SL: RACISM IS GOVT.POLICY!.....FMR.FOREIGN MINISTER!!

A broad alliance is in the making


Mangala Samaraweera

SLFP (M) Wing Convener, Parliamentarian Mangala Samaraweera says that for the first time since independence, racism has become official government policy.

Samaraweera told The Sunday Leader in an interview that what is waged today is a political war in keeping with the political agenda of the present government and is being used as a smokescreen to divert attention from the inefficiencies and corruption of the present administration. He adds that the Rajapakse brothers are using the war and very cynically exploiting the blood, sweat and tears of the brave soldiers for their political benefit. Excerpts:

By Mandana Ismail Abeywickrema

Q: You have spoken about the importance of setting up an alliance. Has any progress being made?

A: Yes, I think so. Since highlighting the immediate need for an alliance to defeat the Rajapakse regime, there has been a massive response from different sectors of the public, and politicians. I feel there is a sense of goodwill for such an alliance, and all those people who are distressed by the present direction the country has taken. Taking into consideration this, they are more or less in agreement with my call for a broad, grand alliance for democracy. Also, what is more important is that the rank and file in the UNP and its parliamentarians are coming around to realise an alliance of this nature is needed to defeat the Rajapakse brothers.

Q: You say the UNP must stop being parochial and look to an alliance. What sort of alliance are you looking at and whom should it include?

A: It certainly must not be an alliance only to defeat the disastrous presidency of Mahinda Rajapakse, but also an alliance based on principles. If we are to counter the trend towards extremism and intolerance of the present government, we must have an alliance which is committed to liberal values.

Within such a context, the UNP under the leadership of Ranil Wickremesinghe can certainly take the lead in such an alliance, which then can harness all like minded political parties, groups and individuals. The role of minority parties within this alliance will be of paramount importance because the three year period of President Mahinda Rajapakse has polarised Sri Lankan society as never before.

The Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims are being divided and set against each other because of the war mentality cultivated by the present regime. Therefore this alliance will have to have a clear vision on how to heal the wounded nation and to bring back all Sri Lankans of different communities to live again in harmony and understanding.

Q: There is a war euphoria gripping the country and the people believe the war will be over soon. Do you share that optimism and if not, why?

A: Absolutely not because the Rajapakse brothers are using the war and very cynically exploiting the blood, sweat and tears of the brave soldiers for their political benefit. What is waged today is a political war in keeping with the political agenda of the present government. The war is used as a smokescreen to divert attention from the inefficiencies and corruption of the Rajapakse administration.

In fact, when I say it is waged according to a political agenda, a good example would be how the war was used during the provincial council election when members of the government and its kept press had even the audacity to claim that Kilinochchi was in sight and may even fall before the election.

On the day of the election, most government newspapers and media even claimed that they were 12 km away from Kilinochchi. That statement itself was utterly misleading because it was like being in Panadura and claiming to be only a few kilometres away from Colombo. What was even more curious is that nothing was heard afterwards of the army that was 12 km away from Kilinochchi.

In order to win the election, the government had sacrificed dozens and dozens of lives and almost doubled the number injured. I heard that 60 soldiers were amputated in one day at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital.

The government, especially President Mahinda Rajapakse and the two Rajapakse brothers tried to claim that the military had no military victories until they took reigns of government. In fact, a few days ago I saw brother Basil claiming in Moneragala that they will capture Kilinochchi for the first time in history in the near future.

Perhaps, Basil and Gotabaya are displaying their sheer ignorance of the history of our country because they did not live in our country during the more difficult days of the conflict. These Sinha flag-waving patriots left our country in the early '90s and exchanged even their passports to that of foreign countries. I would therefore like to refresh their minds by reminding them that the armed forces during the course of the war laid down many lives to secure victories at many battles.

