RISING STAR OF SRILANKA: SAJITH PREMADASA!!! NEXT PRESIDENT OF SRILANKA!!!???

'Mangala is a good and talented politician'


Sajith Premadasa

'I am taking on theRajapakse regime'

The UPFA administration has an abysmal record with rampant corruption and economic mismanagement at peak level claims UNP Hambantota District Parliamentarian Sajith Premadasa.

In an interview with The Sunday Leader, Premadasa spoke in support of the formation of a broad coalition to defeat the government and said it was important to strategise and come up with the most people friendly policies and programmes that could achieve national objectives.

He added he would perform better if given more party responsibilities, but said it is a decision for the party hierarchy and more importantly, for the masses to decide what position he should politically reach. Excerpts:

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Q: What are the UNP's chances of winning the two provincial councils?

A: We will always go into an election with victory as a target, not defeat or setback. Achieving victory through perseverance is our objective. It is going to be a hard task for other reasons.

The truth is that it is going to be extremely difficult to achieve this objective, given that the government would utilise all of its privileges, perks and resources available to them to secure victory. But whatever the obstacles that may be put in our path, the UNP is the single largest party in Sri Lanka and one of the strongest political forces in the country.

We will garner our resources, use our energies and capabilities to ensure that the party is victorious at all elections, not just the forthcoming two provincial council elections. Soon there will be more provincial elections, a general and even a presidential election.

As a party, we are capable of winning any election. We are able to harness the most important resource we have, the party membership. We are capable of galvanising the average citizen too.

What is now important is to have the party organisation properly structured to face any eventuality. Our eventual objective is the party victory.

Q: You spoke about the UNP's ability to win elections. But why do we get the impression that the UNP is indeed incapable of winning elections?

A: My perspective is different. I think the UNP is the party that can make the country victorious and able to usher in peace and prosperity to all sections of society rather than an exclusive group of people.

I sincerely believe that whatever impressions the party may have created as stated by you, we have strong ambitions about attaining political victory at all elections, and that's for the purpose of serving the urban and rural masses of Sri Lanka.

Q: Would you agree that a contributory factor to the UNP's many defeats might be the prevailing war hype?

A: I certainly agree that there is a good impression that is created specially among the Sinhala Buddhist majority regarding the war effort. That is something that cannot be hidden.

But we as a party, should impress upon people that we stand for territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence of our country. We also have to impress upon the people that pure 24 hours, 365 days, and seven days a week war mongering won't achieve national objectives or meet tasks.

We as a party are fully in favour of eradicating terrorism, but we also say unequivocally, that it is not the sole purpose of governance.

While protecting the country as a whole, a government should assure that military policies and economic policies go hand in hand to ensure that the 20 million inhabitants of this island are well served by the rulers. The governed should be effectively served. That's the sole purpose why they elect us.

That's the UNP's call and we are a patriotic party. By patriotism, I mean the true meaning of the word which is a responsibility to defend and protect the country's sovereign status, using all strategies and policy instruments to eradicate terrorism whilst ensuring prosperity to all people. That's patriotism to me.

Q: Does the return of Karu Jayasuriya give the party a boost?

A: I certainly hope so. We should further encourage those who have left us to rejoin us. That's my sincere belief. I was one of the vociferous proponents, a person who strived to keep those who eventually left our fold with us. Some in our party said: let them go. I sincerely hope that Mr. Jayasuriya's return to his own fold will have a favourable impact.

Q: So you believe doors should be kept open for the defectors to return?

A: That's something I have maintained all along, for which I have been vilified, ridiculed and blasted. As my father said, truth has prevailed. They left us in 2006 and about two years later, truth has prevailed with Mr. Jayasuriya's return.

Q: Your name was nominated for the post of UNP deputy leader. What made you publicly offer it to Karu Jayasuriya?

A: That I must say is a misquote. I never offered anything to anyone. What I stated was incorrectly put, but I am not blaming anyone. What I said was that if the UNP decides that Karu Jayasuriya is the most suitable person for the deputy leadership that I would respect and abide by the party decision. That's what I said.

For me to make any sacrifice, I never had the post in the first place.

I must say though I am considered one of the contenders, I never applied. I never submitted an application. It was my colleagues and senior parliamentarians who took the initiative to submit my name.

I want to make my position crystal clear here. What I did say, as a good servant of the UNP was that I would abide by the party decisions. I believe, the party is far greater and important than the whims, fancies and urges of individual politicians.

Q: How do you rate Mahinda Rajapakse's administration and its performance so far?

A: Abysmal. That's a good word, as I don't want to waste time. When you look at economic mismanagement, corruption, violation of the rule of law, human rights, economic and social rights of the people of Sri Lanka, I think the record has been abysmal.

