INTERVIEWS

“Federalism is the only solution” — D.M. Jayaratne

People’s Alliance (PA) General Secretary, D.M. Jayaratne says the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) has still not fully accepted the 2000 draft proposals and therefore discussions between the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) and the JVP are going on. However, he is of the view that all discussions between both parties are likely to end this month enabling them to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) early next month. Though he says he is not certain as to whether both the SLFP and the JVP could  come to a compromise on the ethnic issue, he feels that this could be sorted out through discussions. “Our stand is clear. We advocate federalism. We believe in equality. But I am not sure whether the JVP would accept our thinking. Anyway it is upto them,” he told The Sunday Leader in an interview. Following are excerpts:

By Wilson Gnanadass

Q: Both the SLFP and the JVP have been planning to enter into a pact for a long time. Has the SLFP signed the MoU with the JVP already?

A: No, not yet. The SLFP is still in the process of discussing various matters related to a possible alliance. It is not easy for a political party with a distinct ideology to coalesce with a party like the PA. So the discussions are still going on and I believe they will be completed by the end of this month. I think that by next month, both parties may be able to sign the MoU.

Meanwhile, once both the JVP and the SLFP arrive at an agreement, such an agreement would be submitted to President Kumaratunga and me for our consent as well. Thereafter we will place the MoU before the other members of the PA for ratification. So it is a long process.

Q: Why is the SLFP so keen to join the Marxists?

A: Today the UNP has got 113 seats in parliament. That is a little above 50 percent. The UNP received these seats due to the bonus votes it got at the last general election. So I believe when two or three parties get together, there is a bigger chance for getting more bonus votes. And this is why the SLFP and JVP want to get together to defeat the UNF government.

Q: Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapakse says he is not in a hurry to defeat the UNF, but other members are keen to return to power. Why?

A: You see, politicians may say that they are not in a hurry for power. But deep down in their hearts, the thirst for power remains. It is an indisputable statement I am making. It is natural for any politician from the opposition to mark time until he returns to power. Based on this, we are also planning to defeat the UNF. What I mentioned to you is based on simple human qualities but of course there are scores of other reasons why the UNF should be defeated.

Take for instance the peace process. We all know that the peace process is a big farce. We love peace but the manner in which the government is carrying on in this regard is highly questionable. The government and the LTTE continue to talk of infrastructure development. Whose responsibility is this now? It is the bounden duty of the state.

The state must help rebuild a destroyed city. The state must on its own rehabilitate the north and east, especially these areas after facing a war for more than 20 years. Why go to Japan and other countries to talk about this? This is what we can’t understand.

The government is also deliberately ignoring the issues related to power sharing. This is the most important thing that should be discussed, but it is not done. The government has also begun to sell all valuable and profitable state property. As a result the income that usually comes to the coffers do not come in the same volume. This exercise only makes the rich richer.

We also learn that the Samurdhi benefits to the poor people have also been pruned. This causes a big burden on the poor people of this country. Then look at the escalating cost of living. The salaries are stagnant while the prices are skyrocketing. Is it fair? A proper government must pay attention to all these issues.

The government has also increased fertiliser prices. This is, in my view, a heavy blow for the poor farmers. We understand that farmers are attempting suicide again. Then the crime wave. Never in history have we seen crimes at such a level. Today decent people can’t even stay at home peacefully.

So on the whole, the government has thoroughly mismanaged the administration and we feel a change at this time would be good for the country.

Q: Has the JVP accepted the 2000 draft constitution proposals, and if so, on what basis?

A: No. The JVP has still not accepted the draft.  The SLFP has been able see some commonalities in almost all other areas but it is only in this area that there seems to be a problem because of the JVP’s unwillingness to accept it in its entirety. But we believe the JVP will come to an agreement with regard to this as well. We are certainly not going to change our stance with regard to solving the ethnic crisis. I believe the JVP will also come along with us.

Q: How does the PA look at solving the ethnic crisis?

A: Our stand has been clear from the very inception. We believe in maintaining equality. We also don’t believe in power being emanated only from the centre. We were the first political party in Sri Lanka that advocated a federal system to solve the crisis and we still feel this is the only way this problem could be solved.

I am actually not sure whether the JVP will accept our position with regard to this but there are indications of willingness on the part of the JVP to accept a federal government to solve the crisis. We are still discussing it.

Q: Have you discussed electoral arrangements?

A: Not yet. This is another area which will need careful deliberations. I am not sure whether the JVP will agree to contest with us. This too is being discussed.

Q: Will the JVP agree to contest elections under the PA symbol?

A: No. There again I think we may have to have another common symbol. They may want to retain their own identity while we too would like to do that. In this situation there could be a conflict of interest. Therefore, I assume we may have to consider having a new symbol.

Q: Have you discussed this matter with other members of the PA? What do they feel about an alliance with the JVP?

A: We have not discussed the matter officially with other members. As I told you earlier, this part comes only after both parties finally agree to join. At that stage we have to consult other members. However, unofficially we have been feeling the pulse of the members and most of them seem to be supportive of this exercise. At the same time, certain senior members are also discouraging us from entering into a pact with the JVP.