November 1993 was the first time the east was liberated under President D.B. Wijetunge's term in office. It was in 1996 that the Jaffna peninsula was again brought under the Sri Lankan government at a time Pirapaharan and the LTTE had their headquarters based in the Jaffna Kachcheri. Also, during Operation Jayasikurui, Kilinochchi was also taken and was under government control for just over a year.

Therefore, to forget all these past achievements is an insult to the memories of thousands of soldiers who laid down their lives to secure these victories. However, the most important lesson from the past is that despite many significant and important victories in battles over the years, the war still continues.

To me, what is obvious from the experiences of our recent history is that a conflict of this nature, which is between two fraternities within the country cannot be solved by military means alone. In fact, I object to the use of the word 'war.' A civilised, democratic country cannot wage a war against a section of its own citizens however misguided their cause might be. We have to address the root cause.

In that context, the most potent resolution is a political solution, which will meet the general aspirations of the Tamil people. A power sharing agreement with an extensive devolution of power is an absolute sine qua non to bring this war to an end. If not our country has a very bleak future. At a time most of our neighbours are developing rapidly, Sri Lanka will end up in the economic, social and cultural dustbin.

Q: Politically is it not unpopular to go against this developing mood in the country especially since the people's mindset is now clearly militarised?

A: Whether unpopular or not, if one is a responsible politician it is their duty to inform the people of the truth and tell what is happening. The war is being sold and exploited and if we are to keep silent we will be doing a great injustice to those waging war for the leaders. Those dying daily in the jungles of the north in order to keep the Rajapakse project afloat are the poor rural youth.

Today dying for one's country has been made to be the exclusive preserve of the rural youth. First, if the Rajapakse brothers are serious about the war against LTTE, they must set an example like in other countries. We saw the US vice president candidate's son going for the war in Iraq, the two sons of Prince Charles in the British forces in Iraq, whereas the able bodied sons of the present ruling class of Sri Lanka are too busy making a nuisance of themselves in Colombo, London and New York.

The President has three able bodied sons and even the one who supposedly joined the navy to serve the country is now hibernating in the UK serving the British Navy. The Defence Secretary's son should also join the war effort without touting projects for Boeing.

The plight of the soldier is extremely sad. In order to disguise the number of casualties, the bodies of many soldiers who die are not even handed over to their parents and are listed as missing in action or deserters, which deprives the next of kin from receiving the relevant allowances.

When soldiers are injured, they are being sent in old CTB buses and not in ambulances in order to hide the truth from the general public. The compensation paid for soldiers is still Rs. 75,000 or Rs.150,000 for those married with children. The sum has not changed since 1978. Even the free bus pass facility, which was extended to soldiers during President Chandrika Kumaratunga's tenure, has now been withdrawn.

The welfare situation of soldiers has deteriorated drastically. The government however continues with its frivolous expenditure to sustain themselves. The money spent on the Mihin Air misadventure could have been used to pay a special allowance to the armed forces and the police. The money we spent for SAARC recently could have been utilised to improve the lot of these people. While this is going on the Army Commander does not see anything wrong in purchasing a Mercedes Benz for millions of rupees, which he could later take with him upon retirement.

He had also recently withdrawn Rs.20 million from the welfare fund to put up a gold fence in a Buddhist temple because his horoscope is supposed to be very bad at the moment. This is why I say it is a political and wasteful war, which merely takes away valuable Sri Lankan lives on both sides of the divide.

When certain people gloat over the number of deaths during this conflict, let us not forget for a minute that those who are dying in defence of our country and those fighting for a goal however misguided, are all our sons and daughters. Just as the soldier who comes from the poor homes in the rural part of Sri Lanka is one of our boys, the Tamil youth, who with a cyanide capsule around his neck fights for a misguided dream, is also one of our sons.

I dream for a day when these young men will be playing and singing together instead of killing each other in order to prop up the two leaders who are the only beneficiaries of the war today - Velupillai Pirapaharan and Mahinda Rajapakse.

Q: Do you believe like the JHU and the UPFA of which you were a prime mover that this is a Sinhala-Buddhist country and people of all other communities and religions must accept this reality and make the best of the given situation?