Let me give you some examples. Take housing. The government has allocated a minuscule amount for housing despite the county's dire need for housing. But it has the audacity to allocate Rs. 6 billion for the failed Mihin Lanka project despite an original loss of over Rs. 3 billion.

While there are homeless both in the urban and rural areas of our country, while the shelter strategy of this country has gone to pieces ever since the demise of my father, the homeless issue has not been taken seriously.

There are two million household family units without their own housing. It is a massive problem, especially with rapid urbanisation. But, revival of a failed project at the cost of Rs. 6 billion became a priority concern.

Take another example. Malnutrition among pregnant mothers and children here is high. There is 30% anaemia among pregnant mothers. We have huge problems with regard to nutritional standards that result in multiple health problems. Low birth rate, waste and stunting are the common indicators and in all three, Sri Lanka is way behind. Our record is nothing to be proud of.

When you take 6-11 month olds here, some 58% of that group suffers from anaemia. Likewise, among the 12-24 months group, another 13% suffer from anaemia.

What has the government done? Has the government designed a national nutrition policy to ensue a healthy future generation? These are huge anomalies in our society.

They are maintaining a mammoth cabinet spending vast amounts of people's money to ensure that the governors of this country have a cushy life to the exclusion of all else. I certainly think this is a totally incompetent and impotent government in dealing with major issued faced by the people of Sri Lanka.

Q: Often when you speak, one to one, you express strong views and ideas. But why is it that Sajith Premadasa's vision and ideals are less communicated to the public, barring some election speeches and the occasional parliamentary interventions?

A: To be honest, I have not spoken too much in parliament. If you take electoral platforms, during the NCP and Sabaragamuwa PC elections, I did the highest number of meetings, over 200. In those fora, I spoke my mind. During the budget debate, I made two speeches.

I certainly don't go searching for platforms to make speeches. I want to speak well when I speak. I don't wish to speak for the sake of speaking. I spent six days on each speech to prepare those speeches, researching, learning and compiling. I write my own speeches. I don't want to sound ill informed and I want to be thorough when I speak.

If you go through the Hansards and check the content of my speeches, you would agree that they contain something for everyone to ponder over and learn from. Perhaps that's why I don't speak too often, but when I do, I speak hard facts.

Q: Do you subscribe to the view that the government be allowed to prosecute the war the way it is now done with no emphasis on human rights?

A: That's a very tough question. Terrorist organisations are sub national or non-state actors. The government is a state actor. Governments and states are subjected to rigorous scrutiny, they have to perform within very legalistic frameworks. But the same standards don't apply to separatist movements.

Having said that, I certainly believe that human rights have to be upheld, war should be prosecuted in a just and fair manner to the maximum possible level ensuring minimal harm to civilians and communities. Having said that, I know it is very very difficult.

I am saying this because I saw with my own eyes how the 1989-1990 JVP insurrection was curtailed and controlled. The processes that were implemented were not to my liking. They were horrendous to be honest. There was a huge international outcry. Yet, the insurrection had to controlled.

If not, the JVP would not have entered the mainstream. I am happy that they use the ballot rather than the bullet to express their political thinking now. If not crushed, even today, there would have been anarchy if the situation was allowed to continue. That's why it is a difficult question to answer.

Having said all of the above, I would add that it does not mean eradicating the war could be treated as a license to go for a free for all. That won't work. That's not correct, not humane and not acceptable. And I am happy that I don't have to make that decision, because it is a very difficult decision to make and you are walking on a tight rope.

Q: You are being accused by some quarters of not being a party man but a self promoting politician collecting money for 'Jana Suvaya.' What's your response?

A: Jana Suvaya is a programme that is catering to the grievances of all sectors in Sri Lanka. It is designed to serve the people, for I know the true meaning of politics. It is a vehicle to ensure that I bring about light to those in darkness.

I have established this institution, and I seek local and foreign assistance. Donors have assisted my projects.

Just because I implement people friendly, pro-poor, pro-common man projects, others need not feel jealous. I am serving the people without the perks and privileges of being in government.

Also, individualistic programmes have been implemented by many a politician. Take my father, Ranasinghe Premadasa. His Gam Udawa and Jana Saviya immortalise his name. Take Lalith Athulathmudali and his Mahapola or Gamini Dissanayake's Mahaweli. Our Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe engineered the Yovun Pura programme to help the youth. There is absolutely nothing wrong in having such programmes which are formulated and geared to cater to the needs and wants of the average citizen.

This emphasis on individualism is brought about by politicians who cannot do what I can do. I sympathise with them.

