INTERVIEWS

"Let's unite to empower the people"

Lands Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne says of the 3.8 million families living in Sri Lanka, nearly 1.2 million are to be granted free lands. He says an Act, which he describes as "historic" is to be presented to parliament soon which he adds would give an opportunity for those without lands to own lands.  "The government would then be in a position to reduce the problem of landlessness," he told The Sunday Leader in an interview. The very vocal Minister, when referring to the impending PA-JVP alliance said that such an alliance is only seen as an "alliance of opportunism" and not as an alliance for better governance.

Following are excerpts;

By Wilson Gnanadass

Q: After assuming duties as the Minister of Lands, what have you achieved in distributing lands to the landless?

A: We are bringing in a new Act for  land ownership, where we will distribute 1.2 million plots to the landless. This is a revolutionary Act. We will give unconditional grants of land to the people. They will be the sole owners of their lands. They can mortgage, transfer and develop without coming back to the state. If there is any dispute regarding the land, that would be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country.  In the Act we have cut short the red tape by forming land alienation committees  to distribute these lands  rather than involving the state in the matter. We could then complete this scheme in a few years time.

Q: Earlier you faced a problem with President Kumaratunga who also wanted to distribute lands?

A: The President has objected to this Act saying that it has taken away the powers of the President. I replied saying that this act has not only removed the President's powers but also my own powers as the  minister in charge of lands. At the last cabinet meeting I explained why the President and I should not get involved in this transaction. We have now come to an understanding where her secretary, my secretary, and the attorney general will come together in order to finalise the matter. I hope cabinet will approve this piece of legislation before the end of the month. At the moment, we are in the process of arranging the transfer of 1.2 million plots of land to the people.

Q: The majority of Sri Lankans do not own lands. How is the government going to address this issue?

A: There are 3.8 million families living in Sri Lanka. Of this number around 1.2 million would benefit following the introduction of this Act. This will provide  land to every third family in the country and settle the land problem of the majority of the people.

Q: Though the UNF government is willing to give the deeds to the landless there seems to be a bottleneck somewhere. What is it and who is the cause of it?

A: The  block is because of the political nature of the person holding the highest position in the country. But cabinet can decide  even if one person objects to this Act. I hope the President will understand the poor people's need for  land. I hope she will support this historical piece of legislation and join  hands with us in granting land to 1.2 million families.

Q: Some critics say since lands is a devolved subject you remain a Lands Minister without lands. If this is true, how do you intend exercising your authority over lands?

A: Land is not a devolved subject. According to the 13th Amendment, the minister should consult the provincial councils in the distribution of lands. The consultation does not mean that we should depend on them for their approval. According to the 13th Amendment, it is stated that a national land commission should be  constituted, enabling the Lands Ministry and the respective provincial councils to sit together to decide and implement the decisions on matters relating to lands. This national land commission has not been formed. Therefore the authority on lands comes under the central government. This is clearly stated by the attorney general in his reply to the then chief minister of the North Central Province when the provincial council wanted to legalise a statute on lands. The AG very clearly stated that the Provincial Councils have no power over lands other than those vested under a particular provincial council. The present AG also has made the same observation on this matter. This clearly shows that Provincial Councils have authority only to govern the lands handed over to the particular provincial council by the Lands Ministry.

Q: Encroachment and forcible occupation of lands by wealthy businessmen are problems that go on unabated. Even the relevant authorities take litle interest. Is this, in your view a threat to the country?

A: I have started clearing  encroachers from state lands. I have sent clear instructions to all the divisional secretaries and I have got the  interior minister to send another circular to all police stations not to allow any encroachment in their areas. In 1995, by a parliamentary act, the right of the encroacher of state land was removed. Those who have encroached after 1995 have no right to ask for the state land they occupy. Even those who have encroached earlier are not given the right of occupation unless they prove that they don't own any land, either private or state, in any other part of the country. I have brought legislation and I have formulated a national land policy where it has been clearly stated that anybody who owns an inch of land in this country will be disqualified from owing further state lands. This way, in time, encroachment will be controlled. We have already decided that state land will not be sold to anybody who holds land in excess of  20 perches. All other lands given to a developer will be given on long lease according to the existing market value. And if the developer does not develop the land within six months of acquiring it, we will take back the land, so the developer will lose the land and the money he paid for it.

Q: There is a move by the People's Alliance to form an alliance with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP). What are your views?

A: Those two parties say that when they come together, their vote bank would be more than that of the UNP. It may be correct arithmetically. But we must not forget that one of the main reasons for the defeat of the last PA government was the formation of the pariwasa government with the JVP . The people fear the JVP. They can never forget the terror campaign that was unleashed in the 1970's and 80's  by the JVP.

The right thinking supporters of the SLFP will not like collaborating with the JVP. A reasonable number of MPs fall into this category, and that is why some of them are openly against any PA-JVP alliance. This sort of alliance is not practical. The JVP can contest under a common list with the SLFP. If this happens the JVP will be knocked out, because they have no popular figures.

The JVP has never been able to win an electorate, or even to come second in any of the electorates in Sri Lanka.

This entire episode is only to hoodwink the  people. The left of the PA, the LSSP, the CP, the Mahajana Party, and the DJVP, will never join an alliance with the JVP because they identify the JVP as a totally chauvinistic party. Today, the SLFP leadership has made up its mind to settle the ethnic question under a federal system. The JVP will never agree to this. Any alliance without a policy on the most important problem in the country will be an alliance of opportunism.

Q: The PA has said that it would mobilise the entire country to protest against the UNF government, citing the rising cost of living. You were at one time doing the same thing while in opposition. Don't you think that the cost of living is unbearable?

A: This is not going to be serious because they can never bring the entire country to protest against us. The two parties which cannot even win a pradeshiya sabha in Akuressa, where the UNP is not going to contest, will never be able to gather the required number of people for their demonstration. After the month of June, when the UNF government receives  funds for the development of the country, and once the funds are distributed among the people, the PA would be in pieces.

Q: The PA also accuses the government of not being transparent in holding talks with the LTTE.How do you view this?

A: The PA has no right to talk of transparency. They never published the MOU they signed with the LTTE.The 42 letters exchanged between Chandrika and Prabhakaran were never published. How can they talk of lack of transparency in the present talks between the government and the LTTE?

The Premier signed the MOU and it was published the next day. Every communication between the government and the LTTE has been given to the press. After every round of talks, both sides met the press and briefed them. The press has all the freedom to critise every step taken by the government and the LTTE.  What more can we give than this, in the way of transparency?

The Premier has promised the nation, that what ever the final solution may be, it would be presented to the people, and the government would seek a mandate from the people. He has said he will never proceed without this. Such  transparency has never been seen in any of the earlier talks with the LTTE.