of Defence Secretary, given to you by your bosom friend, President Maithripala Sirisena?   
This wasn’t the result of any dispute. I experienced some health problems in the recent past. I underwent a by-pass surgery and after that the President requested me to take some rest. I have recovered now. I served for more than two years in this post. The President may have thought that I could serve in a different capacity, and appointed me as an ambassador. In my place, he has appointed a new Defence Secretary. I have no issues. It’s simply a change of chairs. I have been appointed as the Ambassador to Germany, which I gladly accepted. I will continue to serve the country in whatever position I am assigned to.   

I don’t know much about politics and only know of administration. There can be times when our administrative decisions would come in conflict with political factors. In such situations matters should be discussed and decisions should be arrived at

Q Is it true that you lost your last post due to misunderstandings you had with the President over some recent incidents?   

When we work in any place there tends to be omissions. We aren’t perfect people. Problems arise when we work. There can be differences, which may lead to the President inquiring into them and resolving these issues. It’s not a dispute that led to a confrontation. When your Editor inquires about your work and gives instructions, does that give rise to a conflict? Such differences take place and as the President he has to give me instructions. I don’t know much about politics and only know of administration. There can be times when our administrative decisions would come in conflict with political factors. In such situations matters should be discussed and decisions should be arrived at. The things that happened didn’t warrant my removal from this post. We  still remain as very close friends.   

Q Were there any issues when you worked with the State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene?   
No, he is a very good gentleman. He respectfully discharges his duties as a Minister. As a youth he has a very bright future. He is of my son’s age and therefore we worked together in a cordial manner. There was no occasion where there were issues.   

Q You say that there were no issues. How come the post you held as Defence Secretary was withdrawn within two years?  
Anyone, including the media, can say anything. But the truth is that the president has appointed me as an ambassador, which is also a very responsible position. A new person has been appointed as the Defence Secretary. There’s no issue. Those who have nothing else to do, keep fabricating stories. The only thing is that I wasn’t informed that somebody else was appointed in my place, while I held the post. I have nothing against the President for doing this without notifying me. We have to respect his decisions. I don’t intend to demand reasons as to why another was appointed, when I held that position. I don’t wish to demand reasons for my removal. I’m not hell-bent on finding answers for these as I now hold a new post and new responsibilities and must devote my attention to them.   

Q You were against the decision to acquire a warship made in Russia. Didn’t that pose a problem for you?   
That wasn’t an objection. Before buying that ship the Navy reviews and presents an analysis. A technology committee oversees it. It’s not like buying a toy from a shop. Arguments are bound to take place over such deals. We discussed about reducing the cost, but we weren’t successful. A certain procedure is followed during such matters. The Navy Commander might express different ideas. Expressing our views doesn’t amount to raising objections. We wanted to do something beneficial for the country.   

Q Is it true that people are leveling allegations against this ship deal?   
To my knowledge there is nothing of that sort. Some people are spreading gossip that my removal was connected with this issue regarding the ship. They’re all canards.   

I have nothing against the President for doing this without notifying me. We have to respect his decisions. I don’t intend to demand reasons as to why another was appointed, when I held that position. I don’t wish to demand reasons for my removal

Q There were some conflicts regarding defence ministry tenders, especially the tenders that dealt with the supply of food to the tri forces.   
Usually, the work connected to the calling of tenders dealing with the food supply to the army begins in April-May annually. Several rounds of discussions are held and it’s not a simple matter like purchasing a rice packet from a hotel. The supply of food for the three forces amounts to about Rs 17 billion. Many come forward to place tenders. When someone doesn’t get the tender, such parties spread various stories against the tender allocation. The fixing of prices is done following a massive process and it’s not a simple deal. One can write a thesis for a PHD on this matter. It’s a massive operation and it’s easy for parties who didn’t get the tender to criticize.   

Q How does your institution get involved in this matter?   
A female accountant is involved in the procurement activities. The final accounting of the ministry ends there. Matters relating to tenders too end there. She is the one who directs all these matters and I have had no issues with regard to the manner in which she has acted. Just because she and I share the same surname, she isn’t a relative of mine. There are so many who share the same surname. She too has received transfer orders and will be taking up a post at the Public Administration Ministry.

Many in the cabinet as well as in the Parliament are well known to me and friendly with me. I have helped many at official level. There can’t be any criticism regarding me. I have never come across anyone speaking ill of me at the Cabinet level   

Q There is a talk that there were incidents of fraud and corruption at the Water Resources Board where you served earlier.  
This is also another make-believe story. There are many who spread such false stories. Procurement at the Water Resources Board had been ongoing even before I took over and it still continues. The tender procedure of the board can’t be done according to the chairman’s wishes. There are several committees who arrive at decisions. There are no chairmen in tender boards. But decisions are taken by ministry secretaries. We weren’t there. The chairman of the Water Resources Board is present only at the tender board of the procurement committee. This committee is responsible for low tenders below 200 million. No individual decisions are taken. It’s always the committee which takes decisions. I was recently summoned by a presidential commission to give evidence on an incident at the Water Resources Board. We have had no involvements in these matters. If someone says that the chairman had committed frauds or corruption, it is a big joke. We can answer any commission or the CID regarding these tenders. Tender procedures are implemented only after cabinet approval.   

Q What was the response of the cabinet about your duties as the Secretary of Defence?   
I don’t think anyone had any issues regarding this matter. Many in the cabinet as well as in the Parliament are well known to me and friendly with me. I have helped many at official level. There can’t be any criticism regarding me. I have never come across anyone speaking ill of me at the Cabinet level.   

Q Some opine that the manner in which you worked was too simple in comparison to how Gotabhaya Rajapakse, your predecessor, performed his duties.  
Many say that the Defense Secretary should be more strict. I don’t agree with that. I don’t consider it important to assess how Gotabhaya Rajapakse acted. I don’t want to delve into such matters. There was a vast difference between the tenure of Gotabhaya and mine. He was there during a war. But it wasn’t so during my time. I was entrusted with the establishment of peace and reconciliation. There was a vast difference during these two times and our duties and actions can’t be compared.   

Many say that the Defense Secretary should be more strict. I don’t agree with that. I don’t consider it important to assess how Gotabhaya Rajapakse acted. I don’t want to delve into such matters. There was a vast difference between the tenure of Gotabhaya and mine.

Q How capable are you of performing duties of a Diplomat having been in the administrative services?   
It’s a highly responsible task. I am now studying the subject area. I can dedicate myself to the task at hand with the experience I have gained being in the public service. Germany is a powerful country, so strengthening our relations with that country is vital. There are several sectors which may be useful to us. Sri Lanka can undertake a large amount of trading activities in its dealings with Germany. There are many things that we can share in future dealings between the two countries. I am dedicated towards being a successful ambassador in this field, where I am a novice.