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Q: How do you adjust to the rapid transition from businessman and ambassador to politics as Chairman of the UNP?
A: I may not be quite political but I have been a member of the Presidential Commission on Privatization and Chairman of Sri Lanka's first privatised state venture. It was a presidential appointment. In 1992 I helped conduct the first international trade fair held in Sri Lanka as chairman of the organising committee. After I retired before my term as Ambassador I had been asked to join active politics but I refused though my urge to serve my country was great.
Q: What made you change your mind? Now you are in the midst of active politics as the Chairman of the main Opposition Party.
A: I have in recent times come to know Ranil Wickremesinghe well. I see in him somebody who is much more than a politician. In him I see a committed statesman who appeals to my own ideals and commitment to public life.
Q: Why did you feel so? Is it because of his youthfulness?
A: It was not that. He is a statesman who wants to professionalise politics. He is a committed man with a vision for the next century .
Q: Are you a figurehead or do your have executive powers?
A: Mr. Wickremesinghe is keen I should get involved in operational activities. For my part I like to keep a low profile and I will not indulge in platform politics. It is a challenging job and I like it but I repeat no platform politics for me. I am also a great believer in team work and I am assiduously developing a team spirit in the party. I like to involve everyone and use their talents.
Q: Did you ever have a desire to enter politics?
A: Never. As a young man my desire was to serve the country and the people by being a doctor. Instead I married a doctor. But I must admit that I always had a desire to serve my country.
Q: How is the UNP after 17 years in office now adjusting itself to Opposition politics?
A: We have a lot of talent combined with the experience of the seniors of our party. There is often talk that we are doing nothing. Let them talk. We are quietly building up the party by developing a second level consisting of youngsters who one day will have the responsibility of taking over the running of the country. Spurious criticism does not bother us. We are, believe me, very active though we are not seen at every street corner shouting slogans.
Q: In your view how is the PA Govt. faring?
A: We gave one whole year for the PA government to stabilise and carry out its promises. But many of the promises have not been fulfilled.
Q: What do you feel about the series of Commissions to probe alleged UNP misdeeds?
A: Mr. Wickremesinghe has stated clearly that anyone found guilty will not be tolerated. But so far not a single case has been proved.
We are not paragons of virtue. There were some wrong doings but for this you cannot taint the whole party. We want to correct ourselves wherever it is necessary and not repeat our faults.
Q: Your leader has promised new faces in the UNP but so far we have not seen many, yours of course happen to be one!
A: You will see a substantial number of new faces when the local elections come up. The leader has special consideration for the youth of this country and also wishes that women will be brought in to play a more dynamic role.
Q: Recently some old timers were dropped from the Working Committee and then brought back as advisors. Are there constraints in brushing up and revamping the party.
A: A lot of hot air has been blown and those who want to cause divisions within our party have blown everything out of proportion. These members still do attend Working Committee meetings and yes as advisors. They are still serving the party but in different capacities.
Q: Are your gearing for a snap general election despite denials by the President ?
A: We have to be prepared always. We are working upwards from the grassroots level.
Q: What are the priorities for the party?
A: I cannot disclose strategy. Party leaders are going all over and meeting the people.
We are training our cadres and strengthening team work. Every man has strengths and weaknesses We are utilising their strengths. We will go about our work methodically and not sporadically indulge in insulting those who are against us on personal levels. Politically in recent years there has been a marked tendency to insult opponents at a personal level. This sort of thing will never appeal to our people. They will judge a party by its performance.
Q: Businessmen and professionals are asking the UNP now to co-operate with the government on national issues. What is your view?
A: Our leader is prepared to co-operate on issues for the benefit of the country.. We are committed to the progress and welfare of the country. As for the devolution package we need time to study it. One thing is we will never subscribe to the idea of a traditional Tamil homeland. This we will not accept.