They say the PA or the SLFP would lose its own identity. They also say such a pact would permanently seal the support hitherto received from the youth of this country. They explain that most of the youth may start to support JVP policies thereby forgetting ours. We yet have to discuss a gamut of things before becoming partners.

Q: Are you personally happy with the proposed alliance with the JVP?

A: I have advocated such alliances with all parties from the beginning. This is healthy for a country. In fact, the SLFP has always entered in to pacts with other parties. This has been our record, but it could also be disadvantageous to some extent

 For instance in taking a common decision, there could be divergent opinions that may prevent a party from taking a concrete decision. There could be delays in taking decisions as a result of this but with proper understanding we could overcome this. On the other hand, collective decisions could also be strong and long lasting.

Q: Are there any indications of President Kumaratunga dissolving parliament?

A: No. Everybody talks about it after she took over the Development Lotteries Board (DLB) from the government. The takeover of the DLB will not lead to the President dissolving parliament. The President in my view has taken over the DLB for good reasons. We learnt that the DLB was to be sold to a Norwegian company. This is why she had to act fast to bring it under her.

It was the late President J.R. Jayewardene who brought the DLB under the executive president. Thereafter other heads of state followed the same practice. But it was President Kumaratunga who handed it back to the government. When she learnt that the government was going to sell the DLB as well, she had no other option but to take it over. It is out of this fund that she is helping students, patients, war victims and other victims of natural disasters.

•  I know that I am fighting a losing battle, but win or lose...

I will wipe out corruption soon - Arjuna

"I know that I am fighting a losing battle. But my aim is to prove to the world, especially to the Sri Lankan cricket fans that as long as corruption prevails, Sri Lanka cricket will never surge  forward. I had an easy passage in Sri Lanka's last general election, obtaining approximately 100,000 votes after a three week campaign to become a MP. The Cricket Board presidential election is much tougher, for the simple reason that money can buy any Tom, Dick and Harry in this contest. It had happened in the past and it will repeat over and over again unless a fair and square election is held where the club members will refrain from selling their vote for money and other vested interests," said the former Sri Lankan Captain and People's Alliance Member of Parliament, Arjuna Ranatunga, the opponent of Thilanga Sumathipala in the forthcoming election for the post of president, Board of Control for Cricket (BCCSL) in Sri Lanka, in an interview with The Sunday Leader.

Ranatunga also went on to say that he does not have money like Sumathipala to buy votes and even if he had, he will never stoop low to occupy the Cricket Board president's seat by throwing money. Sumathipala has strongly denied Ranatunga's charges and said it was the rantings of a poor loser.

The whole world knows me as Arjuna Ranatunga, the Sri Lankan cricketer. I need not throw money to buy prestige and honour. I have already gained it. But I have a debt to pay back to Sri Lankan cricket. I am where I am now as a result of representing my nation for over 20 years and I intend to make it my duty to see that Lankan cricket will reach greater heights in the near future. To achieve it, the continuing corruption in the Cricket Board must be wiped out. Even if I am defeated at the June 6 BCCSL presidential elections, if I can convince the misled lot to refrain from accepting money to cast their vote to a person who will ruin Sri Lanka cricket, I will be satisfied.

Following are excerpts of the interview.

By Gamini Senadhira

Q: What are your chances against Thilanga Sumathipala in the forthcoming battle for the post of president, BCCSL?

A: It's going to be a tougher task than being elected as a MP. I gained close to 100,000 votes at the last general election after a mere three week campaign, but on June 6, I know that I will be in the losers camp.

Q: If you are not confident of winni ng, why do you want to contest?

A: My sole intention is to educate all who love  cricket, the way I do, that if the  Cricket Board is not stable, one cannot expect the standard of Sri Lankan cricket to improve. I have brought this matter up with Sri Lanka's President and the Prime Minister too and I am sure before long everybody will realise the mistake of electing a Cricket Board president who will only help those who bum him become rich, and spend the Board's finances on projects that will not add any muscle to the improvement of the standard of the game.

Q: The predictions are that you will not get even 10 votes?

A: Even if I get two, I will not be disappointed if my message is well accepted.

Q: You being the only appointed honourary life member of the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) since the late President, J.R. Jayewardene's appointment as a honorary life member, it is shocking to know that your own club too is supporting Thilanga Sumathipala. How do you feel about it?

A: Naturally I feel extremely sad about SSC's decision to support Sumathipala. But again I cannot blame the club nor the 7,000 members of the SSC. The decision was taken by the SSC's Exco of 16 members. I know that four of them genuinely supported me. The rest buckled under Sumathipala's gold mine. SSC is my second home, and if Sumathipala can influence the SSC what's the use of talking about other small clubs. But mark my words, I am determined to put things right at the SSC , the way I did with the Sri Lanka cricket team. I was handling a losing side, yet I guided them to win the prestigious '96 World Cup. This time I may be a loser at the BCCSL's presidential contest but I will assure one and all that before long the BCCSL administration will function sans any corruption.

Q: At the last BCCSL presidential election where thuggery ruled you and your brothers were in Sumathipala's camp. What made your family fall out with him?

