Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka said that politics today is to develop the country and not to have partisan politics so that all of us have to put our heads together to get out of this morass.
The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said that today nobody will say that we are worse than last year. Now the tables have turned. If the Opposition is not happy that is due to their ulterior motive, not to bring down the Government but to somehow derail development. They are trotting out lame excuses not to support the Government. It is not the Government per see it is the country. The Government may comprise politicians but the country should come first.
Excerpts
Q: The Opposition is charging that the Government is aiming to suppress the people through the new Anti-terrorism Bill. What is your comment on this?
A: My opinion is that we have been shattered and battered several times within the past 50 years due to terrorism. Whether it is in the South or North, terrorism is terrorism and we have to crush it. So, it is better to nip it in the bud. For that, we need teeth into law. I have no regrets whatsoever if we have very strong laws preventing terrorism and it is also the duty of any Government to look into past incidents why people have subverted. We have to learn from mistakes and learn from the past. The reconciliation process has not had much effect. We have to think of new agendas and avenues.
Q: The Opposition has formed a coalition aimed at defeating the Anti-terrorism Bill, Broadcasting Authority Bill and IMF proposals. Will this have a big impact on the Government’s agenda?
A: I doubt because in the first place, they have to defeat it. So, we will have to see. I don’t know how progressive their thinking is. As of now, we have to work for the betterment of the nation, not as a party. The politics today is to develop the country and not to have partisan politics. So, all of us have to put our heads together and get out of this morass. As of now, if we compare, nobody will say that we are worse than last year.
You can remember there had been long queues for fuel and gas and no commodities were available. Now tables have turned. If the Opposition is not happy that is due to their ulterior motive, not to bring down the Government but to somehow derail the process of development. As far as I see that is it. They are trotting out lame excuses not to support the Government. It is not the Government per see it is the country. The Government may comprise politicians but it is the country that should come first.
Q: There seems to be a division in the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) over the Presidential Candidate and several other issues. Some MPs are supporting President Ranil Wickremesinghe as Presidential Candidate while some others say the SLPP should field its own candidate. Which side are you on?
A: I am on the side of the people. You cross the bridge when you get there, not before that.
Q: The Opposition is alleging that the Government is selling even profitable state institutions under the IMF conditions. Do you agree with the move to sell profitable Government entities?
A: No. I am not. We need to manage state institutions properly. My personal opinion is the Government should get out of doing business. We can be an alternative but with caution. We should not suppress other contenders. We can be one but that doesn’t mean we should create a monopoly. Therefore, I feel that we have to just be a monitoring agency and manage things. That is how we can help our people. We have to create more, especially for providing services.
Q: In your opinion does the Government need to fulfill every condition laid down by the IMF or do you think that some of them could be negotiated?
A: We have to negotiate anyway. We are a sovereign state. Of course, we are on a very bad wicket right now because of what happened in the past. Economically, for the first time in history, we have declared bankruptcy. Therefore, they might take the advantage. I don’t say others are taking advantage of us but they might. However, we should not let our people down and our country down. We have to negotiate.
Q: Some politicians have also floated the idea of forming a National Government. What is the progress in this regard?
A: We have already formed a National Government. There are several parties in the Cabinet and the others should also take part. We are willing to forgo our portfolios. I am willing to forgo my portfolio if others are coming. Jumbo sized Cabinets have not helped the country. Therefore, I am more than willing to resign from the portfolio that I am holding now and give a chance to the people who are coming to support the country.
Q: A huge controversy has arisen over the alleged transfer of a bribe of US$ 250 million to a bank account of a Sri Lankan in London possibly to prevent litigation on the Express Pearl ship disaster. Do you think that the proposed Anti-corruption Bill will be able to prevent such instances at least in the future?
A: There is a possibility. I don’t say a probability but a possibility. But being politicians and public servants we have to be clean and honest. We have to work according to our conscience. This graft, corruption and wanton wastage of public funds should be stopped.
Q: Arrangements have been made to hold this year’s State Vesak festival in the Puttalam district. Would you like to comment?
A: Actually, we were looking for an area which has been represented by all communities. That is why we have selected the Puttalam district to conduct this year’s State Vesak Festival.
Q: Several incidents have been reported where indecent events have taken place at New Year festivals islandwide. What are the actions being taken to prevent such instances in future?
A: We set up a committee to look into this, especially Facebook pages and social media. Through that, we might be able to identify those who held such events. There should be strict enforcement of self-discipline. If we don’t have self-discipline, we will never be able to progress and develop.
Q: Despite various measures taken by the Government, treasure hunting continues unabated. Will the Government introduce strict measures to prevent treasure hunting?
A: We are revising the Antiquities Act and it is in the hands of the Archaeology Department. The Director General has been empowered by the Act itself. I don’t know what they are doing and I am sorry to say that. The Archaeology Department is one of the oldest Government institutions. I don’t know whether it is a reason for Professors to take over as the Head of the Department. We have to rethink our orientations.
Q: There have been some attempts by various elements to create disharmony among various religious groups. One example is a Moulavi giving false information about an attack on mosques. What are the steps being taken by the Government to prevent such attempts and ensure religious harmony?
A: Actually, these are being created by certain sections of the media and some politicians. I suppose the Sinhalese in Colombo are less than 35 percent and the majority is Tamils and Muslims. Isn’t there harmony? So-called politicians and extremists are making use of these things.
However, the people don’t buy these things anymore. They are very open-minded. The people are far ahead than politicians and extremists. So, I don’t think in the near future, there will be any of those calamities that we faced in the recent past.
However, that is why the Prevention of Terrorism Act should come into action. I believe that it is not only for the terrorism but also for the people who pave the way for terrorist activities. That part has also to be included in the new Bill.
Everybody wants a very peaceful life. If somebody is disrupting that by virtue of making allegations and statements under the guise of privileges accorded to them as Members of Parliament, I don’t think that is civilized.
It is highly uncivilised. Recently, I was listening to them in Parliament and they are alleging others as racists.
But when somebody says that particular statement itself is tantamount to being racist, he is asking the Speaker, Deputy Speaker or the presiding member to look into that.
That should not be the case. All members have entered Parliament to serve the country, not to serve their religious or other beliefs. That is partisan politics. We have to think alike and think as a country.