National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa contesting under the UPFA from the Colombo district says the next parliament should have political stability in order to achieve development.
Mr. Weerawansa says the UPFA is confident of gaining a two thirds majority which will enable the President to make constitutional changes. Excerpts:
At the Presidential election the main campaign slogan was vote for the UPFA to show gratitude for ending the war. This time what is the theme of the campaign?
This time the election is being held under a different situation. Since peace has been restored, the country now faces the challenges of economic and social progress.
At the last Presidential election the President asked for a mandate to achieve economic and social development.
This time we are looking for a stable parliament which could achieve this. A two thirds majority will help to create this political stability. Political stability together with peace will deliver development.
Why do you think people should vote for the UPFA?
By ending the war without succumbing to international pressure the President displayed his bravery and his ability to take decisions. Bravery and ability to take decisions are both needed here onwards too to achieve development. Liberating the areas held by the LTTE is not sufficient, We have also to relieve the people of poverty. Corruption and wastage should be stopped. We have to rescue the people from unemployment and the burden of debt. The President has clearly stated that the cabinet would be restricted to 35 members.
You mentioned about the constitutional changes. What are the changes your party proposes?
Constitutional changes are needed to empower the citizens and also to strengthen the state. The Mahinda Chinthanaya proposes a ‘Jana Sabha’ system, which is a structure at the grassroot level. We also believe that the Constitution should state the maximum number of ministers. In the provincial council act the number of ministers are stated.
Therefore, it is important to have the number of ministers in the Constitution and ensure that there are no indirect methods of offering ministry portfolios to others. There should be a mechanism where administrative issues could be resolved. What the people want is not just flyovers, carpeted roads and concrete roads but also a qualitative change.
You suggested a qualitative change. How do you propose to eradicate bribery and corruption?
Bribery and corruption is not restricted to the state sector, but has spread to all areas. We need to change people’s attitudes, laws, and see to the implementation of laws. There is no use of laws if they are not implemented properly. We have already mentioned that in the next parliament among the first bills to be presented would be to prevent bribery, corruption and wastage. The Bribery commission will be reactivated soon after the elections.
You mean there will be a new mechanism to end bribery and corruption ?
It should be a new mechanism, but there is little use of having several mechanisms if they are not implemented. It should be a more powerful body. There should also be more transparency in the way the laws are implemented. For instances people believe that the law does not apply to certain influential people. This has to be stopped. If you punish three or four ‘big rogues’ corruption could be curtailed to a great extent.
Your party (NFF) members in Colombo as well as in the outstations are facing problems from the UPFA members.
Aren’t they?
Yes. Since the UPFA rivalry with the UNP has reduced it is now intra-party rivalry. In the outstations this is quite marked and in Colombo too there are incidents. It is unfortunate. It is unfair to confine the contest to a preferential vote battle. This election is important because it is the first time after the war concluded that there is an opportunity to usher in a stable government that could fulfil the wishes of the people. The members should be elected to suit the requirements.
But what is happening is Ranil Wickremesinghe is going around offering a Rs. 10,000 salary increase for public servants, the JVP is going behind the General Sarath Fonseka and the UPFA members are fighting for preference votes. The country is not getting what is required. The people should be given an opportunity to think and vote. This is unfortunate. We are trying to change this situation. In some districts our members have been attacked and we have complained to the President. This will be the scenario as long as the battle for preference votes lasts.
Do you hope to take over any responsibility in a future UPFA government, such as ministerial portfolio?
Definitely. The President has promised to restrict the cabinet to 35 members. I hope to take a responsibility in it and contribute towards the battle of developing the country.
What’s your message to the voters ?
Voters are knowledgeable. This is the first general elections after peace was ushered and I hope they elect the right people to Parliament. Even from the opposition, the people should not elect people who ridiculed the war. This is a chance for the people to elect a stable government to achieve speedy economic progress.
Do you believe the UPFA can get a two thirds majority?
Yes it is achievable for the UPFA. The UNP will end up with the lowest percentage ever received at an election. The number of MPs elected from the UPFA will be the highest ever gained from the preferential vote system.
As a former member of the JVP what is your prediction for the JVP?
My estimate is that the JVP will have two members in parliament including the member from the national list. They may have a marginal chance of returning one more member.
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