A: Yes, though I was not personally involved in the election campaign, as I was representing  my nation as a cricketer we supported Sumathipala despite his opponent being Sri Lanka's President's uncle, Clifford Ratwatte. Mind you, my father too was a minister of President Chandrika Kumaratunga's government. My brothers, Prasanna and Dhammika were vice president and CEO respectively of the BCCSL during Sumathipala's regime. But when we became aware that Sumathipala was drifting out of track and was not ready to heed our advice to put things right, we decided to bow out.

Q: Is it true that you have predicted that the government will crash within the next two months and then you will take over as sports minister and dissolve the new board and establish an interim committee?

A: I read this in your last issue. To be truthful, I am clueless about the date and the time that the present government will crash. As a matter of fact, I am not sure whether it will topple or not. I think Sumathipala is not sure of his government's life span and must be having jitters about his future as president of the Cricket Board if this actually happens. You will definitely hear more and more made up stories from Sumathipala's camp before the elections.

Q: The Secretary, Amparai District Cricket Association, Sidath Liyanarachchi has stated that you phoned him and said that the government will topple soon and then you will assume duties as sports minister. You will then desolve the newly elected cricket board and reappoint an interim committee. How true is Liyanarachchi's statement?

A: Yes, I spoke to him regarding the vote. In fact, not only to him but I spoke to many about the vote but I did not mention about a change of government or becoming the sports minister. However, the fact remains that I also spoke to him after reading The Sunday Leader article last week and he point blankly denied that he had made a statement to that effect.

Q: The Secretary, Colombo District Cricket Association and President, Lanka Cricket Club, Bandula Dissanayake too maintains that you had also rung him up and blamed him for pledging his support to Sumathipala and accusing him of being a  dishonest man and that he will mess things up if he is given the opportunity to be president of the BCCSL again?

A: When I spoke to Bandula, he said that he very well knows that I genuinely want to work for the interest of Sri Lankan cricket but as Sumathipala has done many favours  for him he just could not go against him. Another member of a Wayamba District Club whose name I do not want to disclose, without any hesitation said that earlier he had only a push cycle but now he owns land, houses, vehicles and a healthy bank balance thanks to Sumathipala, so he just cannot dream of working against him. There were also quite a number of club members who asked me with no hesitation whatsoever how much I can pay for their vote. Needless to say I was totally disgusted.

Q: You haven't named nominees for other posts as Sumathipala has done, in case it happens that you emerge the victor at the election. Why?

A: Though a solid team of administrators are willing to back me up, I did not push it, knowing very well the consequences that they will have to face if Sumathipala becomes the president. So, I decided to go alone and see what happens.

Q: Do you approve of the high profile corporate sector administrators such as Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Asitha Talwatte, Riyaz Mihular, Ajith Gunawardena, Ajith Devasurendra and Lal Nanayakkara who have been picked to assist Sumathipala to handle the affairs of the BCCSL, especially the finances, smoothly?

A: Yes, they are a capable lot. But they will have to keep their eyes open and scrutinise every single move  that Sumathipala makes. If they are not careful, they too will lose their credibility.

Q: Do you feel bad about Aravinda de Silva being in Sumathipala's camp after being so close to you in and out of the cricket arena for a long time?

A: I have great respect and regard for Aravinda - as a cricketer and as an individual. He has the right to do as he wishes. But before his retirement from cricket, he said he needed more time to spend with his family. Being involved in the affairs of the BCCSL, I very much doubt whether he will find the time to spend with his family the way he desired. Anyway his expertise as a renowned cricketer will definitely be a great boon to Sri Lankan cricket.

Q: As an illustrious Sri Lankan captain who led the nation to a World Cup triumph in 1996, what advice can you give the national team to improve their current pathetic standard in the international cricket scene?

A: One must not just blame the captain and the team for poor performances. Did Marvan Atapattu get the best outfit to play in the current tri-nation tournament where the Lankans were pushed out of a final on home soil after 18 long years? I have not seen anyone pointing the finger at the selectors for not selecting the deserving players to battle in this series. During our early days, the competition to earn a national cap was rather tough. But now those from powerful families and are stuffed with money can nudge out the poor talented cricketers who truly deserve a place in the national squad. With regard to a national coach, why search for foreign ones when we have extremely competent past national cricketers who are equally capable of doing a solid job as coach?

Q: How do you view the appointment of two captains for one dayers and tests?

A: If a captain is not capable enough to handle both the shorter and the longer versions of the game, he should not be appointed to lead either side. Dulip Mendis, I, Aravinda de Silva and Sanath Jayasuriya captained the 50 overs and the five day games. My personal view is that it's silly to have two captains, let one handle both.

Q: Sumathipala at his recent press conference said that he will be happy to have your services to improve the standard of Sri Lankan cricket if you are willing to work with him once he becomes the president of the BCCSL. Will you work with him?

A: I have my principles. Even if I am penniless I will not work with such a character. I was brought up in that manner. Sumathipala has been accused of many a wrong doing. He must first clear his name, before occupying the president's chair of the Cricket Board. If he wins, the best thing he can do to Sri Lanka cricket is to offer me the chair and bow out gracefully.