by Wilson Gnanadass 

By Wilson Gnanadass

Following are excerpts; 

Q: What made you decide to leave the SLFP and join the UNP? 

A: To begin with, I joined the SLFP just one year ago for the sake of contesting the election. I did not have any knowledge of politics but I had one thing in mind; to serve the people. I had only 37 days to campaign and finally I was elected to parliament and made the deputy speaker. But later I decided to quit the party and join the UNP. You see, I thought to myself as to what I could tell the people if I had to contest again under the PA. This was a big problem for me. I had a lot of difficulties during the past one year. I have been in my electorate throughout. And the sad part is that I could not simply meet the requirements of those who elected me to office. The pressing problem was employment. Fortunately, I had a few friends who could find employment for those who did not have any in my electorate. 

On the other hand the government did not approve me of enlisting my people for government jobs. The answer given by the government was that there weren't sufficient funds. This is one problem. The other thing is that although I am from Polgahawela, I hadn't seen the entire Polgahawela until I became a politician. I saw that this area was in a pathetic state though only 46 miles away from Colombo. People kept on asking for roads, electricity facilities and tube wells. I was thinking how innocent these people are and I wondered what I could do with my decentralised budget. I used the entire money on Polgahawela. I was sad that I could not do much for my people. But they were thrilled when I got a huge playground done for them. There was a vast area of mash and I managed to get the place done with the help of the army.

One day I invited the army to have a cultural show there, the likes of which Polgahawela people had never seen. The army personnel who came to Polgahawella came to my residence and said, "Sir, we are ready to do anything for you but how do we have the show because the place is a piece of mash." So I told them this is exactly why I wanted them to come over there. Then they enthusiastically cleaned up the whole area. They did a splendid job. Apart from these few things I could not do anything big. Also the majority of soldiers are from Kurunegala. They are either still fighting or retired. So most of the solider families came and asked me for so many favours which I simply could not do. I was helpless and sad. Then I thought I was wasting my time. Because my experience and knowledge could not be utilised in the manner in which I wanted to use it. Finally I decided to quit the party knowing well I will not be able to get anything more than this.

Thereafter I planned to quit politics. By this time the Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had visited me at Polgahawela and had a chat with me. He was good enough to extend me an invitation. When I informed this to some of my friends, who were mostly PA supporters (not politicians) they in fact encouraged me to join the UNP. 

I took a great liking towards Mr.Ranil Wickremesinghe and I saw in him a vision for the country which prompted me to join him and work for the sake of the country. At this point I was relieved of a great pain of mind. Because when I was with the PA, I could not do much for my people. But now I have something to look forward to. Ultimately if nothing works well, I will resign and stay at home. I have a vision for this country and I need to fulfil it in someway. 

Q: You gave up a militarycareer before your retirement age to take up politics. Are you regretting your decision now? 

A: No. I have no regrets. I retired from the army on March 1, 2000, having completed 30 years and some months. I have been serving in most parts of the north and east and the most unforgettable experience if I may recollect is the Elephant Pass. Today it is a record that I am the only major general who served there for so many years. During this time I could keep 10,600 soldiers very happily. And I too was happy. Nevertheless, I decided to quit the army for very personal reasons. 

Let me tell you. There is a senior official in the army and he started to take revenge simply because of the fact that he was misbriefed by some other officials because I was the media spokesman. You know, when one becomes a media spokesman he becomes exposed in the media. And when these officials reported wrong things about me the senior official got carried away. He tried to do his maximum to cause me harm, so much so that he instigated an inquiry against me when I was the general officer commander in the east. The allegation was that I had used the public funds and the regimental funds amounting to 64,000 rupees during four months. That was February, March, April and May 1997. I must say that this is exactly how other officers have done. This particular official I am talking about, has done so many illegal things, and one day I will expose them. 

There was a ration fraud at that time and they got these officers to say that I wanted them to feed me and undercharge. But whatever the bill, I paid for it. For instance when I was at Elephant Pass, I ate the soldier's ration. In any case there wasn't anything else to eat. And this is what all the officers did. But this particular official whacked me based on this to tarnish my image. 

