Land Minister S.M. Chandrasena said all political parties irrespective of their petty political differences should join hands to find a solution to the present economic crisis. The Minister in an interview with the Sunday Observer said if the Opposition attempts to strengthen their political camps and vote base through aggravating hardships faced by the people, it is an undemocratic move. When there is an election, they can make use of their strength to win over other parties.
The Minister said everybody should join hands to ease the burden and hardships faced by the people. The people will not give any excuse to the political parties which attempt to avoid important forums such as All-party Conference initiated to provide lasting solutions to their burning issues. The people will be disappointed in attempts by certain political parties to deliberately create issues in the country which would eventually pave the way to further worsen their sufferings.
Excerpts of the interview
Q: How do you view the All-party Conference Convened on Wednesday to seek solutions for the ongoing economic crisis following a request by the SLFP?
A: At the inception, some people were under the impression that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was a dictator. When looking at his two years administration, it is obvious that he is a democratic leader. The President has not taken any action to go against democracy. During the tenure of the President, various anti-Government demonstrations were held by vehemently criticising the Government.
However, none of those who participated in those demonstrations were harassed or disturbed. This dollar issue and the economic crisis have emerged not because of the President. The majority of the people have realised that this is a long-standing issue. Even the JVP says this has been dragged on during the past 74 years. However, the Government has engaged in a sincere effort to address the economic issue.
Therefore, it is praiseworthy the decision by the President to convene an All-party Conference. As the country’s leader the President invited all party leaders to participate in the conference. Except the Samagi Jana Balawgaya (SJB) and National People’s Power (NPP), many political parties attend the meeting. Even two representatives had been sent to represent the 11 constituent parties of the Government.
We appreciate the participation of the Tamil political party leaders in the North at the conference. When former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe raised a certain issue, the President expressed his regret to him. The President is such a flexible leader.
We can be happy when we look at the manner the President handled the conference. Under the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s leadership, we won the battle against terrorism due to the patience demonstrated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as the then Defence Secretary. Whatever issues faced and criticism made by the people and Opposition political parties, the President is successfully facing the situation patiently and moving forward.
It is time to convene an All-party Conference to seek the views of political parties. Instead of facing the crisis as a Government and a political party alone, it is more appropriate to obtain the views of the people and other political parties to overcome the crisis. The President is giving leadership to take this process forward.
All political parties should join hands to find a solution to the crisis. We cannot allow the people to suffer. If the Opposition attempts to strengthen their political camps and vote base by aggravating the hardships faced by the people, it is an undemocratic move. When there is an election, they can make use of their strength to win over other political parties.
Everybody irrespective of petty political differences should join hands to ease the burden and hardships faced by the people. People are intelligent. They will not give any excuse the political parties which attempt to ignore dialogues initiated on behalf of them. The people won’t be happy with the deliberate attempts by certain political parties to create issues in the country. They will be disappointed with such political parties.
Anybody can understand that the All-Party Conference was conducted successfully. We should appreciate the attempt by the President to accept the views and proposals submitted by the political parties to overcome the issues faced by the country.
Q: Several political parties such as Samagi Jana Balawegaya, National People’s Power and the Government constituent parties Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Democratic Left Front, National Freedom Front and Ceylon Workers’ Congress had boycotted the forum. Would you like to comment?
A: The members of 11 Government constituent parties should have separately attended the conference. However, they had nominated SLPP Parliamentarian Prof. Tissa Vitarana and Ape Janabala Party MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera to participate in the conference. All the 11 constituent parties of the Government should have attended it without sending two representatives.
They should have come and discussed their Mulu Ratama Hari Magata program in the forum and explored the possibility of implementing their proposals. It is not suitable for the Samagi Jana Balawegaya and the National People’s Power to boycott the conference. It is evident that they have no intention to sort out the burning issues of the people. They, somehow, want to embarrass the Government and put the people into difficulties to increase their vote base.
Q: What was the outcome of the special meeting of the ruling party chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa held on Tuesday to discuss the economic crisis?
A: All our representatives requested to implement a program to increase our Dollar reserve and take maximum possible measures to provide fuel and gas without any shortage and take steps to avoid power cuts. Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa told the meeting that through the loan obtained from India, steps will be taken to prevent the gas, fuel shortages and power cuts.
The Finance Minister will take steps to resolve the issues within the next ten days. During the Sinhala New year season, steps will be taken to reduce the prices of food items and import them without a shortage. The President requested Government Parliamentarians to contribute as much as they can to overcome the crisis rather than criticising the Government.
