Former Minister Sagala Ratnayaka who has been appointed Chief of Staff to the President and Senior Advisor to the President on National Security speaking to the Sunday Observer said he hopes to bring fuel, gas and medicine into the country.
Many Sri Lankans tend to understand the present situation in the country. There is no pulling of legs and political games being palyed.
Excerpts of an interview
Q: The United National Party suffered a setback recently. Are there plans to re-build the party?
A: We started that program with the 75th anniversary. We are now seeing the growth of the party.
With the President’s program, a major change took place in the country. That is why the people are aligning with the United National Party. With the appointment of the President, the inflow of foreign exchange has increased, the queues have reduced and some changes have been made and the shortage of medicines has been eliminated. It is our responsibility to re-build the party. But at this moment, we have to bring all parties together. There are at least two years before a presidential election. A general election is almost three years away. We have gathered all the political parties that want to rule the country.
Q: Any developments on setting up an all party government?
A: Why not, we made an all out effort and President Ranil Wickremesinghe has already met several party leaders and by next week we will be able to know exactly where we stand on this issue.
Q: Any relief to people from the interim budget?
A: Yes, of course, the following relief measures were introduced through the budget.
* Pregnant mothers used to get Rs.20,000 even after two months from childbirth. Now we have increased that with another Rs.2,500 per month.
* Selected 61,000 low income families will receive Rs.10000 every month.
* The Government has increased the Rs.5,000 Samurdhi to Rs.7,500
* Registered kidney patients will receive Rs.7,500.
Q: Has a full presidential pardon been given to Ranjan Ramanayake and will he be able to continue as a Member of Parliament immediately?
A: No. It’s only a conditional pardon given to Ranjan. Therefore, he cannot continue to be a Member of Parliament immediately until he receives a full pardon.
Q: Will the SJB join the UNP in the near future?
A: Let’s hope for the best. We cannot predict anything now. The UNP is their Maha Gedara, so why not?
Q: Will there be more SJB members joining President Wickremesinghe’s government?
A: The United National Party (UNP) will not close its doors to anyone.Whoever wants to join us is free to do so. But we don’t go on poaching even from the SJB.
Q: Under the current crisis is there a risk of institutions closing down and workers losing employment?
A: Under no circumstances will we allow such problems to arise. We will have criteria. Accordingly decisions will be taken by the parties concerned.
We have informed the trade unions of those institutions and are working on it. People have understood that there needs to be some change. There are requests from employees of any organisations that should be looked into.
Q: How do you plan to supply fertiliser to farmers for the Maha season?
A: Fertiliser will be supplied to farmers without a shortage.
Q: The public service has been a burden to every government that came to power with popular promises about public service recruitment. But due to trade union agitation subsequent regimes had to withdraw restructuring plans. Will the restructuring take place?
A: The time for politics with promises of government recruitment is over. There are some people who are recruited into the government service who do not have official duties. We should investigate how to get work from those public servants in a productive way for the country. Such things are rearranged during restructuring.
During the restructuring, it will be possible to get technical knowledge from the International Monetary Fund. Government employees have been given the opportunity to go abroad and work.
A 5-year leave has been given for that. Otherwise, they can leave the government service at their own discretion. Those who wish to return to Sri Lanka can return to work. You can take a 5-year vacation and develop your knowledge and earn some income. Accordingly, the government is able to use resources for the people living in this country.
Q: Can you tell us about the current economic crisis and the IMF talks?
A: Sri Lanka has reached an agreement with the IMF for a US$2.9 billion loan. If not for the protests in July we would have secured the loan by the first week of August.
Q: What is the government’s stance in relation to the Diaspora?
A: We have already set up an office and discussions are under way. I can’t divulge anything right now until we come to an agreement.
Q: The President said that the country will be a fully developed country by 2048. Short and medium term solutions are needed to solve the current economic crisis and stabilise the economy. What are your views?
A: We have focused on that and taking steps to stabilise the economy. Some tax increases and changes have been made.
The budget has addressed some issues. The program with the IMF is under-way. There is a program to revive the economy that will be presented in the 2023 budget. We need to manage our natural resources properly. We have to focus on export crops.
A long-term program should be developed to improve cultivation of tea, coconut, rubber and other export crops. Chemical and organic fertilisers should be developed in such a way that they are suitable for the future.
It is essential to use technology for agriculture. The tourism industry should be developed. Efforts should be made to promote foreign philanthropy.
Q: Will the IMF loan be a solution to the current foreign reserve deficit?
A: The tax increase was done as a solution to the existing rupee problem. Cost management is increasing productivity. It will be difficult for us for a few years. But we are a nation that can face any crisis. So far, 2.9 billion dollars have been approved through the IMF. Not from the money received; the basic foundation of strengthening the country’s economy rests on the framework built by the IMF.
Q: When do you hope to set up the National Security Council (NSC)?
A: We plan to set up the NSC by around March next year. Most of the preparatory work has been carried out.