Lastly, take Sajith Premadasa as an individual. If one is accusing me of too much individualism, how do I enter the electoral process? I enter it as a UNP candidate. So before electing me, they vote for the party. So I work within the party confines.

At the end, I think my programmes are beneficial directly and indirectly to the party itself and enhances out collective vote. Especially in a district like Hambantota where I have to compete with the Executive President of the county and powerful ministers with many a mega project being implemented.

Actually the question should be, how does Sajith Premadasa survive in Hambantota politically? I did not switch electorates because the President represents Hambantota. I could have taken Colombo Central with its automatic, strong, stable and green vote bank. I think that particular criticism is unfair.

Q: Within the UNP structure, where do you think your rightful place is? Have you worked hard enough for the UNP to qualify for a higher rank?

A: I have no God-given right to come to position A, B or C within the UNP. It is a party decision.

Q: But surely you aspire for higher office within the UNP?

A: Of course I do and I have never hidden my aspirations. In many an interview with you too, I have expressed my desire to reach the top. I have never hidden that.

However, that is not my sole decision. That is a decision for the party and also for the masses. They decide my political future. I leave it to them.

I do believe that if given an opportunity, that I can serve people better. But irrespective of whether I get positions or not, I will work the hardest until I shed the last drop of my blood to make our party victorious.

Q: There is an impression among some that you are somewhat fearful of taking the fight to President Mahinda Rajapakse specially with regard to issues of corruption?

A: If one observes what happens in the media especially in private television channels, this accusation would not have come. If anyone says that I am unwilling to take on the Rajapakse administration, then why am I remaining in Hambantota?

Go through the political history of our country. How many politicians have shifted electorates? I don't mean to insult or judge my father, but even he shifted from a leftist Ruwanwella seat to Colombo Central, a good UNP seat.

There are many other politicians who did the same. I don't want to mention names. People know who they are.

I am taking on the Rajapakse regime in the best way possible in a way it increases the UNP vote bank.

I hope to take them on in parliament during future parliamentary debates, now that I have been encouraged by the party leadership to speak more. I seem to enjoy it but it will be time consuming because I invest a lot of time in preparation.

To those critics, I say kindly go back to the 2001 elections. What happened to Sajith and Jalani Premadasa? The amount of violence and mayhem we faced? There was a killing spree. I never said I couldn't handle Hambantota because the Rajapakses are there and I never looked for an alternative electorate. That too therefore is an unfounded accusation.

Q: As a Sinhalese representing a predominantly Sinhala Buddhist area, would you say that the minorities also have a right to consider Sri Lanka their home. If yes, why have we not heard your voice?

A: Certainly. Only you have to look at the example my father set. I am his carbon copy in this respect. Father treated every ethnicity and people of all religious persuasions, all castes the same. They all have to live in one country. We are all Sri Lankans.

I am a very staunch, strong patriotic person. But I am not a Sinhala Buddhist racist.

Q: The UNP is negotiating with the SLMC, SLFP (M) and WPPF to form a broad alliance with a view to contesting future elections. In your opinion what should be the basis of a broad alliance?

A: I for one has always supported and proposed the formation of coalitions. It makes very good political sense. There are a lot of good and talented politicians such as Mangala Samaraweera. If I may add, his talents were acknowledged by me way before he left this government. There again the truth prevailed, at last.

I think all sectors who are capable of making Sri Lanka prosperous and peaceful should mobilise into one political movement.

What we should do is to ensure that our agenda, our party programmes and our polices address the needs, wants and grievances of the common person, the average citizen. These programmes should address rising inflation, economic downturn, unemployment, rural development and the economic stagnation that would set in.

Our agriculture, technology, industrial and educational policies should be formulated, garnered and harnessed in a way that our national objectives could be achieved collectively. It is certainly a positive process.

As far as the symbol is concerned, I must add that I have a deeply sentimental attachment to the elephant symbol. I still feel this symbol is largely the way to go.

Q: Is your belief based on sentiment? There have been instances where the party symbols have been altered to accommodate coalitions and done so successfully here?

A: My attachment for the most part has been for sentimentality and also looking at the fact the way UNP supporters show attachment for this symbol.

Q: They still vote for their party, as in the case of the CMC?

A: I don't know. I can't answer. I do have a concern about their political expression in the event of the symbol being changed.

I have not done scientific research on this to prove my point, but my strong feeling is that the loss of the elephant symbol might cost some votes or complicate or create damage. No damage should be created in our victorious political path, and that's my point. We can simply do without that complication.

The UNP and its coalition partners should instead concentrate on policies and programmes that could immediately send this dastardly government home.

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