JHU:
No devolution, middle-path economy
Monks outline basis on which they
will back govt.
By Santhush Fernando
The Jathika Hela Urumaya said yesterday it would offer conditional
support to sustain the new UPFA government in the hope that the
JVP policy of decentralisation instead of devolution of power would
be implemented and the facilitation by Norway ended.
In
an interview, JHU Propaganda Secretary Ven. Uduwe Dhammaloka Thera
said the JHU, like the JVP, would also push for a middle-path economic
policy with the emphasis on agriculture and related development
plans like the restoration of 30,000 wevas.
Excerpts
from the interview:
Q: Why did your party change its position and decide to
support the UPFA?
A: We have to bow to the mandate of the people who have
elected the UPFA to office. Besides, the UPFA has agreed to back
our programme for a Dharma Rajjya. We believe we will be able to
correct the UPFA if it takes wrong decisions.
Q:
But, your party had categorically stated that it would not support
either of the main parties in parliament.
A: We will remain independent. The memorandum of understanding
among the six Bhikkus of the Supreme Sangha Council clearly states
that we should remain independent and not align with any political
party. We don't want any cabinet portfolios. We will support the
UPFA as long as it takes correct decisions - decisions taken in
the interest of the country. The UPFA made many promises to the
masses. We will insist that it must fulfil these promises. So we
are prepared to make any sacrifice, even sacrifice the salary we
will receive as parliamentarians.
Unlike
the earlier opposition, we will support the government on the merits
of the issue at stake. Even in the event of a no-confidence motion
against the government, we will stick to this principle and decide
whether the reasons are valid.
Q:
Then what about the North-East issue? Your party's policy on this
issue is different from that of the UPFA.
A: The position of the JVP, a main constituent party in
the UPFA, is the same as ours. Our policy is that administrative
structures and powers should be decentralized within a unitary state,
as opposed to devolution of power within a federal state. Federalism
is a mechanism to bring together several independent states as in
the case of the United States. Such a mechanism is totally inappropriate
here as Sri Lanka has always been a unitary state.
Q:
If the UPFA compromises its position and pushes for a federal solution,
what will be your response?
A: I do not think the JVP will abandon its position and
allow that to happen. We rely on the JVP to confront such a situation.
Our position is that there is no ethnic problem in this country
as more than two thirds of the Tamils live outside the North-East
and they live peacefully among their Sinhala and Muslim brethren.
We believe that methods appropriate to our country should be taken
into consideration when a new constitution is framed.
Q:
What is your party's policy with regard to the peace process?
A: We totally reject the present peace process as we believe
it will only lead to the division of this country. We also reject
the facilitation of Norway because it is partial towards the LTTE.
Q:
Why do you reject Norway? Do you propose any alternative?
A: Norway was the only country, which opposed the proposal
to make Vesak an international holiday, when even hard-line Muslim
states voted for it. We would be glad if an impartial country like
India gets involved in the process.
Q:
How do you expect the peace process to move on?
A: Our position is that whatever view each party holds,
the peace process must be conducted in a fair manner. We believe
that all parties should sit at the negotiation table. It should
not be confined to the government and the LTTE alone as it had been
the case in the past. The opposition, the Anandasangari group, the
EPDP and the Muslims should be included in the talks. The South
African peace process succeeded because all parties were involved
in it. We also believe that there should not be any compromise on
the territorial integrity of the country and this principle should
form the basis of any negotiations.
Q:
The LTTE has insisted that its proposals for an Interim Self-Governing
Authority (ISGA) should be accepted as a basis for negotiations.
Do you accept this?
A: The Tigers have their right to submit any proposals.
But the integrity of the state should not in any case be compromised.
In such an event, we will use our utmost force to defeat it.
Q:
Don't you agree that there are problems faced by the Tamil people?
A: We agree that the Tamil people are facing problems.
But these problems are largely due to the myopic policies of the
politicians who did not have a proper national plan, especially
with regard to agriculture. We also believe that the people of the
North and East are against war.
Q:
What is the economic policy of the JHU?
A: We are neither for the unbridled open economy nor for
a closed economy. We promote a middle-path economy. As I said, we
should implement national plans for agriculture and industries to
safeguard the interests of all, not only the North and East. We
have a national plan and we will begin its implementation with the
reconstruction of 30,000 tanks. We also have a plan to make Sri
Lanka self-sufficient in milk and agricultural products that could
be grown in Sri Lanka.
Q:
What are your plans with regard to the Buddha Sasana?
A: We will be holding a Sangha Sangayanawa -- an interdenominational
council -- with state patronage to unify the Bhikkus. We will also
strongly push for legislation against unethical conversions and
call for the appointment of an independent commission to probe the
death of Ven. Gangodawila Soma Thera.
Q:
How do you wish to function in Parliament?
A: We will act as advisers to MPs. We will request the
Speaker to appoint a commission to deal with disciplinary matters.
We will propose a new constitution. But we will insist that the
constituent assembly should consist intellectuals as well.
Q:
What are the salient features of the JHU's constitutional proposals?
A: The powers of the President to intervene will be restricted
other than in important matters such as national security and Buddha
Sasana. A Bhikku council, on par with the office of the President,
will be appointed to advise on matters with regard to the state,
Buddha Sasana and culture. We have already agreed upon proposals
with regard to the territorial integrity of the country, the place
of Buddhism and the independence of the three Armed Forces and the
Police.
Q:
What is the JHU's view with regard to the country's foreign policy?
A: We will strengthen our relations with Buddhist countries,
while maintaining friendly links with the Western countries as well.
Q:
How do you hope to select the nine JHU members who will finally
sit in parliament?
A: Before the elections, we decided that apart from the
six Supreme Council members, others will make way to accommodate
other Bhikkus on an annual rotation basis. As you know the Bhikkus
who contested in the elections have, on their free will, given undated
resignation letters in the interest of the party and the Bhishuthwaya.
This is also the reason why we did not campaign for the preferential
vote.
Q:
Ven. Aparekke Pannananda Thera who resigned during the campaign,
has also won a seat from the Gampaha District. How will you deal
with his case?
A: He resigned after falsely accusing us of money swindling.
But now he wants to come back as he has won a seat on preferential
votes. We will not allow this, as he had turned against us.
We
also believe that he joined the JHU with the intention of tarnishing
its image. We don't want anyone who is a pawn of politicians.
Q:
Why did you offer TULF leader T. Anandasangari, who failed to secure
a seat, a place on the JHU National List?
A: Mr. Anandasangari is a realistic Tamil politician, unlike
the others in the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) who are pro-LTTE.
What happened to him was unjust. The JHU believes that he should
be given a chance to express his views in Parliament. |