The President told ruling party members not to ignore the situation and that their criticism alone doesn’t solve the problems faced by the people. Whatever Government comes to power, it will have to face this situation. The President said all those who formed the Government should join hands to face the situation.
Q: People have faced many hardships to get fuel and gas. They have to be in queues for long hours. What are the remedial measures taken to address the situation?
A: The Government considers this as a major issue and tries to prevent queues for gas and fuel. Arrangements have been made to import gas and fuel without a shortage. We have given priority to supply fuel to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to avoid power cuts.
Q: State Minister Nimal Lanza has stepped down from his ministerial portfolio while SLPP parliamentarian Jayantha Samaraweera also stepped down from his State Minister portfolio recently. Does it mean that there is a conflict in the Government?
A: The reason for MP Jayantha Samaraweera to step down was the sacking of his Party Leader Wimal Weerawansa from his ministerial portfolio. He may not be in a position to remain in his portfolio. State Minister Nimal Lanza stepped down due to an issue he had with a ministry secretary. However, he is with the Government and attended the Government parliamentary group meeting as well. He will meet the President and sort out his issue.
Q: Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa says the country is in a pathetic situation. It has been dragged on towards instability. Would you like to air your views?
A: The Government has not faced any instability in the country. The Opposition had planned to move a No Confidence Motion against Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. Now they have withdrawn it. Even if they move it, as the Government we are ready to defeat it.
Since the inception, former Minister Wimal Weerawansa and his group may have had other ulterior motives. They should have faced the situation and protected the Government they formed rather than criticising it. We have faced this issue due to the decline of our foreign reserves. If tourist arrivals are on the increase, we would get more Dollars. In addition, we get Dollars from Sri Lankan expatriate workers and export earnings.
The main reason for this situation was the Covid-19 pandemic, the collapse of the tourism industry and decline of export earnings. Tourist arrivals have shown an increase while steps have been taken to increase local production. Former Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa should have helped strengthen our foreign reserves through the industries rather than criticising the Government.
Q: SLPP dissidents Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila allege that the Government formed by the country’s progressive forces is dragging the country towards destruction to cater to the interests of some foreign countries. Your comments?
A: They still act by keeping in mind the ideas which existed in the leftist movement 50 to 60 years ago. At present, the world and technology have changed rapidly. Politicians who keep those primitive ideas in their mind think the world is still running on those traditional leftist theories, but that is not so. Countries such as Russia and China have also changed a lot.
We can’t move forward by thinking in the same old traditional form. These politicians should adjust their political movements to suit recent political developments in the world.
We can’t move forward without changing. Our leftist leaders should also build their political movements to suit present day needs, but that is not happening. That is why they say we have aligned with America. If China can deal with America, why can’t we do that? Economic activities are shared among countries.
When the economy is developed, there can’t be separate camps such as leftist and capitalist. When an American or British investor comes to invest here, certain sections attempt to portray that we are pro-West and the country is going to be sold to America. That is not the truth. During the tenure of the UNP Government, most areas in the North and East were under the control of the LTTE.
Q: The JVP has launched a countrywide political campaign and demonstrations asking the Government to step down immediately. Your comments?
A: The JVP has a system to conduct its political campaign. They brought their countrywide supporters and conducted rallies at Tangalle and Nugegoda. When there is a JVP rally, they bring their entire cadre to it. They think they can topple the Government tomorrow. If there is a big crowd at a rally, they can’t say they are strong. These results may be changed at an election.
Q: Has the Government taken a final decision to go for the IMF bailout?
A: Yes. On one occasion, when a decision was taken by the Cabinet of Ministers to go for an IMF bailout, Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara opposed that and asked not to obtain the IMF loan. At the Cabinet meeting held two weeks ago, when the Finance Minister inquired about obtaining an IMF loan, all Cabinet of Ministers unanimously said that the Government should go for the IMF bailout to recover from the economic crisis.
Q: Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has expressed serious concern over obtaining continuous financial assistance by the Government from foreign countries and said the Government should reveal the purpose of obtaining such loans with higher interest rates. Would you like to comment?
A: The Opposition Leader makes such baseless statements. Earlier, he said that fuel will be brought to Sri Lanka from three countries. When this was questioned in Parliament by Chief Government Whip Minister Johnston Fernando, Premadasa said that would be done when they formed their Government.
This is the ideal time for the Opposition Leader to extend his support to bring fuel. The fuel issue will be sorted out within the next two-to-three weeks. The Opposition Leader makes such statements to mislead the people and increase his vote base.