Govt. should learn to tolerate criticism: JVP

By Chandani Kirinde

JVP Kurunegala district MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in a wide ranging interview with The Sunday Times said the party supported the incumbent President at the 2005 Presidential poll since they considered him the lesser evil of the two main candidates.

The senior JVP member spoke on corruption in government, its inconsistent foreign policy and the country’s economic woes. Excerpts from the interview

Q. You have spoken a great deal about corruption in the government. How bad is the situation?

A. Fraud, corruption, waste and inefficiency are the biggest hurdles to development in our country. The recent COPE report illustrated the gravity of the problem. It investigated only 26 state run sectors of the 226 that come under its purview. The report said the loss to the country due to waste and corruption in these institutions alone was over Rs.15 billion.

Q. Two cases that were highlighted were, the urea tender deal and irregularities with regards to setting up of Mihin Air. The allegations have been limited to words but not enough pressure has been put on the government to act against those responsible.

A. As a political party we have a responsibility to follow up such allegations. That is why we have raised these issues in parliament. We have brought them to the attention of the people and in the future we contemplate legal action as well.
There is a tremendous responsibility on the government to act on the findings of the COPE report. The legislature has fulfilled its obligations. Now it is the turn of the President to act. Unfortunately he seems to be dragging his feet over the issue. The people are also responsible. Where are they economically today. Are they reaping the benefits of the development programmes, are their roads and schools being built. The answer is no.

Q. If the JVP was in government would things have been different?

A. Yes. Definitely. That is why we put forward a proposal with twenty points to join the government. Look at the people from the UNP whom the President took into the government. Don’t take my word as a JVP MP but look at the COPE report which is endorsed by members of every political party.

It is an independent report. The government did not take those who wanted action against corruption and fraud but those who are linked to corruption.

Q. The Report puts a great deal of blame on officials while politicians get off mildly? Can such massive amounts of money be siphoned off without the knowledge for example of a minister?

A. In many instances politicians have to take responsibility but in a number of cases officials too are involved. Our public officials need a back bone. Politicians come and go but officials are there for many years and it is upto them to stop transactions that take place in violation of financial regulations. Unfortunately we don’t have a strong public service. The service is highly politicised.

Q. What is your assessment of the economy? The Central Bank says the growth rate for this year is around 7.4 percent ?

A. The government says it is the fastest growth rate in 33-years. But we also have the highest petroleum prices on record, the highest inflation rate at over 19 percent, and the highest exchange rate against the US dollar and under this government we also have the highest interest paid on borrowings.

Giving rosy figures is not enough. What is the income of an average family? Is the income sufficient for the family to make ends meet? Our heath sector is in shambles and the infrastructure is the same if we were to break it down day by day. There has been no improvement in the lives of over 70 percent of our people living in rural areas. We can present more statistics to show the economy is on a decline than on a rise.

Q. What is your take on the foreign policy of the Rajapaksa government?

A. We are a small country so we need our friends in South Asia first and then in the rest of Asia. But because of this government’s polices we have lost our foreign friends, both near and far. By signing a defence agreement with the USA, we have caused tension among our neighbours. The government says different things to different foreign leaders to please everyone. It is like giving ministerial posts to everyone to please them. But in the long term you can’t please everyone.

Q. The government says it will present its proposals to the APRC. Will the JVP rejoin the APRC?

A. The British adopted a divide and rule policy in its colonies and, successive governments in Sri Lanka have done the same. Both the Sinhalese and Tamil leaders adopted racist polices for their political gain. The Tamil youth were denied many of their rights in the same manner that the Sinhalese youth were denied their rights. This led to armed struggle but the LTTE does not want to solve those problems through talks. It is the path they have chosen and not us. They have proved they are against all devolution of power proposals. While there is a war the real issues affecting the Tamils and Muslims must be addressed. There is no use devolving power unless there is development in the affected areas and there are more efforts to win over the hearts and minds of the people.

Q. Are you saying talks with the LTTE is a waste of time?

A. Yes. We have spoken for over 20 years starting from Thimpu in 1985. What we want is for the people who proposed devolution as the solution to this war to tell us how it is going to end the war. They say the proposals are for ordinary Tamil people but how is that going to end this war if the LTTE does not accept them. Does that mean the war will continue even after power is devolved? It is the same old recipe that has been tried and tested by all previous leaders but has failed.

Q. The JVP played a pivotal role in brining President Rajapaksa to power but since then the two have parted ways. What is the reason for this?

A. When the election was announced there were two choices. One was Ranil Wickremesinghe who wanted to become President to finish off what he had started as Prime Minister. These included granting the ISGA, privatisation of the CEB, Railways, and several other institutions. We wanted to prevent his victory. If we contested, that too would have benefited the UNP candidate.

At that time the present President too was in a helpless situation, because President Kumaratunga was not supportive of him. The SLFP headquarters remained closed during the entire election campaign. Many of the SLFP party men too were divided in their loyalties between President Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa. That is the time we decided to support him, not because he is good but because he was the lesser evil.

Q. Doesn’t the JVP have a responsibility to be in government of the President if they helped bring him to power?

A. Our decision to support him to win the election was different from the one to be a part of this government. It had to be a closer relationship. That is why we came with the 20 point proposal. It was while he was discussing this with him that the President sent a letter to Karu Jayasuriya to join the government. So we know there was no genuine interest in having us in government.

Q.It looked as if the JVP and thePresident were very close at one time? What was the reason for the falling out?

A. The reason is because if we were in government, many of the wrong doings taking place in the government now would not be happening.

Q. If the proposals were accepted would things have been any different?

A. Definitely. For one thing the cabinet would have been limited to 30 members. When we sent the proposals; we were willing to take responsbility and work for the country.

Q. There is talk of an impending election. Are you ready for an election?

A. We are ready for an election. We welcome elections because it is the time for us to test our party strength. But we don’t think it is opportune to have an election now particularly given the security situation. An election at this time will only benefit the LTTE.

Q. Are you satisfied with the manner in which the government is handling the war?

A. We cannot say we are fully satisfied. But it is the only area in which the government is acting according to the mandate it received.

Our benchmark for supporting the government is what benefits the country. And that is why we are supporting the government with regards to the war, but that is not to say there are no shortcomings.

The government must not use the war just to further its political agenda. That is what the government is doing to a certain extent. One weakness of this government is it cannot tolerate criticism. It must learn to tolerate criticism.