Labour Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said that the SLFP has not taken any decision to quit the Government, adding that the first thing they have to do is to support and strengthen the Government to rescue the country from this disastrous situation.
The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have indicated that if there were lapses on the part of the Government during the past two years, they are prepared to correct themselves and move forward. We have to give them a chance and extend our fullest support to the Government as we are also a party to this Government. This should be the number one in our agenda.
The Minister said they are still confident that the Government can reverse some of its decisions such as the fertiliser issue and go ahead as planned to fulfill the aspirations of the people.
Excerpts of the interview
Q: The Government parliamentary group meeting was held on Monday under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. What was the outcome of the meeting?
A: It was mainly centered on the Government’s development activities which are launched in districts. The success of the program was discussed and attention was focused to utilise the funds allocated in a proper manner. It was also emphasised by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa that more emphasis should be given to livelihood development and instructions were given regarding that.
The Dollar crisis in the country was also discussed and views were expressed to increase the exports that are the only wayout and reduce import items to the country as much as possible. Especially, there are areas where we can increase export commodities not only tea but also coconut, cinnamon and many other agricultural products. The issue of the unannounced power cuts was also discussed at the meeting.
Q: The IOC has again increased its fuel prices. Will this lead the CPC also to go for a fuel price hike in a situation when the people have faced severe hardships?
A: It is a matter for the Treasury and the Energy Minister to take a decision. I agree that the cost of living has gone up. If we increase fuel prices, that will pave the way to escalate the cost of living. At the same time, we have to admit that the World Market prices on crude oil and refined oil are going up. Then how are we going to finance? We have already given much relief to the people who have faced economic hardships. We have to understand that it is not easy giving more relief to the people.
Q: The daily count of new Covid-19 cases continues to rise in the country. Has the Government any plans to go for another lockdown or impose travel restrictions?
A: Many developed countries have gone away from the decision of locking down because the economy has to sustain. They have taken precautions and get the people to work. I don’t think there is a necessity for us to lock down the country.
Q: The JVP says the recent egg throwing attack targeting their Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake was politically motivated, and they have decided to take legal action regarding that. Your views?
A: They are at liberty to take legal action. I condemn that attack. However, I can’t attribute it to the Government or anybody else because I don’t have the facts or evidence. It is up to the Police to conduct an impartial investigation and bring the culprits to book. Any political party or party leader should have the liberty to conduct political activities. The President will never condone such an act.
Q: Certain sections say that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution should be abolished and re-introduces the 19th Amendment. What is the SLFP’s position in this regard?
A: The SLFP’s position will be announced when the draft of the new Constitution is before us. We can’t take it piece by piece. We have to take the Constitution as a one document and examine it. The 20th Amendment and dual citizenship were brought as a temporary measure. The SLFP will study the draft constitution in depth. We have said that the draft of the new constitutional should be presented to the people and political parties without delay.
Q: The main Opposition, SJB, alleges that the economy cannot be developed by just printing money. Would you like to comment?
A: There are two sides of that argument. Even in most developed countries such as the US and many other countries are also printing money. We are also printing money, but that has to be done within a limit. The economic experts in the Government will examine the issue. They will do this within the permissible limits so that the economy will not be adversely affected.
Q: Has a final decision been taken by the Cabinet of Ministers to approach the IMF for financial aid?
A: The Treasury and the authorities are already keeping in touch with the IMF for technical support. But whether they will go for financial support is not yet known. Anyway, what we need is to make a correct assessment of the situation and have a wider discussion with regard to this issue by taking all possible measures to bring our country out of this difficult situation.
Q: The SLFP said earlier that the Provincial Council elections should be held immediately as many problems have arisen due to postponing PC elections for a long time. Your comments?
A: In our SLFP convention, we adopted a resolution calling for the Government to immediately hold the Provincial Council as well as Local Government elections.
Q: SLFP Leader, former President Maithripala Sirisena has said that the SLFP has prepared a special proposal to hand over to the Government, adding that the SLFP is discussing the proposals with a number of other parties to form an alliance. Is there any truth in this?
A: The proposal was discussed at the all-island party convention recently. That was approved at the party convention and we will forward our request to the Government. We will circulate it to other political parties as well. Thereafter, we can find what their reactions are. Those are not controversial things. We have asked for a special committee or a forum consisting of all political parties to discuss the present financial crisis and find out a common view on how we could bailout the country.
