Co-Cabinet Spokesman Mass Media Minister Dr.Nalaka Godahewa said that the opportunity should be given for all political parties to come together to find a solution to the current economic crisis.
“If we can bring all political parties in Parliament together and form a National Government or Interim Government, we would be in a much stronger position to face the current situation”. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said at this stage, we must forget about petty politics and come together in the best interest of the country. Dr. Godahewa said the protests had always been there in this country.
Just because there is a protest that doesn’t mean everything that the protesters say is hundred percent correct. However, there is something that we have to take into account because a protest doesn’t start without a reason. Therefore, we must be sensitive to these protestors and listen to what they are saying and see how best we can address the issues that they have raised.
Excerpts of the interview
Q: The Cabinet has given the green light to enact the 21st Amendment to the Constitution following a proposal made by the Prime Minister. Could you explain?
A: It should not be misunderstood that the 21st Amendment is not something that has been drafted. So, we don’t know what its entrenchments are. What has happened is there are two amendments that are already presented. One is the amendment proposed by MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe as a Private Member’s Bill and the other one proposed by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
If you go through both these amendments it can be called the 21st Amendment to the Constitution. However, they are not necessarily the same and they have different points of views. Since these matters are widely discussed inside the Parliament, lots of people are clamouring for some amendments.
The Cabinet discussed and agreed that the Government should also look at possible changes to the current Constitution taking into account both the 19th and 20th Amendment. There are certain good things as well as bad things in these amendments. So, the Cabinet decided to see whether we can make an improvement to the existing Constitution by bringing the 21st Amendment and a Cabinet Sub Committee was appointed to come up with necessary proposals.
Q: As reported by the media 10 SLPP Parliamentarians have sent a letter to the President requesting him to appoint a fresh Cabinet comprising members from all parties in Parliament with a Prime Minister from the SLPP.
A: I am also aware that 10 SLPP Parliamentarians have made such a written request from the President. However, no final decision has been taken in this regard so far.
Q: The President in his reply to the letter sent by the Chief Prelates of the three Chapters said that no party has responded positively to the request for assistance in liberating the country from its current position by accepting ministerial portfolios. Would you like to air your views?
A: That is true. They keep proposing a coalition Government but when they are invited they shy away from that. Even on Tuesday, we saw the main Opposition parties were saying that they were not going to be participants of an Interim Government. I think this is not the right way to look at things.
I think at this stage, we must forget about petty politics and come together in the best interest of the country. Despite the fact that they were not willing to join hands, the President however, kept asking them to come.
Q: A group of SLPP Parliamentarians who have become independent in Parliament have decided to extend their support to the SJB sponsored No Confidence Motion (NCM). Would you like to comment?
A: If you look at the numbers of the Opposition including the SJB, JVP and TNA, if they all get together, they have nearly 65 seats in Parliament. If the independent group also supports that there will be just over 100 MPs. Depending on whether the other 10 SLPP MPs who have sent a letter to the President join or not, it will make some difference.
Q: SLPP Parliamentarian Anura Priyadharshana Yapa told the Parliament last week the appointment of incapable persons to some posts is one of the main reasons for the current economic crisis in the country. Do you agree?
A: In a way that is correct because some of the senior people who were at the Treasury and the Central Bank couldn’t prevent this crisis. However, the crisis was not created by them but they could have prevented it if they acted promptly with the information that was made available to them.
They didn’t do that. They didn’t want the reduction of taxes and stop the continuous printing of money so that it added fuel to the crisis. So, what MP Anura Priyadharsha Yapa says is true. These officials are also held responsible for the situation that we have faced today. Actually, it is not just one or two persons but at least five senior officials whose names I do not wish to mention should take the responsibility for this.
Q: Former Mass Media Minister Dullas Alahapperuma has called for the resignation of the Cabinet led by the Prime Minister by forming an All Party Government to overcome the challenges faced by the country. Would you like to respond?
