The SLFP thinks the National Unity Government is essential for the country for a few more years, so they could address the critical issues and later contest separately if so desired, said UNP General Secretary and Public Enterprise Development Minister Kabir Hashim. Whatever the cost, it is a worthwhile exercise, he said. In an interview with the Sunday Observer, the Minister said, as far as they are concerned, the National Unity Government will remain irrespective of who stays or who leaves. The Government will run till 2020 and alternative mechanisms will be put in place whenever necessary.
Excerpts:
Q. Are you satisfied with the development made by the National Unity Government during the last two years?
A. There are two things. One is that the National Unity Government was a sacrifice made by one and all. Especially, the UNP, after 20 years in the Opposition and obtaining majority seats in Parliament, and able to enlist the support of another six MPs or more to form a Government on their own, decided to sacrifice that opportunity for the greater good of the country.
So in that sense, both the President and the Prime Minister made a commitment to bring the two major parties together to tackle the burning national issues that had been dragging for years. In that short period, there were constitutional amendments to empower Parliament, the Right to Information Act, and the Independent Commissions set up under the 19th Amendment. They are unbelievable victories. The change in the international arena on the image of the country with a 360 degree turn couldn’t have been made if not for the efforts of the Government.
At the same time, in terms of benefits for the people, despite the arm chair critics in Colombo saying nothing has happened, we have done our best to ameliorate the livelihoods of the people. We have allocated, on a year on year basis rural roads worth Rs. 600 million per electorate. We brought down the prices of 48 essential drugs which has been a mafia for the last 30-40 years and reduced prices by 50 percent.
We are ready with a Bill to give land rights to people who don’t have any lands and also for those who live in state lands on free hold basis. We have targeted 500,000 houses and 440 Gam Udawa housing projects are being implemented. In every electorate, 500 families have been given a housing loan and other support. But there has been political issues as well. Those who shared collective decisions of the Cabinet, when it was a tough decision, criticised and disassociated themselves. It only sent out a wrong message that has nothing to do with the UNP. We have the courage to face reality. We believe, the National Unity Government is essential for the country for a few more years, to address critical issues and then contest separately if so desired. I think whatever the cost, it is a worthwhile exercise.
Q. What were the most crucial issues faced by the National Unity Government during the last two years?
A. I think there were three critical issues. One is that the international perception of Sri Lanka had to be changed because there was a UN resolution against us. During the tenure of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he has been quoted as saying he would be taken to the electric chair. So there was a paranoid of the international community. The Yahapalana Government faced the challenge and sorted it out within a few months. The then Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera did an excellent job. The second issue was the huge debt burden. The Rajapaksa Government went for early elections because they couldn’t repay the debt coming up in 2017, 2018 and 2019. So they went for early elections to get over that problem. We won the election and took over the debt crisis.
The Joint Opposition thought the Government would crumble with the debt burden, but we faced it and are turning things around. The third is the internal reconciliation in the country. The country has been wounded with the protracted war, and it’s a challenge to bring in unity among all communities. The Government has successfully worked on it and the new constitutional making process is in process.
Q. Most people are frustrated that the Government has failed to take action against corrupt elements of the previous regime although it was a promise of the Yahapalana Government. Your comments?
A. We do understand people’s frustration because they saw how Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka who had committed no crime, but a war hero, was taken into custody overnight without any charges and dragged like an animal and thrown into prison. Will the people like us to behave in the same manner? We are not willing to do a witch hunt and we do not wish to go above the law of the country.
Democracy is slow and takes time. Change will come in the long run. But I think it is better to let the law handle it and take its own course rather than political interference. We believe justice will be served. If you look at the international situation, Presidents and Prime Ministers in many countries have been charged even after five years, ten years. So it will take time.
Q.The Government has been faced with several corruption scandals including the Central Bank Bond Scam and the alleged transaction that led to the resignation of Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake. What is the progress with regard to these investigations and what are the steps taken to prevent such activities in the future?
A. We look at it as a positive step in that, former Minister Ravi Karunanayake was only a witness to an investigation. He was not even an accused. This is the first time in the history of South Asia that such a thing happened. Until the investigations are completed, he will be away from ministerial portfolios.
As far as the bond issue is concerned, independent investigations are going on without any interference. When did a Government in power allow this to happen? Three Ministers were removed by the Yahapalana Government.
I would like to throw the same challenge to other parties. In 2014, most of the party leaders admitted to corruption in their Governments. But have they ever asked any member to step down even from their party or politics? As the UNP, we are proud that we have taken these steps.
Q. One of the charges against the ousted Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe was that he may have intentionally delayed investigations into acts of corruption by the previous regime and also that he flouted collective responsibility of Cabinet. How does the UNP and the Government plan to move on from this incident?
A. As far as I am aware, as the UNP General Secretary, the charges levelled against him by the party was that he flouted collective responsibility which is against the Government and party policies.
That is why he had to be removed from his portfolio. Any other charges would have to be seen on how things happen in the future.
Q. Several SLFP Ministers have expressed their views against the Government and threaten to leave in a few months if certain corrective actions are not taken. How would it affect the continuation of the National Unity Government because both the President and the Prime Minister have promised that it will continue until 2020?
A. It is up to the SLFP to decide whether they want to stay or leave. It is beyond our control. As far as we are concerned, the National Unity Government will remain irrespective of who stays and who goes out. The Government will run till 2020 and alternate mechanisms will be put in place.
Q. The Joint Opposition has submitted a No Confidence Motion against Health Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne on various issues. With the JVP also reported to be supporting this motion, will it affect the Government?
A. This is a common occurrence in the last two weeks. Those who propose No Confidence motions should first look inward and bring a No Confidence on themselves for all what they did up to 2014. They raped the country of its wealth and committed crimes against the people.
They murdered the people who asked for water and murdered journalists. There was rampant corruption which led to massive losses in state owned enterprises.These guys had bank accounts all over the world. Now these same guys are trying to bring No Confidence motions against Ministers on trivial matters. This is a joke.
Q. Budget 2018 is due in a few months and some Opposition politicians are already talking about defeating the budget. Is there any possibility for this to happen?
A. Anything is possible in politics. But one thing is certain, it won’t be possible to defeat the budget. We will ensure that the budget will be passed because it will always be a beneficial budget to the people. So anybody who wants to defeat a budget beneficial to the people must be a political half-wit.
Q. The 20th Amendment to the Constitution which proposes holding all Provincial Council elections on a single day has got a mixed reception in PCs with some PCs voting for and others voting against. Will it have a bearing on the passing of this legislation?
A. It is a thorny issue. It was discussed by all parties that decided to have the PC elections on a single day, to which everybody agreed in principle. But as you know sometimes, people in this country do cheap politics. We hope sanity would prevail and the Bill will be passed to ensure a better system for the voters of the country.
Q. With both, PC and LG elections to be contested separately by the two main parties, will you use the results to decide whether the two parties should contest separately or under a coalition, at the 2020 elections?
A. I don’t think the two main parties will contest together. So far, we have decided to contest separately. But of course, like the 2015 General Elections, after we win the election, we might work together.
Q. The MoU signed by the two General Secretaries of the UNP and the SLFP ends in December this year. What would be the next step that you take?
A. The agreement is something we signed in trust and confidence and it is a fact that the UNP will protect it. We believe we made a sacrifice to have a National Unity Government. It is up to the SLFP to make a decision.
If they want to leave the Government, it is up to them again. But we will ensure that the Government will continue till 2020 irrespective of who stays and who goes out. We are ready for either.