INTERVIEWS

Following are excerpts; 

By Wilson Gnanadass 

Q: How does the LSSP view both the government and the LTTE settling down for a federal set-up?

A: The LSSP has always advocated devolution of power. From the inception we stood for recognising all parties and communities including the minorities. The LSSP has always stood for peace and a solution to this problem. What the government should do, while trying to find a federal formula, is to accommodate the views of all the political parties. I feel the government should not rely only on the LTTE and avoid other parties. The government should also sort out the problems in the east while trying to settle the crisis in the country. The eastern issue should not be forgotten. LTTE should learn that the group cannot depend on ammunition power. They have to ultimately face the people and in order to do it, they have to accept the democratic process which I feel they are doing now. They must learn to co-exist with other political parties.

Q: What is the LSSP’s policy on a federal government?

A: Our main policy is to share power. Federalism is sharing power. In this modern world, the trend is to share and not to embrace power by a few. If this policy is applied in the correct manner, the federal system will be a success. This is nothing new to the world and we have to simply adapt ourselves to this system.

Q: The TULF was the first party that demanded for a federal state, but at that time the government rejected this request. Do you feel that the then government made a mistake in doing so?

A: Definitely. It is indeed a mistake the country is regretting. In fact, when the Bandaranaike-Chelvanayagam pact was torn, the then Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike said in his speech that he had to do it because he was forced to do so. In fact, even the Sinhalese who wanted the pact torn were forced by a few extremist elements that wielded power. Once such forces lead the masses, it is difficult for even those people who are not racist to resist them. This is what happened that time. I personally don’t think the Sinhalese are racists, but they are led to be racists by some politicians.

Q: What role does the LSSP wish to play in the event a federal state is established?

A: Anything positive. We will give our utmost support to the government in its efforts to set up the system and even after, in implementing it. We will act according to the need of the hour.

Q: Do you think this system is healthy for Sri Lanka given the fact that the country has been torn apart due to a bloody war during the past 20 years or so?

A: Of course yes. It is indeed healthy and it not only improves the country’s economy, but also the minds of the people. Under a federal system there are certain things that the central government must keep in mind. Finance, foreign affairs, judiciary and so on should be retained by the central government while extensive devolution should also take place. With regard to defence, I think the respective federal states could establish its own defence units. We find this in other countries.

I think it is very healthy. In fact, it begins to recognise other communities and races while pushing out autocracy. We have to target the economy and if the country is to boost its economy, then a system of this nature should be introduced. It is definitely better than war. If a proper administration is established in the country, Sri Lankan expatriates may even want to return and people will become more patriotic towards their motherland.

Q: How do you view the change of attitude of the LTTE and the government?

A: We welcome it, but it must be noted that the change did not come from within either the LTTE or the government. Other countries and most of all circumstances thrust it upon them. The world does not approve vicious attacks the LTTE has been carrying on or the manner in which the successive governments have been governing the country. Globalisation demands a bigger market. While it is the trend, both government and the LTTE could not play games any longer. They had to make peace. It is said that by accident one falls to the gold mine, and this is what has happened to both the government and the LTTE.

Having said this, I must also say that there has been a thirst for peace from the masses and here again, these two parties have had to come to a compromise. Now that peace and democracy has been tasted by the people, the government and the LTTE, it is difficult for any one of them to return to war.

Q: A Sinhalese weekly reported that there is a plot by a senior People’s Alliance MP to assassinate President Kumaratunga. Being a member of the PA, are you aware of it?

A: I think it is a fabricated story. Eventually, those who fabricated the story would pay for it by proving themselves fools. It is a clear indication that there is lot of infighting going on in the PA. Nobody could politically fool the people any more. If the government takes the main opposition into serious consideration, I think peace could be achieved. Whether the government unites with the PA or not, it could never reduce the huge gulf that exists between the rich and the poor. I think economic realities will one day choose a better leader. It is easy for politicians to play the fool by fabricating stories, but it is not easy to find a solution to the crisis in the country.

Q: The UNF government has completed one year in office. How would you describe its performance?

A: As for the economy, the government has not been able to do much to the country to emancipate the people from their usual suffering. The cost of living is still on the increase and the political henchmen are continuing to use influence to carry out their own business without any regard to law and order. True enough the government has been able to address its mind to the war and brought about a situation in which at least the guns have fallen silent, but could people survive on this alone? Corruption and malpractices are taking place at the same tempo and there is a whole lot of garbage. Until this garbage is cleared, the mandate that is given by the people is invalid.

Q: A sudden erosion of values in the education system is visible with students killing each other even in private tuition classes. Do you see any major reason for it?

A: Life has become a rat race. There is no time for parents to spend time with their children. Most of the women are sent abroad to earn and they leave behind their husbands and children. This is bad for a family and this is why we have so many problems among students. Violence has become the daily bread in our society. The government is also encouraging women to go abroad in search of greener pastures because it brings a lot of money to the country. For instance, a country like Bangladesh has banned women going abroad. However poor as they are, they are supposed to be with their family members in order to ensure their families are well knit. Why can’t we follow this system and establish better families and values, instead of witnessing violence every day?