As the election campaign in the Moneragala and Uva areas gets going, Faraz Shauketaly followed Sashi Rajapakse on his campaign trail. The campaign could hardly be described as provincial. The intensity with which it was being carried out demonstrated the importance and seriousness the participants from all parties were giving these elections — acknowledging, indeed, that these elections are a precursor of others in the offing like the Southern Province poll, presidential and of course, parliamentary elections.

By Faraz Shauketaly in Moneragala

Q:  Your entry into politics marks the ascendancy of a third generation member of the Rajapakse family into politics. How heavy a responsibility is that?

A: When you consider the family background in politics – in the service of the people – it is a heavy responsibility. One which I took on with pleasure.

Q: Why did you choose Moneragala? After all your family stronghold has been the Hambantota area – why the change?

A: The answer really is two fold: To begin with, one must understand that these boundaries are a legacy of our colonial past. Within the context of our own history, the country had three areas: Ruhunu, Maya and Pihiti. In that context there’s no difference in Moneragala, Kataragama and Hambantota. In any event Kataragama has been more or less my home – my second home in fact,  for the past four years where I continue to serve as the Basnayaka  Nilame of the Kataragama Dewalaya.

Hambantota is well served by our involvement: my father, my uncle and my grandfather before me and other relatives have all served Hambantota and its people. In a way to put it simply, Hambantota is “done” – they have all the people they need to oversee their needs.

For the people of Moneragala and these environs, where as you acknowledge, the conditions are harsh, development work here needs firm and pro-active leadership. We need strong leadership with the mandate of the people, to spearhead the development. The people of this area really could do with some rapid development work. You may have noticed the roads: some of them are done already, that’s just one example.

Q: So, you appear to have let the easy choice of Hambantota and chosen an area which is known to be under developed. As a Rajapakse now, in this present context, you could have chosen anywhere to make your entry?

A:  To understand my decision you need to understand our family. We have a long history of taking on a challenge. Doing the mundane the usual thing is less attractive than a real task. A challenge does not put us off. You are right: I chose the most challenging route. That’s because when we take on a challenge we do not let go – we see it through to finality. In the event the people give me the mandate I seek, I will embrace this challenge and ensure success. I am determined it will be no other way. The motivation is the challenge.

Q:  Dynastic politics is very much in use in our region – in Asia – and has become quite acceptable in Sri Lanka. How do you react to that and especially for the implications it has for you?

A: The voter today is strong enough to make his own mind up. The mere qualification that your father or mother or some other relative ahead of you has been in politics is not enough to secure the voter. Our voters have evolved. In terms of what you call ‘Dynastic politics’ to secure a vote one must demonstrate performance, especially past performance. The ability to demonstrate a real possibility of future performance can only be helped by the past performance.

If one has performed in the past, the people will have something to go by. Our family’s involvement in the people business is ample proof of our commitment to the people and their needs. In that context, I am certain that the programmes I have in mind for the people of this area will appeal to them and with their help together we can achieve for this area the progress it so very much deserves.

I did not look for the easy way or to do things in a so called customary manner. I chose this area because it offered me the motivation and the chance to do something different. To help make a difference.

Q: What did your father say to you about your entry into politics? Indeed did he have anything to say about your decision?

A: My father had his input of course but he was extremely happy about the location I chose — the area of Moneragala. That made him happy. It’s that challenge thing!

Q: So who then – was it you even – who sent you into entering politics per se?

A: My father as I said had his input; my uncle,  the President was the catalyst. He does not really consider me as his mere nephew but as his political ally. Please remember that I have worked for him since he was Leader of the Opposition, when he was Prime Minister and now that he is President. He was most insistent that my calling in life was in politics. He was persuasive.

Q:  Will you be Chief Minister?

A: I need to be first elected! I will then consider what is given or asked of me.

Q: What plans do you have for the future? Will you pursue your career further politically, will you consider running for parliament?

‘War in the kitchen goes on’

The UNP chief ministerial aspirant Upali Samaraweera believes that a Rajapakse from Hambantota cannot make the grade in Uva, when pitted against the Samaraweeras who have always provided leadership to Uva. Samaraweera who served as opposition leader twice told The Sunday Leader that people are fed up of war propoganda and now look for real answers to their needs.

Excerpts.

By Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Q: As the UNP chief ministerial candidate for Uva, what are your key electoral pledges?

A: I refuse to make electoral pledges. That is also not our party stance. Instead we have policies and programmes based on which the party can deliver.

As opposition leader, without government power, I brought in Japanese funds and implemented projects here. We were of service to the people even when in opposition. How much can we do if elected to power?

Educational and health needs are immense in our province. Our infrastructure is also weak.

The UPFA administration has failed to cater to Uva people’s developmental needs. This is why the UNP will have every opportunity to create a provincial administration in Uva on August 9.

Q: But the UNP has been in power for a long period in Uva. If the area remains under developed, the UNP too should take some blame for it?

A: I completely disagree. If any development took place in this province, that happened during my uncle Percy Samaraweera’s tenure. Nobody can deny his contribution to Uva. It was phenomenal.

There was great co-ordination between the central government and the provincial administration then. Money flowed into the province and there was much progress.

It is the UPFA that put this province on the reverse gear. Despite having the national and provincial administrations, the ruling party has failed to be of service to the people. The administrators were being petty and politicised everything here. Perhaps that’s also why the government has launched a new face because the old team does not have public acceptance.

Q; You admitted to Uva being backward. What are its developmental priorities?

A: A better road network. Connectivity is a problem because the roads are badly maintained. Our schools need more facilities and our health requirements are significant.

Q: Pitted against a Rajapakse, can you honestly win the election? 

A: Rajapakses may come and go, but the Samaraweeras have always worked for the people of Uva. People know it. That’s our family legacy. This is our area that we continue to serve with pride.

People question as to why a Hambantota Rajapakse has landed in Uva when he has no real connection to the area. That shows the government’s bankruptcy.

The plantation sector people who voted for the UPFA twice are now turning towards the UNP. So are the Muslims, a trading community here.

The war is over. But the war in the kitchen continues. Now people want economic relief and support for their industries.

In Uva, paddy is cultivated only in Mahiyangana. Other areas are full of vegetable and tea growers.  What economic relief has this administration offered to the various sectors in Uva?

Recently there was an event to honour people of Uva. It was held in Kandy with the President as chief guest. Poor people were provided with spectacles and the event was shown on television as an occasion where traditional UNP supporters crossed over. It was not so. This is the level of government desperation.

Q:  The government is still riding a wave of popularity, post war.  Won’t that impact on the voting patterns?

A: Not at all. The UPFA administration obviously believes that war is everything. Sadly it is not. Of course all of us are happy that the war is over. But that is not enough.

Now people want economic progress. They want to have a better life. They want support for their various industries.

It is a fallacy to believe that the war could be marketed over and over again. People want solutions to their other needs. The kitchen war is paramount.

Q: The UNP is obviously splintered. How does it impact on your campaign?

A: Who says the UNP is factionalised? We are united. What is more, what you perceive to be factions are not factions.

This is the single largest political party in the country. That fact will never change. We openly express our views at the Working Committee and those who want to see disunity, create stories that the party is in turmoil. We have the inner democracy to pinpoint errors but that does not mean there are various groups operating within the party.

Everyone is united in this effort and they are campaigning for the party.

Q: If so, why is it that a lot of traditional UNP voters are turning against the party?

A: Those who left the party, we all know, did it for a reason. There was no great philosophy behind pole-vaulting except their need to lay their hands on the government kitty. They wanted perks and privileges.