‘My aim is to rank among the top three’ - ROGER SENEVIRATNE

Actor and politician, Roger Seneviratne is contesting at the western provincial council elections, under the UPFA ticket, for the second time. Speaking to Daily Mirror he said that the International Community which points fingers at Sri Lanka on human Rig

Q: Can you describe how you started your political journey?

I started getting involved in politics when I was very young and it was as far back as 1978. My first political encounter was a protest against the “White paper” (Dhawala pathrika) introduced by the Education Department to bring about changes to the then education system. From that day onwards, I have been involved in various political activities. In 2009, I contested from the National Freedom Front led by Wimal Weerawansa and topped the list and got elected to the Western Province Council.

Q: You first entered politics through the National Freedom Front and this time you are contesting on the United People’s Freedom alliance (UPFA) ticket. Have you changed your party?

No. I was with Minister Wimal Weerawansa and have been working with him. During the 2009 election too, we were with the UPFA, and we continue to be so. As the government has done many services to the people and artistes, I am attached to the government.

Q: With regard to the upcoming election, so many popular personalities including actors, actresses and media personalities seem to be in the fray. What is your opinion in this regard?

Indeed, it has developed as a trend that artistes coming in to politics. In order to gain publicity or in order to fulfill their personal gains, they enter politics. The people who go along with this trend will have a very short journey in the field of politics. Though I am an actor involved in politics, I do not belong to this category and I have had a firm political journey up to now. Our voters are intelligent; they know what is best and who deserve to be their leaders.

Q: But it is the same party you represent that got applications for nominations from so many actresses and singers. What have you got to say about this?

That’s true. It happens in many countries. Parties put forward artistes and sometimes such candidates become

successful. All I have to say is that our voters are clever and they know who deserves to be in the Council.

Q: There is a common allegation by many opposition groups and other artistes that the government has not done anything towards the wellbeing of the artistes or arts. How do you see this?

Who says so? Those are just rumours spread by the section that cannot bear to see the success of the government. This is the only government which has looked after the needs of the artistes. Look at Ranminithanna tele-cinema city? Also the government provided finance assistance to artistes who can not afford to buy vehicles. There were governments in the past which destroyed artistes and neglected artists.

It is not the artistes who level such allegations; it is certain people who attempt to get publicity. There maybe certain weaknesses because no-one is perfect. Yet we must appreciate what the government has done.

Q: If you get elected, what are your plans for the Western Province?

When I got elected in 2009, I fulfilled my duties to the best of my ability. I focused on the welfare of fellow artistes and completed many other projects. If I get elected this time, I would continue with what I have been doing. I would focus mainly on children’s education, health and also on the welfare of artistes.

I would launch special plans on education as it is essential to educate our future generation. The future of this country depends on them.

Q: Are you confident that your voters will not disappoint you?

Yes, in 2009 they gave me great expectations by placing me as the fifth from the Colombo district. This time my aim is to rank among the first three.

Q: What is your opinion with regard to the allegations on Human Rights violations by the International Community?

Is it us or them who have violated human rights? Look at our history. Isn’t it the foreigners who invaded our country violated human rights? It was them who used our resources. The president of Mauritius did not come to the recently held Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) saying that there were breaches of human rights violations. But our kings, for example King Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe was sent to Mauritius Islands. I want to tell all these foreigners who point fingers at us to learn our history and talk. We can manage our own affairs; we do not need their intervention.