Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation Mahinda Amaraweera said the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) should take the lead in forming an All-Party Government (APG) as it was the SLFP which presented the proposal of the APG during the tenure of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said the SLFP was keen to form an APG and it has the responsibility of playing its major role. When President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his willingness to form an APG, other political parties should also positively respond to make this endeavour a success. He said: “This is not a time to form new political parties, alliances or strengthen the existing parties. When people are suffering and undergoing immense hardships, such a situation should not be exploited to form new political parties or alliances. The need of the hour is to sincerely work on behalf of the people and make an effective contribution to provide speedy solutions to their burning issues.”
Excerpts of the interview.
Q: Discussions have been going on over the past couple of weeks to form an All Party Government (APG) but no final consensus has been reached. Why is it so ?
A: Actually, this is not an issue which can be solely vested to one particular individual allowing others to avoid. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has already made an open invitation to all political parties to join hands to form an APG. The President has allocated time and already discussed with political parties regarding the matter.
Several rounds of discussions have already been held with some political parties. When the President has expressed his willingness to form an APG, other political parties should also positively respond to make this endeavour a success. One party or group is not in a position to form an APG. The green light has come from the President’s side for this purpose. Therefore, if other parties also join hands, it would pave the way to form an APG and it would be beneficial for the country as well.
Q: What is the SLFP position to form an APG? Has the party decided to extend its support for such a Government?
A: It was the SLFP which presented the proposal of APG during the tenure of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The SLFP was keen to form an APG so that it has the responsibility of playing the major role. When we look at, the SLFP is the main character in this process as they first proposed the APG proposal. The direct intervention of the SLFP to the ongoing talks to decide on the composition of the APG is very much needed at this juncture. It is not only me but also other SLFP MPs at the party politburo and various other forums have expressed their views in this regard. Actually, it is the SLFP which should take the lead in forming an APG.
Q: Following a meeting between President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the SJB representatives on Monday, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has once again turned down the request to join the Government adding that the SJB will support the Government for its progressive programs while being in the Opposition. Your views?
A: This is a very unfortunate situation. All those who are outside the Government say that they would extend their support to the good moves of the Government. Perhaps they might think the good moves means such as the reduction of the prices of goods, provide relief to the people and increase the salaries of public servants. Then they will extend their support to such moves.
It is very obvious, the Opposition and all other parties always extended their support to such popular initiatives. Otherwise, they can’t go back to their villages without supporting such moves. The Opposition always criticises the Government and drags on its feet. There is no use of just telling, they would extend their support towards the good moves of the Government.
They should join the Government and submit their proposals. In order to do that, first they should become a stakeholder of the Government. Discussions are going on these days on the composition of the Cabinet of the new Government to be formed. The main Opposition SJB should also take part in these discussions to decide on the number of portfolios of the Cabinet and its members. They should also nominate their representatives to engage in that task. From then onwards, we can move on. The Opposition should also join hands to discuss the issue of privatisation and how it should take place. I don’t think it would be successful or practical to extend their support from outside to an APG or a program of such nature without becoming a stakeholder of the Government.
Q: What is your analysis on the current behaviour of the Opposition? Don’t you think they should extend their support to get the country out of the crisis situation irrespective of their political differences?
A: Definitely. At this juncture all 225 MPs in Parliament should become the stakeholders of the Government. In a situation where the country has faced dire economic constraints and the people have faced severe hardships, if the Opposition attempts to deliberately ignore and vest the entire responsibility on one particular group or person, it shows the unfortunate situation faced by the country.
Q: A group of Government constituent parties are going to form a new political alliance on September 4. Will this have any adverse effect on the Government?
A: I have no understanding about that. Actually, this is not a time to form new political parties, alliances or strengthen the existing parties. At this juncture, we should take steps to strengthen the people. When the people are suffering and undergoing immense hardships, such a situation should not be exploited to form new political parties or alliances. The need of the hour is to sincerely work on behalf of the people and make an effective contribution to provide speedy solutions to their burning issues.
Q: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka has raised concerns on the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and alleges that it provisions are used to arrest and detain persons who have been involved in protests against the Government. Would you like to comment?
A: I don’t think the people’s right to protest will be deprived due to implementation of the PTA.
As I am aware, the PTA is used to deal with anti-government programs, terrorist acts and damage caused to public properties. Otherwise, it is not appropriate to use the provisions of the PTA to suppress public protests. As far as I know, no such situation has occurred in the country.
Q: Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader MP Udaya Gammanpila has called for a Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoL) to investigate the events surrounding the Aragalaya from May 9 to July 12. Your comments?
A: There is nothing wrong in appointing a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to investigate the situation which occurred in the country, find out its root cause and the actions to be taken regarding that in future. One Parliamentarian was assaulted and brutally killed due to the May 9 riot incidents while the houses of a large number of Parliamentarians were set on fire. Similarly, massive damage has been made to the President’s House, Temple Trees, Presidential Secretariat and Prime Minister’s office. In addition, there was an attempt to do that similar damage to Parliament which was somehow prevented by the security forces.
