Interview

"Govt. will work jointly with the LTTE"

JVP's wish not to involve the LTTE in the relief operation, the Minister said he did not see any justification in the JVP's opposition as the government was making the 'correct move.'

Following are excerpts; 

By Wilson Gnanadass

Q: Are you satisfied with the way the government is handling the post tsunami situation, particularly with regard to reconstruction and resettlement?

A: I should say even the leaders who visited our country like UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, US State Secretary Colin Powell and even the Canadian Prime Minister have all expressed their satisfaction about the way the government handled the post tsunami situation in the country. They said none of the countries affected by the tsunami has commenced rehabilitation work so early as in Sri Lanka. Undoubtedly there are loose ends that occur at the beginning of any mega project of this nature. But what is necessary is to identify these loose ends and tighten them and I strongly believe the process is gradually falling into place. I also believe one can reasonably be satisfied with the rehabilitation, resettlement and relief operation carried out by the present government and I think this process is gaining ground in proper perspective.

Q: There is a lot of criticism that the task forces appointed by President Chandrika Kumaratunga to handle the relief, rehabilitation and resettlement efforts include her confidants and business leaders and with no experienced politicians or public servants with a feel for the grassroots included. Would you say the criticism is justified?

A: I find that these committees comprise non political personnel, but have excelled in various fields like business and administration. I find that these officials are trying to mingle with people who have become victims of the tsunami and understand the peoples' problems and find out how things are happening and so on. I feel it is a good opportunity for such non political elements to help and interact with people with needs and to guide them in some way. I do not see anything wrong in this decision.

Q: The President has proposed a 100 metre coastal buffer zone. Do you think this is practical and is there a change of heart in the government?

A: It is a rather difficult problem and cannot be easily tackled. But I believe demarcating such a buffer zone is most advisable. The December 26 tsunami took away the lives of thousands. A large number of houses were destroyed and those whose livelihood got affected were those who lived within the breadth of 100 metres from the sea. A large number of people living within this belt have today become victims. I believe at least now after experiencing such a disaster in a very intense form, we must find a remedial action so that we can at least save lives the next time the country faces such a disaster. Also environmentally it is a very salutary decision because right round the sea if this decision is implemented we will have a 'Green Belt' that would be ecologically friendly and I personally believe it is worth promoting such a concept in Sri Lanka.

Q: Then how about buildings that are already in existence within the 100 metre range. Take for instance the President's House, old parliament, Galle Face Hotel and so on?

A: Well, the houses and buildings that are already there and not damaged may have to be allowed to remain. It is impractical to demolish such buildings. But there again I believe there must be a long-term plan to remove these buildings as well from the coastal belt and relocate them elsewhere. I don't think the President's House is within this range. But however in keeping with the present thinking no new building should be allowed to come up.

Q: The JVP has come out strongly against the government in general and President Kumaratunga in particular even citing her as an 'emperor without clothes.' Why has the SLFP not responded to these charges or even defended the President?

A: Recently Nandana Gunathilleke raised certain issues at the executive committee meeting of the UPFA of which I am also a member. I was also present at this meeting. Apart from the truthfulness and acceptability of these facts he can't be blamed for raising them at the executive committee meeting because it is the forum to raise such issues. But we find certain members of the JVP including cabinet ministers making certain statements that may even undermine the mutual relationship that exists between the two parties that constitute the coalition. This of course we have to term as 'sheer irresponsibility.' We the members of the SLFP refrain from making such statements critical of the JVP since we are quite aware that the emergence of issues on certain matters between the parties is very often imminent since the UPFA is made of several parties.

Even the opposition coalition faces similar problems - differences and disagreements. We understand highlighting this in public and attacking fellow members of our friendly parties will create more damage than good. So this should not be considered a weakness of the SLFP. We have been a conscientious party even earlier and even now we make every effort to cherish the basis on which the alliance was formed and on which the mandate was given by the people of this country to govern the country. Thus, this matter of criticising the party and our leader was discussed by the SLFP at the Central Committee meeting last week and a decision was taken to have a constructive discussion with the JVP and to persuade them to refrain from making unsuitable and damaging remarks.

Q: There have been reports of massive aid pledges to the country. But how much has really arrived and what are the mechanisms in place for the disbursement of aid?