A: I also saw his letter. However, I can’t comment on his behalf because he has expressed his own opinion. In a way, it is similar to the opinion that some of us also maintain that we must create an inclusive Government which will bring other groups as well.
For example there are four different groups in that 40 independent group of MPs. If we can bring all of them together and form a National Government, then we will be in a much stronger position to face the current economic crisis. We need some kind of common approval to some of the decisions that we will have to take at this stage.
We will have to take some hard decisions. If we have a common agreement within Parliament for those policies, that will be much easier. I think that is why former Minister Alahapperuma has requested for the entire Cabinet to resign and the President to invite all parties to form an all party Government.
In a way I also share the same view. What we are saying is give an opportunity for all parties to come together to find a solution to the current crisis. For that the current Cabinet will have to resign and sometimes they may get reappointed. For example, all including the Prime Minister can get reappointed if that is the wish of the majority. I think what former Minister Alahapperuma has proposed is to give that opportunity to the President.
Q: During a recent meeting with a group of SLPP Parliamentarians and Provincial Councilors, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has categorically said that he will not step down from his portfolio. Would you like to comment?
A: I also saw that on the news. That was a statement made by the Premier via the media. I am not sure whether that was a right speech at this stage rather than taking a hard stance which is better to have more discussions and come to a conclusion.
Q: UNP Leader and former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament recently that whichever party in Parliament gets 113 seats the ground reality is that it would be impossible to solve the issues faced by the country today. Your Views?
A: It is not just a matter of showing 113 votes inside Parliament. It is a matter of bringing all different views together. At this stage, it is more appropriate to form an inclusive Government rather than a one party Government.
Q: At present a vast majority of the youths are clamouring for a system change and they stress that mere change of figure heads will not provide any solution to the burning issues faced by the people. Your views?
A: I fully support and endorse that view. Definitely, we need a system change and we have been talking about it for ages. Government after Government which came to power promised a system change but none of those Governments delivered it including the current Government.
We have also failed to introduce a system change and we are also continuing the traditional way of managing. This country must get rid of corruption and huge wastage of public funds. This country must be focused on real development, human capital development and elimination of red tape.
There are so many issues to be faced, so the system has to be changed. I fully endorse and support what the younger generation is asking for. We must do that.
Q: How do you view the comment made by former Auditor General Gamini Wijesinghe that all politicians should be subjected to the supervision of the country’s common law?
A: I don’t think there is any politician who has immunity in this country. Every politician is under the common law of the country. The President is the only person who has immunity and that is also only during his tenure in office.
Q: At present there is a fuel and gas shortage, ongoing power cuts and there is also a shortage of medicines and foods. Some say the Government has not been able to give the basics to the people. What can you say about this?
A: The shortages were there but some have already been resolved. For example, right now the fuel shortage has been minimised to a great extent. Solutions are also coming regarding the medicines. It is not only the current Government that has to be held responsible for this crisis because the foreign currency issue had lasted over the years. Some of the previous Governments as well as the current Government are responsible for this situation.
Q: Still protests are continuing at Galle Face, in front of Temple Trees and countrywide and the protesters are demanding that the Government quit as it has failed to fulfill its duties. Your comments?
A: Protests had always been there in this country. From the time we gained independence, the protests had been there such as public marches and hartals and that was the order of the day.
So, just because there is a protest that doesn’t mean everything that the protesters say is hundred percent correct. However, there is something that you have to take into account because a protest doesn’t start without a reason. There is always some reason for a protest as we say there is no smoke without a fire. So, we must be sensitive to these protesters and listen to what they are saying and see how best we can address the issues that they are raising.
Q: According to you, what is the solution for the current economic crisis?
A: Actually, two things should happen. One is finding funds from somewhere to address the immediate balance of payment gap. We have to bridge that gap. The other is to increase our income generating sources such as tourism, investments and exports so that we can sustain our debt portfolio.