INTERVIEWS

moment, it is a great achievement for the government and the LTTE in Sri Lanka to have for one year ensured an atmosphere free of bombs and deaths in conflict. The 'father of the suicide bomb' who used to have  last supper with the bomber is now sitting with us and having supper, thinking of a new path. I think it is truly remarkable. When the chief theoretician of the LTTE, Dr. Anton Balasingham said in an interview to Sunday Observer on December 1, "we recognise Mr.Wickremesinghe as the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka and that secession or a separate state will come only as a last resort and also that it will not be necessary if true regional autonomy is achieved," I must say Sri Lanka has become a role model for every country in the world.

Q: In your opinion how did the international community view Sri Lanka before you took over office as foreign minister?

A: We had a bad image. The PA's main thrust of policy was not to settle this matter through peaceful negotiations but by aggressive war and conflict. For example when the LTTE began a unilateral ceasefire in the year 2000 there was absolutely no response from the PA government. In fact the then foreign minister encouraged war through Agni Keela. The LTTE Chief Prabhakaran in his 'Heroes' Day' message has lamented the fact that the PA had rejected their overtures. The whole world put us in the category of a war torn country. Investment and tourism had dried up. In fact our rate of growth was below zero. By dubbing the United Nations as 'only good enough for malaria control' and blocking even some of their appointments like that of UNHCR's representative Mr.Wright, and also barring the possible selection of Jayantha Dhanapala for the UN secretary general's post, the former foreign minister isolated himself and more unfortunately the country.

Ranil Wickremesinghe turned this madness to sanity. We will have another go in 2006 at the UN secretary general's post and I will be Sri Lanka's nominee.

Q: Are you satisfied with the aid package promised to the country by donor countries during the recently concluded Sri Lanka development forum meeting?

A: It is a beginning. The most important thing about Oslo was that the LTTE was in association with the government in its appeal to the donors. There will be more donations when the donors meet in Japan. But more than donations the more important thing is the very likely prospect of the inflow of investment and tourism in the wake of peace. The people in the south have already benefited through this. For instance my Moratuwa carpenters have re-established a roaring trade with the north.

Q: What is your personal opinion about the change of attitude of the LTTE?

A: I think it is very welcome and very realistic and statesmanlike. Prabhakaran has proved himself a better patriot of Sri Lanka than many of the buffoons who pretend to be patriots. As a descendent of Sinhala patriot Puran Appu, I consider the so called Sinhala patriots of today short sighted and humbas veerayas. Things have changed over the years. Sri Lanka cannot be considered as belonging only to the Sinhalese or Buddhists. Sri Lanka is a multi racial and multi religious society. Let them not forget that Ponnambalam Ramanathan was a key figure in gaining independence.

Q: Do you think India has a vital role to play in the peace process?

A: Without India there is no peace. India is the geographically nearest and historically closest neighbour of ours. In fact all of us nearly came from there. India has now discovered that a united Sri Lanka, free of terrorism is in its own interest. Even when I was the deputy foreign minister in the '80s we had to condemn terrorists being trained in their own soil.

J.R. Jayewardene's Indo-Lanka treaty and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi turned the tide. That is why we are keeping India fully in the picture and assuring them that no agreement with the LTTE would go against the strategic interests of India. That is why the Prime Minister, a year ago was to go to India with me and get the blessings of Prime Minister Vajpayee and Sonia Gandhi for the peace process. I am in fact a great supporter of building a bridge between India and Sri Lanka, which will cost US $ 500 million less than the cost of Hambantota port. But above all, this would link the mainland. Even the buffoons I referred to earlier, can take a day trip across the bridge to Kerala and back.

Q: Though India has announced officially that it supports the peace process, indications are that it has reservations. Do you think this could cause problems in the future?

A: It could cause problems if they are not handled properly. But I assure you that we will handle them properly. India has strategic interests, which they are naturally protective of.

Q: Do you think federalism is the answer to the ills that have plagued the country?

A: I don't believe that words can settle this problem. There is no doubt that the word federalism creates certain allergies. The important thing is that the threat of a separate state is over. And that within a united Sri Lanka some arrangements can be made for greater regional autonomy to the north and east.

In fact in the draft constitution of the year 2000, both major Sinhala parties - the UNP and the PA agreed on the definition of the nature of such a state giving such autonomy even without using the word federalism. I read in the papers even the President has said that within the constitution of year 2000 she has no objection for power being devolved.

To me the vital thing is, whatever  power is devolved in the region, the region will not have a right to secede and form a separate state.

That would have been the case in a confederation as is now suggested for Cyprus. But here confederation is not on the agenda. What we are going to talk about in Thailand and beyond, is devolution of power within a united country, united forever.

The whole country has been developed and made free by the joint efforts of all the people. Why should the Tamils therefore be content with a small area of the country? The whole country belongs to them to be there with the Sinhalese.

Q: The government has been accused of granting permission for a radio transmitter for the LTTE. Do you think it is wrong to have granted such permission?

A: As a former media minister I took great pains to encourage community radio. This is one such. The present media minister has licenced this FM transmitter and the telecommunication authority has given a frequency for the LTTE to operate within that limited area. I don't see anything wrong in this. In as much I licenced Sirasa on the basis they had to make payment for it, the LTTE also has to pay for it.  Dinesh Gunawardena who vexed eloquence on this is welcome to start his own radio in Avissawella but he will also have to pay for it.