A: No. I should also say that although I was a prime mover in forming the UPFA, I was most probably the only one to stand on stage with the JVP and say that the devolution of power was the way to meet the grievances of the Tamil people. I said so in 2002 and 2003. I am also proud to say that when negotiating with the JVP, the late Lakshman Kadirgamar and I managed to bring the JVP to accept that there is another version on how to meet the problem.

In the 2004 manifesto, the SLFP said it was for the devolution of power and the JVP said it was for a unitary state. However, both parties finally agreed that the final solution was for the people to decide at a referendum.

No, this problem cannot be solved by looking at it with a Sinhala Buddhist perspective. The Tamil and Muslim people have genuine grievances. For all communities to live with dignity and honour, all these aspirations must be met, or else we can speak of a Sinhala Buddhist nation and continue in this manner and destroy our country. But if we are ready to leave behind the tribal fears and ancient apprehensions based on myths with a forward sight, to unite within diversity, Sri Lanka can achieve so much.

After all, this was the country that was hailed at one time as a possible Switzerland of the East and Lee Kwan Yew considered Sri Lanka to be a model for another country to build on. Yet 60 years since independence, other countries are way ahead gaining economic prosperity while Sri Lanka is still trapped in a vicious cycle of violence based on ethnicity, religion and party politics. Let's forget slogans. All right minded people must forget petty differences and come together to give the next generation of Sri Lankans the future they richly deserve.

Q: The President has said at the UN if the LTTE lays down weapons he will negotiate. Is there a need to negotiate with the LTTE if they are militarily defeated?

A: That is a contradiction of his own position. His brothers, the Army Commander and he himself says that the LTTE would be militarily defeated by the end of the year. Earlier it was said the war would be over by last April. But thinking of a negotiated settlement even at this late stage is most welcome. There must be a genuine desire on the part of the government to be generous and magnanimous in forging a settlement if the negotiations are to be successful.

Looking at recent examples, having pre conditions to negotiate with the LTTE is not practical. It is important to trap the LTTE to the negotiating table. The LTTE may not want to see an end to the war and as a result might find excuses to step away. That is why a positive and generous government is needed to call the bluff of the LTTE.

The government must also win the trust of the international community, which has now become isolated with the new 'shoot the messenger' policy of the government. During the last three years, the country has made a platform of making enemies with long standing friends. If the government is sincere about a negotiated settlement, it can still harness the support of the international community to return to the negotiating table. However, the Rajapakses are not sincere about a negotiated settlement and believe the speech may have been written to keep the international community happy and at bay while the President is in New York.

Q: Don't you think the President captured the imagination of the world and the Tamil people by speaking a few words in Tamil at the UN?

A: If saying a few words in Tamil could solve this problem, the world won't have any problems. That shows the immature and superficial way they look at the problem. The problem is not about the President not speaking in Tamil, but the people whose mother tongue is Tamil having a problem in speaking their language.

The Defence Secretary keeps saying Tamils in Colombo without any business should go back to their homes, forgetting that access to any part of the land is a right of every Sri Lankan. Tamils and Muslims are abducted. Tamils whether in the north, east or Colombo live in fear. These are what needs to be addressed and cannot be done by such superficial attempts like saying a few words in Tamil. It is patronisation of the worst sort.

Q: How do you see the registration of Tamils from the north and east in Colombo last week?

A: I think that is frightening. That is why I compared the direction of the present government to that of Nazi Germany. For Hitler to come to power it was the Jews and for Rajapakse it is the Tamils. In fact, Hitler, after coming into power in 1933 was to bring a law to register all Jews living in Germany at the time. It was then followed by the abduction and killing of Jews and the systematic annihilation of thousands of Jews.