Q: There is speculations that the SLFP is going to quit the Government. Is there any major issue between the Government and its main coalition partner, SLFP?
A: We have not taken any decision to quit the Government. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa have indicated that if there are any lapses on the part of the Government during the past two years, they are prepared to correct themselves and move forward. We have to give them a chance and extend our support to the Government.
We are also a party to this Government. The people voted for this Government. First thing we have to do is to strengthen the Government and support them to rescue the country from this disastrous situation. This should be the number one in our agenda. If they don’t adhere to reforms, then naturally on the eve of an election, the people will not support the Government.
We have to be concerned about the political reality as well. We are confident the Government can reverse some of its decisions such as the fertiliser issue. We have already sorted out the teachers’ problems and the gas issue. In the same way, the Government should sort out the Dollar crisis. If the Government doesn’t sort out this problem, that will not only affect the SLPP, but also other constituent parties of the Government.
Q: Is the SLFP exploring the possibility to separately contest the future elections?
A: The issue of the SLFP to contest separately for the future elections is being discussed at the moment. We will see at the time of the elections as to how we could move forward. We have to take a decision by thinking about our partymen who are keen to contest the elections.
They want to become Provincial Council members and Mayors. We have to talk to other political parties including the SLPP and see what is the leverage and the space that they can give to us. Similarly, there are many issues which have to be discussed. We can’t take a final decision now when the elections are very much ahead.
Q: Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has raised concern over the delay in bringing to justice those named in the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the Easter Sunday attacks, who are accused of criminal negligence. Your views?
A: We can understand the concerns of Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. The Catholic community got affected by the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. The Government has taken fruitful measures to bring the culprits to book. However, the Cardinal is under the impression that what has been done is not sufficient. However, the Government politicians can’t go and conduct investigations. It is up to the Police to conduct investigations and find the others who are held responsible for this attack.
Q: Is the Government confident of facing the upcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva?
A: Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris is working hard and getting ready for that. Most issues concerned by the international community have been addressed now. I am sure the Foreign Minister will be able to face it without any problem.
Q: As reported by the media, the Employers’ Federation at a recent meeting with you has informed you that they are unable to extend the Rs.5,000 allowance to the private sector workers until the economy improves. Could you explain?
A: There were two arguments. Some employers said they have already increased the salaries and benefits of their employees, not by Rs.5,000 but Rs.2,000 or Rs.3,000. The employers say they are severely affected by the Dollar crisis and they don’t get a sufficient amount of raw materials for the manufacturing trade. At the same time the transport and food costs have also been increased.
Therefore, it is not viable for them to increase the salary of their employees by Rs.5,000 as then some private sector institutions will go bankrupt. That was the argument they have put forward. However, I have pleaded with them to at least increase the salaries by a certain amount because the private sector workers are also undergoing a lot of difficulties.
Q: Opposition members say many people have been left unemployed due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation. Has the Labour Ministry ascertained the number of people who have been left unemployed?
A: According to our survey, only seven percent of people have been left unemployed, but still jobs are available in the job market. For example, if you take the Free Trade Zone, 55,000 jobs are available there. Therefore, jobs are available in the places of the private sector, but the youths are waiting to join the Government sector jobs. This is the problem.
Q: You have said that the Treasury must provide Rs.240 for every US Dollar converted by Sri Lankan migrant workers for their remittances and this is one of the solutions for the foreign exchange crisis faced by the country. Would you like to elaborate your views?
A: To avoid bringing money into the country through illegal means, the suggestion that I made to the Cabinet of Ministers was to give Rs.240 per US Dollar to the migrant workers who have registered in the Foreign Employment Bureau and gone abroad for finding jobs and not for any other business people who are living there. Otherwise, they will be engaged in unscrupulous rackets through that.
What I suggested was that the Government should pay Rs.240 for every Dollar converted by Sri Lankan migrant workers for their remittances who are working in the Middle East or any other country. That was my proposal to increase the foreign exchange inflow into this country.
Q: Has the Labour Ministry targeted to send 300,000 Sri Lankans overseas for foreign employment?
A: Yes. We have been given a target of sending 300,000 Sri Lankans for foreign employment. Up to now this year, we have sent 28,000 Sri Lankans for foreign employment. I think we will be able to achieve that target. Last year, we sent 128,000 people for foreign employment.