Interview

"JVP is against peace" - D.M. Jayaratne

Posts and Telecommunications Minister and senior most SLFP Parliamentarian, D. M. Jayaratne in an interview with Chandana Suriyabandara of our sister paper Irudina said the JVP was blocking the path to peace with its vehement apposition to commencing negotiations based on the ISGA and refusing to come to a compromise on the issue with its main coalition partner in the ruling UPFA.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Q: What do you think are the main differences between the People's Alliance of 1994 and the UPFA today?

A: In 1994, despite having only a single seat majority in parliament, the People's Alliance coalition government which comprised several different political parties bearing various ideologies, we were still able to govern the entire six year term. But it is obvious that in the current alliance, such a situation is not possible.

The government of a country has a duty not only to look after the welfare of parliamentarians, but to address the socio-economic problems of the nation and move forward. When a government starts expressing conflicting view points, people start to have doubts as to whether the government has staying power and begin to wonder about whether political instability will ensue. It then becomes impossible for the government to do anything properly because not only does the opposition continually oppose its every move, but a faction within the government is also bringing about a conflict of ideas. As a result, this coalition government finds it impossible to adopt a single unified position on anything.

Q: Are you levelling these allegations at the JVP?

A: Yes. When its opinion differs with the SLFP or any other party within the coalition, the JVP should be able to discuss these issues and come to some kind of compromise according to the circumstances, in order to move forward.

Q: At one point, the JVP said the UNP and PA were all the same. Do you think that having formed an alliance with the PA, the JVP has now relegated itself to the same position?

A: Yes. That would be how it appears.

Q: But is the JVP attempting to create the impression that despite the alliance, it is still different to the two main parties?

A: Yes, it is possible they are trying to create that impression. But the people look at it differently and the way they see it, everybody is the same.

Q: So then, there is no effort to take the country forward, as is expressed in the UPFA's election manifesto 'Rata Perata'?

A: That would be true. Most people are more interested in advancing their personal interests instead.

Q: What is the SLFP's position with regard to the LTTE's ISGA proposals?

A: The SLFP has agreed that an interim administration has to be set up for the north and east. This was agreed upon way back in 2000. That position remains unchanged even today. The problem is there is a host of parties claiming that the LTTE's request for an interim administration should not be granted. But this is my argument. What does an interim administration mean? That's what we have to understand first.

The UNP held extensive discussions with the LTTE. But before anything could come of that, the LTTE moved out of the talks. After that, the LTTE put forward a set of requests about what they wanted, but there was no discussion about that. This was merely a recommendation put forward by the LTTE. It was up for discussion but there was no opportunity to discuss the issue. The local government is also an interim administration, so is the provincial council and the municipal council. There is a ruling government, there is parliament and then governance is handed over to interim administrations. This is the situation all over the world. They say they are opposed to the federal system. But which federal system are they opposed to exactly? India has one kind of a federal system. So do countries like Canada, New Zealand and Germany. Each country adapts federalism according to the needs of its people. So what we really need to discuss is what kind of interim administration the LTTE is proposing. Instead of doing that, opposing the interim administration totally, as I see it, is opposition to peace.

Q: So are you directly accusing the JVP of being against peace?

A: Yes. Whether it is the JVP or the JHU, this kind of total rejection is wrong - by opposing an interim administration without fully understanding it blocks the road to peace. If we commence discussions and come to some kind of agreement, we can swing world opinion towards us and ensure the support of the international community, because they will perceive the government as being just and truly committed to seeing that justice is done to the Tamil people.

Q: The JVP's position is that the ISGA should be discussed in conjunction with proposals for a final settlement. They say this is what the election manifesto outlines. Do you agree?

A: How can any kind of settlement be reached without talks in the first place? If a final solution was so freely accessible, then there wouldn't be a need to go to the negotiating table at all. The final solution means the end of discussions. It is easy for us to talk about a final solution as if it was so simple, but we need to understand that at the negotiating table, there is another party whose ideas have to be expressed as well. Even if such a thing as a final solution is written in the manifesto, that would not be correct. A final solution means an end to all problems. If that was so well within sight, there would be no need for talks.

Q: The escalating cost of living is creating grave concern among the public. And while it seems like things are going up everyday, the government appears to be divided on economic issues as well. The Treasury says one thing. The Trade Minister says rice has to be imported. The Agriculture Minister denies this. Do you think this situation bodes well for the country?

A: Well at least the conflicting ideas give the people something to talk about. One person says prices are going to be increased. Someone else denies this. The media plays on all this and at least in all their suffering the people have something to gossip and complain about.

But the real reason for price hikes is that the global market prices are on the rise. In fact, scientists have warned that 2005 will see the whole world experiencing famine. Because of this I believe that it is essential we cultivate every bit of land we possess in order to become self sufficient as soon as possible to avert such a crisis. Therefore, I believe that every cent this government spends on agriculture and its development is an investment for the future.

Q: Has the UPFA decided on its presidential candidate for next year's election?

A: Not yet. The toss up is between Anura Bandaranaike and Mahinda Rajapakse. The final decision will be made by the executive committee.

Q: As a senior party member, what do you think would be the main considerations in picking the presidential candidate?

A: It would basically be popularity. If the individual is popular with the people, we would not pay attention to the other details.