Is this the direction for our country? Especially at a time when the country knows the white van abductions are carried out by yet another arm of the defence establishment, information collected in this manner could be used against the people. Of course there is the problem of LTTE terrorism, which must be dealt with, but it must be done in such a way that we don't push more innocent Tamils to Pirapaharan's arms by these various laws. The defence establishment must know how to meet the threat of terrorism without inconveniencing the innocent Tamil people.

Q: The Sinhalese from the south were never registered in a similar manner during the height of the JVP insurrection even though the city was virtually brought to a standstill with unofficial curfews. Does this not indicate that all Tamils are being treated as terrorists?

A: Not by the Sinhalese, it is the Rajapakse administration that is treating Tamils as terrorists. I believe Sinhalese are not racists because of our Buddhist history and background. The average person is tolerant. It is the ruling class that is using Sinhala Buddhism to justify their agendas.

In 1983, it was not the Sinhalese who went on a rampage. History has now shown it to be a well-planned pogrom carried out by some sections of the government. But this shows the thinking of the Rajapakse administration and also proves my point that for the first time since independence, racism has become official government policy.

Q: How do you think the direction by the Supreme Court for all concerned parties to finalise and implement the Constitutional Council will evolve?

A: All democratic minded people must applaud the Supreme Court because at a time Rajapakse is working to push Sri Lanka towards an autocratic state, the Supreme Court has had the strength to uphold democracy and the rule of law. The 17th Amendment to the Constitution introduced on October 5, 2001 was a landmark in constitutional and political history of the country.

Constitutionally, the 17th Amendment sought to balance the executive presidency by creating the Constitutional Council. As a political milestone, it was the first time in recent history that all parties buried their differences to pass the legislation. However, since Mahinda Rajapakse took office, he has cynically tried to kill the Constitutional Council, as he sees it as an infringement of his powers.

If the Constitutional Council was properly activated, he would not have been able to manipulate the police, the civil service and the election process like now. Even after all the names were nominated, he continues to refuse to appoint the Constitutional Council despite the act clearly stating the President has to immediately appoint the committee as soon as all names have been received. Not doing so is a clear abuse of power and in any other country with a parliament and members of parliament with backbones, this would have been a clear case for impeachment. However, timely intervention of the Supreme Court is much welcome by all those who cherish the democratic traditions of the country and is now awaiting the outcome.

Q: The government has admitted Mihin Air was mismanaged. You were the minister that introduced the cabinet paper for the formation of this company. Do you feel responsible for this situation?

A: Not at all, from the very beginning I was unhappy with the concept. I told the President that although a budget airline was a good idea, for the government to go to such a venture would be disastrous and unprofitable. I suggested the right to operate budget airlines be given to private companies and during my period as Aviation Minister we had short-listed three companies to operate such budget airlines from Sri Lanka. The President wanted all those licences to be stopped, as he wanted Mihin set up at whatever cost.

Obviously aware of my unhappiness for this proposal, I was sent a pre-prepared cabinet paper for my signature. I deleted some lines and presented it as a concept paper for cabinet approval. Perhaps this was also a reason that led to my removal shortly afterwards. Mihin is a shocking national scandal that has wasted national resources on a monumental scale and any future administration must go into this scandalous affair deeply and make sure all those involved in siphoning money from the EPF, ETF, the Airport and Aviation Authority and the Lankaputhra Bank should be dealt with for the misappropriation of public funds. Since the government is still continuing with the project, we are looking at getting legal remedies to stop this folly.

Q: Do you see a role for former President Chandrika Kumaratunga in the new alliance?

A: Former President Kumaratunga has clearly stated privately and publicly that she does not intend to come back to public politics and as a person whom I closely associate, I know it is true. But being someone with experience and recognition, Kumaratunga cannot stay in the background as a patriot and a leader who has spearheaded one of the most dynamic economies since 1994 till 2000.

I still believe she should play an advisory role in the present context. Her international connections are extremely valuable and is admired and respected in almost every country. At a time Sri Lanka is facing near international isolation, she will have an important role in rebuilding Sri Lanka's battered image.
courtesy:thesundayleader.lk