A: I am aware from various sources that a large amount of foreign assistance has been promised. All this has not arrived in the country. As regard to the financial assistance, it is just beginning to come. World Bank, ADB, EU,G8, individual countries like Japan, Canada, USA, Australia, India and some other countries have pledged their support. And the UN will establish an organisation to monitor them and also to oversee the manner in which the aid is being disbursed in the country.

On the part of the government of Sri Lanka we know that every dollar that comes into the country must be put to the best use not only to provide the basic living needs of the people, but also to build the infrastructure required for the country and especially for the economic enhancement of the people of the country affected by the tsunami. So plans are being made by the central authority under the supervision of all party leaders and senior public servants for the utilisation of the aid.

Q: The government has said that it is holding discussions with the LTTE to evolve a mechanism to handle the post tsunami reconstruction and relief. Do you think this is a positive development and how close to a compromise are you?

A: Immediately after the tsunami disaster, the President invited the LTTE to participate in the all party discussion that was held in order to assess the damage caused to the people and to decide what action should be taken to redeem this situation. So this invitation though unheeded by the LTTE did not stop with one call. It continued. The government and President Kumaratunga in particular suggested to the LTTE that the development of the LTTE areas affected by the tsunami may be done jointly with the government. In fact the government whatever difficult circumstances there may have been took prompt action to provide food and other needs to those affected in the north and east, including the areas under the control of the LTTE. Recently, as requested by the LTTE, the President dispatched a large amount of equipment and machinery to clear the debris and prepare the ground for resettlement and reconstruction of those areas. Now the LTTE has responded favourably to act jointly in order to develop the areas under their rule with the government. And the government in turn pledged to distribute the assistance it gets from foreign countries equally with the other part of the country. I think this is a positive approach by both sides since there is a general feeling that there was absolute discrimination shown by the government towards the people living in LTTE areas.

Q: The JVP however has come out strongly against the involvement of the LTTE in the relief and reconstruction effort in the north and east. Do you see the JVP's opposition as a serious problem?

A: I don't know on what basis the JVP is opposing. Because this is a correct move that is taken in view of the control the LTTE exerts on certain areas under them. Unless the government acts jointly with the LTTE, people living in these areas will be deprived of the facilities and also the development of infrastructure is essential in these areas. So I don't see any cause for any objection by JVP.

Q: The four co-chairs in a statement issued after the Brussels meeting has called upon the government and the LTTE to work together in the north and east with regard to relief and rehabilitation efforts and to develop the tsunami affected areas, especially with sensitivity shown to the peace process. Do you think it is possible given the JVP's opposition?

A: I believe the JVP will understand the importance of interacting with each other wherever and whenever possible for the government and the LTTE in matters related to LTTE areas. This will definitely provide better understanding and build confidence between the two parties so that an environment that might provide for an acceptable solution for the ethnic strife may be possible. The understanding between the parties that is gradually emerging after the tsunami should be welcomed by anyone who genuinely anticipates a solution to the problem. So I believe the JVP will realise the stark facts and adjust itself to be compatible with the emerging scenario, which is definitely in the interest of the entire country.

Q: Would you say the government runs the risk of losing the aid pledged if it refused the JVP's demand?

A: The countries that have pledged aid are more concerned about how the government and the LTTE create an environment to solve the ethnic crisis. Certainly the donors are not going to be bothered about remarks made by individual parties. The donor countries may not heed any obstructive measure by any party or organisation. Our concern is also to evolve a mechanism to find an answer to the ethnic question under any circumstances. The President is keen about it. So what individual parties say does not matter to the donor countries.

Q: President Kumaratunga announced legislation to give effect to the task forces would be introduced in parliament in January or February. Is this going to happen?

A: Yes. I will present a special legislation known as 'Tsunami Disaster Special Provision Act' in parliament in February. This act is being drafted so as to deal with matters like issuing of death certificates, adoption of children, custody of young persons, rights of immovable property, safety of movable property, quantum of punishment to those who commit offences in the nature of theft and destruction to property and sexual offenses. This will be applicable for a specific period in respect of tsunami victims. But of course any person found in violation of these above mentioned offences in any of the tsunami-affected areas also would be dealt with according to this act.