Q: At present Sri Lanka has faced an economic crisis and we are in the number five among the countries which have higher inflation. What remedial measures have been taken to address the situation?
A: We are in fifth place on food inflation. When the country is faced with such a crisis situation, all parties should join hands and extend their support to find solutions to it. This is not the time to grab power or find fault with each other to become leaders. All should rally round to formulate a program to get the country out of the current crisis situation. That is the responsibility of all politicians.
Q: Do you think the 21st Amendment would help to eliminate the current political instability in the country?
A: At present, there is no major issue with regard to political instability in the country. If the incumbent Government doesn’t have 113 MPs in Parliament, then only there is political instability. Still the Government commands the majority in Parliament. However, we should admit that the people have faced hardships and there is a public protest outside the Parliament. That is what we should address and rectify it immediately. I think it is the responsibility of the Government to provide essential commodities to the people and bring solutions to their burning issues. As the Agriculture Minister, I am trying my level best to sort out the issues faced by farmers.
The major problem faced in the agriculture sector was to provide fertiliser to farmers. Similarly, we have to provide fuel to farmers to carry out their paddy cultivation. Both these requirements will be fulfilled. The fertiliser required for the Yala Season has been provided while the fertiliser requirement for the Maha Season will also be addressed. Then we would be able to sort out the problems faced by farmers to a certain extent.
Q: The JVP, TNA and certain other sections are of the view that instead of going for a General Election, there is no way out for the current political crisis. Do you like to elaborate your views?
A: Actually, they have no idea as to how this issue is sorted out when we go for an election. Their sole intention is how to consolidate power. They attempt to further destabilise the country. None of these parties are in a position to get at least 100 MPs at an election. Therefore, after an election, an unstable Government which cannot secure even a simple majority in Parliament will be created and it would lead to more crises in the country. The present SLPP led Government still commands the majority in Parliament and it has 145 MPs.
Do the people request for an election at this juncture? The people have faced severe hardships due to the prevailing situation. Therefore, their request is to provide solutions to their burning issues. Who is going to contest the election? If the politicians of some political parties want to conduct an election, have the people raised their voice to conduct an election at this juncture? That is not so. A huge amount of money has to be spent to conduct an election. In addition, a lot of time has also to be spent to conduct an election by postponing all the work planned by the Government. Therefore, it won’t bring any fruitful results by conducting an election at this juncture. Perhaps, it may be a deliberate attempt by certain political parties to just increase their numbers in Parliament.
Q: Has any special program been launched to re-cultivate the abandoned paddy lands in the country?
A: Yes. We are now in the process of formulating a program. Steps will be taken to re-cultivate the paddy lands. According to the statistics, there are nearly 100,000 acres of uncultivated paddy lands in the country. In addition, all abandoned cultivable lands belonging to the Government in urban and rural areas will be re-cultivated. It is not only the Agriculture Ministry, all other Ministries should take measures to cultivate the lands belonging to them. Only the President and Agriculture Minister cannot fulfill this task. Everybody should join hands to overcome this situation. Government Ministers should also realise this responsibility and act accordingly. If all citizens act with responsibility in this crisis situation, we would be able to get a good result within a short period.
Q: Has the Agriculture Ministry been able to address the shortage of urea fertiliser issue along with the first batch of 44,000 and second batch of 65,000 metric tons of urea fertiliser given to Sri Lanka under the Indian Credit Line?
A: At present, we have received two consignments of urea fertiliser. A program is also being implemented to get the fertiliser required for the Maha Season as well. A tender procedure has also been commenced.
Q: What is the progress on the purchase of the Yala paddy harvest?
A: The Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) has purchased over 3 million kilograms of paddy by the end of Wednesday (August 24). At present, the PMB is engaged in the process of purchasing paddy. It seems a large number of paddy stocks are received by the PMB rather than other harvesting seasons. I don’t think there will be a rice shortage during the next few months. Our farmer community has accepted the challenge and they have cultivated more paddy lands. When I assumed office 248,000 hectares of paddy lands had been cultivated. At present this has been increased to 512,000 hectares. This will help to get more rice stock in the forthcoming harvesting seasons. Therefore, we won’t face any rice shortage.
Q: There is media speculations that a decision has been taken to remove Giant Squirrel (Dandulena) as the national animal. Is there any truth in this?
A: No such decision has been taken. At present, there is a lack of some hot news within media circles. Therefore, a certain section of the media may attempt to create such speculation. Then the politicians can also speak based on that. Even the media can also create an opinion regarding that and also draw some cartoons. However, I categorically say there is no truth whatsoever ever on those media speculations.