Then there was a court of inquiry comprising officers of his choice who had no experience whatsoever in the field. Finally, this official called me to pay this amount and I did pay. I paid this amount in instalments. Subsequently I was promoted and sent to the worst place in the army at that time, the most dangerous and the most strenuous - Elephant Pass. This particular official thought that I will die there. I think he underestimated my capabilities at that time. I must say this now that I am very much more capable than that man. 

Then I was promoted to the rank of major general. But after I was hurt, I thought it was not worth remaining in the army. And I quit. Now I am told that the soldiers who were there at that time with me are forced to tell certain things against me and I am also told that these same soldiers are going to come out with the truth. Not that I want them to, but they are going to do that. But this official that I am talking about has plundered millions of US dollars. So I am proud to say that the man who tried to accuse me said that I ate, drank and entertained friends to the tune of Rs. 64,000, within four months. That is why I asked for a re inquiry into this. Two months ago I gave a letter to the president. Nothing happened. Then again on October 7, I reminded her but so far nothing has happened. 

Q: As a career officer who rose to the rank of major general, what do you think of the war that is being conducted by Anuruddha Ratwatte, Lieutenant Colonel in a voluntary force promoted to the rank of general by his own niece, President Chandrika Kumaratunga? 

A: As a principle, I do not speak against anybody or any political party. This is why today I remain a free man. So I do not think I could talk about Anuruddha and the way he is conducting the war. But I have the right to talk of the war in which I have played a major role. We all know, even the world knows, that the execution of the war is unsatisfactory. I was horrified to learn about what happened to the Elephant Pass camp. When I was there it was like a kingdom. There were shopping complexes, we have sing-songs in the evenings, we had dinner parties and so on. So back at home when I learned about the fall of Elephant Pass I cried. Subsequently when Katunayake attack took place........I was shocked. Terribly shocked. I thought initially that there were about 1000 LTTErs who had come. Otherwise, I thought how could they have attacked a place like that? But, to see only about fifteen had come. So this is how the war is waged in this country. 

Q: Do you hope to be the deputy defence minister in a UNP government? 

A: No. Firstly, I want to help my area with the support of whatever government that is in power. I would like to get involved in civilian type of work. I would like to directly get involved in the lives of the soldiers. I want to help them and their families. 

Q: Your security was withdrawn after your announcement of quitting the party. Under what circumstances did you come to receive additional security from the president and how vulnerable are you now with the withdrawal of the security? 

A: Before answering the question let me tell you this. I was there at the President's House at a time when the decision was taken to dissolve parliament. That was around midnight and after that I left. I came back home and slept for awhile and I had to get back to parliament to clear my desk. I was using the same official car because I had no other vehicle. The previous day when I went the police there saluted me and let me go my way. But a few hours after the dissolution of parliament the police asked me to get down from the car and there was a body search done. The police asked for my identification card which I didn't have with me at that time. But in the meantime, the sergeant at arms had got to know this and he intervened finally and I was able to get access to parliament. I think an MP must be given access to parliament after he relinquishes office at least to clear his desk. 

Now let me answer your question. Well, when I retired from the army I quoted some of the letters sent by the intelligence officials regarding my security. The intelligence authority had warned that I was under the LTTE threat. So based on that the president was kind enough to provide me with security. Then when the security was removed from me, and when the army commander telephoned me, I told him that I am not entitled to security and that they should be withdrawn. I only wanted transport to send the men back to the base. And a bus was sent enabling me to send the security personnel back.

Q: The former Speaker is also reported to have told you he was going to join the PA and had tried to also dissuade you from joining the UNP before the dissolution of parliament. How would you respond to it? 

A: In fairness to Mr.Anura Bandaranaike, I must say that he did not prevent me from joining the UNP. He told me I could take any decision that suited me. 

Q: Do you intend contesting the general election from Kurunegala district?

A: Yes. The Kurunegala people know me and they made me feel that I could win the election. The people there did not seem to like the JVP pact with the PA. I can tell you this. Lot of PA supporters will be voting for me. 

Q: You were reported to have told the president recently that you will never leave the SLFP and that not even your dog would join the UNP. Is it correct and as an officer and a gentleman what made you go back on your pledge?