Mahinda, top officials should be held responsible says SB:
From Sunday Observer by Uditha Kumarasinghe
Senior politician S. B. Dissanayake’s chequered political
career is dotted with success and failure. Endowed with the unique talent of
being able to wriggle out of temporary setbacks, he has made his place in
politics secure. In an interview with the Sunday Observer, the Minister of
Rural Economic Affairs called for a clear majority for the SLFP-led UPFA
coalition at the upcoming General Election to form a stable Government under
President Maithripala Sirisena.
Excerpts:
Q: What is the exact situation regarding SLFP nomination
for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa? Will he be the UPFA prime ministerial
candidate?
A: President Sirisena, at a UPFA party leaders
meeting on Thursday (2) agreed to accommodate former President Rajapaksa on the
UPFA list. However, the President did not agree to nominate his predecessor as
the UPFA prime ministerial candidate or allow him to lead the UPFA election
campaign, as that would adversely impact on the independent votes obtained by
President Sirisena at the Presidential Election.
A compromise was reached: To give nominations to Mahinda
Rajapaksa from a district. UPFA General Secretary Susil Premajayantha has
issued a media communique in this connection.
Q: Prospective candidates are being interviewed now. What
do you look for in candidates?
A: We would look into their commitment for the
party, educational qualifications, popularity and whether they have been found
guilty of any wrongdoings.
Q: It has been said that nominations will be denied to
drug dealers, ethanol dealers, rapists and so on. But there is strong suspicion
that the UPFA will eventually accommodate shady characters whose names have
been strongly linked to these offences.
A: President Sirisena has reiterated that such
persons will be denied nominations. Though the nomination boards will conduct
interviews of candidates, the President can accept or reject such nominations.
Q: Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s popular catchword
‘motherland’ has resurfaced already. Will this embrace or alienate minority
votes, crucial for victory?
A: That was an effective slogan put forward by
former President because we all love our motherland. But this slogan should not
be used to promote racism. The SLFP is steadily moving forward under the new
leader. He is not a racist or a religious extremist. He is a leader who wants
to see that all communities live in peace and harmony. I think the former
President will join President Sirisena in achieving this goal.
Q: With allegations of plundering national wealth, abuse
of authority, breakdown in rule of law, interference with judiciary, autocratic
rule and alienating minorities, can the SLFP-led UPFA garner sufficient votes
to form a government?
A: President Sirisena is the incumbent SLFP
chairman. None of these charges have been levelled against him. People gave him
a mandate to rectify errors. During the former government, we unnecessarily
weakened our bilateral ties with India and Europe while creating problems with
the United Nations.
Now all those mistakes have been rectified. The President is
promoting peace and reconciliation to the Northern people. Now ‘Maithri’ vision
is being implemented. Party supporters will endorse this vision and act
accordingly.
Q: Do you think allegations of fraud against former UPFA
ministers, legislators and top officials have a bearing on the average Sri Lankan
voter who is focused on the next meal and bare necessities?
A: If such allegations are true, they should be
investigated. To me, these allegations appear to be politically motivated.
Those are deliberate attempts by the UNP to attack the SLFP-led UPFA and create
a fear-psychosis among public officials, through the FCID and the Bribery
Commission. During this short time, severe charges have been levelled against
the UNP, including the controversial Treasury bond issue. It is the
responsibility of President Sirisena to form a clean administration by
eliminating all corrupt elements.
Q: You have claimed that if former President Rajapaksa
contests from the UPFA as the prime ministerial candidate, the party will face
a huge defeat. What made you say this?
A: Former President’s decision to contest from
the UPFA ticket is a great strength to the party. Majority of the SLFP grass
root level supporters are in favour of him. It would be easy for us to carry
out our election campaign, with him.
In addition to the votes obtained by the SLFP at the last
Presidential Election, President Maithripala Sirisena has obtained 1.2 million
independent votes. We should attract those votes. Steps should be taken to
increase our minority vote base.
The decision taken to give nominations to the former
President would help to attract minority votes. This will help take forward the
‘Maithri’ vision.
Q: Have you planned your propaganda activities? Do you
have a new manifesto?
A: We are now drafting a manifesto. The only
fear was about a possible split in the SLFP. Now we don’t have such fears as
both factions have reached a compromise. We could secure a significant victory
in collaboration with leftist, progressive and other parties.
Q: In the event of a UPFA victory, will you still opt for
a National Ggovernment with the UNP?
A: We haven’t discussed it yet. We have no
satisfaction whatsoever of what the UNP has done during this short period in
office.
A serious doubt has been created about transparency and
accountability due to the Central Bank issue. It is best to obtain a clear
majority and form a stable government.
Q: You are said to be the author of a book on
‘saving the SLFP’. What made you do that?
A: Yes, I wrote that book. As politicians, we
should properly understand what happened to us at the previous election.
Otherwise, we can’t take the next step. I have also written the second volume
of this book. It is focused on the proper identification of victory and defeat.
Q: Are you confident of victory?
A: Of course. Now that the two factions are
unified and President Sirisena giving it fresh leadership, we are set to win.
We hope, former presidents, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda
Rajapaksa would also support the President’s endeavour.
We will work again with all the parties, including minority
political parties, to broaden or base. We should end fraud, waste and
malpractices. The President is committed to making these democratic reforms.
Q: Your house in Hanguranketa, referred to as a ‘palace’
was also the subject of investigation at some point. Were you not questioned by
the Police and the Inland Revenue Department, after you fell out with President
Chandrika Kumaratunga?
A: Yes. I was also taken to the Bribery Commission.
Following a bribery probe, I was freed from the allegations. Yet, another case
was filed against me. But the Bribery officials who investigated my case said
that I was completely cleared. Again, they petitioned the Appeal Court and that
too led to the cautioning of the Bribery Commission.
Later, they took up the case to the Supreme Court with the
intention of sending me to jail. But their plan didn’t work as I was completely
cleared. That is an unforgettable experience in my life.
Q: To many, ‘SB’ is a turn-coat who will always go
with the tide’ but turn away when danger lurks. Your comments?
A: I have a vision, principles and targets. At
present, our country has entered into the development path and that honour
should go to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
He put an end to three decades old war and that credit too
should go to him. But, during the same government, severe fraud, waste and
malpractices took place. Former President and top government officials should
also be held responsible for this.
I don’t admit to the charges levelled against the UPFA by
the UNP. Most of those are baseless.
There were some genuine mistakes committed by us.
We should rectify those shortcomings and move towards a new
goal.
Actually, I didn’t change my direction. I fell out with
President Kumaratunga and quit the party. But I have returned to my party. I am
very happy about President Rajapaksa’s decision to strengthen us.
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