MAHINDA SHOULD NOT SEEK OFFICE, BUT SUPPORT SLFP TO GAIN POWER -DUMINDA
SLFP against privatisation, but Public –Private Partnership a good concept SLFP endorsed OMP Act
General Secretary of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Agriculture Minister Duminda Dissanayake, in an interview with says, the party will be reorganised further in the event of its Convention. He says the SLFP expects former President Mahinda Rajapaksa will cooperate with the party rather than seeking office at future elections EXCERPTS:
Q In the aftermath of the party convention, what is the way forward for Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP)?
We are in the process of reorganising and restructuring the party to propel it to new heights in politics. We do it by appointing new organisers when and where necessary
Q In this process, there are a dozen of MPS sitting in the Joint Opposition. They hold organiser posts. Do you intend to replace them with new faces loyal to the present leadership?
Whether they sit in the Joint Opposition or not is not the question here. We have to dispense with organisers who do not deliver enough according to the policies and principles of the party. That is it. Otherwise, it is not a personal issue. We act in the greater interest of the party.
Q At the Convention, President Maithripala Sirisena, as the leader of SLFP, pledged to lead the party to form its own government in the future. Earlier, the President said the current unity government would serve five more years. What is the actual position?
The present government will rule till the end of its term. It means the government will be in power till the next Parliamentary elections. After that, the United National Party (UNP) and the SLFP will part ways and contest separately. We will strive for the formation of our Government. That is it. We will also team up with like-minded parties in this exercise.
Q The Convention was boycotted by the SLFP MPS sitting in the Joint Opposition which is the faction loyal to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Is the party contemplating action against them?
It is not needed actually. I think the rank and file of the party sent a message to them. If you look at the mammoth crowd at the Convention in Kurunegala, it will be easy to determine whether party people stand. They understand where the people’s heart lies. It remains with the party, not with a group. The Joint Opposition members can well learn a lesson from this.
Q Is a SLFP-LED government possible without the support of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is popular among the rank and file of the party?
We hope he will support the formation of a SLFP government. Mr. Rajapaksa cannot contest the next Presidential Election due to constitutional bars for it. Also, he does not stand the chance of becoming the next Prime Minister within the remaining period. He has held all positions starting from the MP post to presidency. He has been the party chairman. He is well aware that he has passed his time now.
Since he knows he cannot take over power again, we believe he will cooperate with the party to gain power. He will use his popularity to ensure victory for the party. That is the only option. If he cannot win, he should work for the party’s victory at least.
Q There is a Constitutional barrier for him to seek Presidency again. But, he still can contest for the Prime Minister post. What is your opinion?
He has the chance for seeking Premiership at a future election. There is no bar on that. He ruled this country twice as the President. Hence, he should give a chance to the second rung of the party to lead. In the past, the party could not have a new breed of leaders. We see its repercussions today. We all get older. A second tier of leaders should be built for the future of the party.
Q Now, the President has said the future elections will be contested under the hand symbol of the party. At the same time, there is speculation that a political understanding will be reached with the UNP at the end. What is your view?
We will contest on our own. There is no such arrangement being worked out at the moment.
Q You have formed a unity government with the UNP. Then, how can the two parties be pitted against each other at the next election to the local authorities?
We have experienced it. We formed the National Unity Government after contesting separately at the last parliamentary election. Likewise, we can contest separately this time without harming the concept of good governance at national level.
Q Today, there is a unity government between the two parties. But, there is a public perception that it is the UNP policies that are being implemented. What are your views?
The two parties have made compromises and implement policies acceptable to both sides. This is a unity government which is a unique concept. We experience this today for the greater interest of the country.
Q It is a known fact that the SLFP is against privatisation of State institutions. Yet, the government is seeking privatisation of some institutions. How does the SLFP agree with this policy?
The SLFP is totally against privatisation of State ventures. That has been articulated even at the Convention. All in all, there are State institutions running at huge losses. It is a drain on economy. Every government has a duty to convert them to economically viable ventures.
Q It means the SLFP is not against the concept of publicprivate partnership envisaged by the government?
The total privatisation of State ventures is not the policy of the SLFP as I told. It does not mean we should not take measures for revitalising State ventures if they incur huge losses. In fact, what is happening through the private -public partnership is a revitalisation process. The government retains the majority of the shares. The rest is entrusted in the hands of the private sector to be operated. It is not privatisation.
Q Let alone the economic policy, there is a perception that the foreign policy is west leaning, and it is against the non-aligned policy of the SLFP. What are your views?
In the past, we saw Sri Lanka alienating the western world and dealing with a few selected countries elsewhere. After President Maithripala Sirisena assumed office, the international perception on Sri Lanka has changed. Our President was hand-picked as a special invitee to an event in Japan attended by US President Barak Obama. It is a gain for the country. We have to decide whether to remain isolated from the world or become a friend with all. Sri Lanka has been internationally recognised today. It is a victory for the country, not for the SLFP alone.
Q Then, the Office of Missing Persons (OMP) Act was passed with the concurrence of the SLFP?
It was enacted well in consultation with the SLFP.
Q Is the SLFP in full agreement with the enacted law?
Yes, there is agreement between the UNP and SLFP on the provisions of the Act. It was done after consultations with each other.
Q The constitution making process is currently underway in Parliament. What is the SLFP stand on the structure of the proposed new Constitution?
I am not in a position to give a proper answer to that question. The SLFP Central Committee has appointed a committee to look into it. The committee is in contact with other parties on the matter at hand. Only after that dialogue, we will be able to announce our position.
Q Does the SLFP have a clearcut idea on power devolution?
That has to be discussed with the committee decisions, I suppose. If we articulate our individual opinions, it will send a wrong message to the country. We have to take a decision as a party.
Q You are the Agriculture Minister of this government. We heard that plans were underway to limit paddy cultivation to opt for other commercial crops. How true is it?
We need to self-sufficient in rice production. Whenever there is a surplus of paddy harvest, it should be maintained as a buffer stock. Harvest depends on climatic conditions. In the event of a bumper harvest, we have found it difficult to ensure a reasonable price for growers. It is realistic when the supply is higher than the demand. If that situation arises, we should turn to other crops.
Q In this Maha season, will you restrict paddy cultivation?
We will cultivate paddy in all possible lands this time.
Q How do you address the fertiliser issue because farmers were inconvenienced due to lack of fertiliser last time?
Those practical problems will not arise this time. We have compiled details about all farmers. We have an idea about the extent of land each of them cultivates. Then, it is easy for us to release money for them. They have to fill the necessary forms.
Q You are a young politician representing Anuradhapura. It is an area where inter party violence between the UNP and the SLFP was very high at one point. In your view, how does the concept of good governance work at village level between the two parties today?
It will take some time for ordinary people to get used to this concept. The leaders of the two sides get together, consult each other and resolve issues. Yet, both the parties have spread hatred and animosity at grassroots level. There were damages to political decorations. Party offices were ransacked. Despite the introduction of the Good Governance concept, people still harbour animosities against each other at village level over past happenings. It is being gradually introduced to the minds of people. Today, we see people from both sides getting together for public meetings. It is a good sign. We should nurture it for posterity. We should develop it.