In spite of government corruption, we will win – Renuka Herath

"This is not only for the Rajapaksa regime. Previous governments too faced the same and they fought against terrorism. President Premadasa faced two wars in the south and the north but at the same time has done many things especially for the marginalized people."

An interview by Nilantha Ilangamuwa

(December 14, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Speaking to the Sri Lanka Guardian, Ms Renuka Herath a United National Party Member of Parliament expressed freely about the forthcoming provincial elections and said her party will be the victor. Hailing from Walapane, Ms. Renuka Herath joined the political mainstream during the early 1970s when Mr J.R.Jayawardana was the leader of the party. She served as Minister of Health under his leadership for ten years. Even though she has lost her vote base since then, Walapane in the district has always remained green for the UNP.

She is now once again a Member of Parliament for the Nuwara Eliya district appointed to take the place of Mr S B Dissanayake who was jailed when he fell foul of the Supreme Court. We from the Sri Lanka Guardian had a pleasant interview of her Tuesday December 9 at her residence. We report this thus for the benefit of our readers.

What do you think of the present political developments and their impact on the country?

The present government is conducting itself like a curse to the country and a major drama is being held all over the issues vital to the people but without proper directions or real commitment. The people are under severe pressure and tension and free political environment is totally non-existent. This is the worst regime, this country has ever had in my view.

But the government is having severe problems on the terrorism front and they have to be fully engaged in eradicating it. Once this is done, it will be able to face up to the needs of the country better.

This is not only for the Rajapaksa regime. Previous governments too faced the same and they fought against terrorism. President Premadasa faced two wars in the south and the north but at the same time has done many things especially for the marginalized people. His great strategies won the peoples’ heart. He never trapped them into the war nightmare. He was committed fully to the needs of the people.

But he could not finish the terrorists and end the war!

Unfortunately some of his enemies were engaged in spreading racism among the communities. There were people who wanted to sabotage his ideals and this led to a serious schism within the government and that affected the war effort against the terrorist rebels.

How can a man who gave weapons and support of a kind to the LTTE finish the war against the terrorists?

Yeah! He did give weapons. It was his strategy to deal with one enemy when fighting with another following the adage that an enemy’s enemy is a friend. Unfortunately, the enemy in this case outsmarted him and that was tragic.

LTTE assassinated President Premadasa and President Chandrika Kumaranatunge barely escaped such a fate also from the LTTE. This was followed by the Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) initiated by your leader Ranil Wickremasinghe to which the LTTE supremo Prabhakaran gave his seal of approval. How do you view the time since the CFA was signed?

The LTTE cleverly manipulated our leader to pursue their goal for a separate state encompassing the North and East of Sri Lanka. Both President Premadasa and Premier Ranil Wickremasinghe had their own plans and strategies to protect the sovereignty of the country. The LTTE on the other hand was committed to armed insurrection and their belief in it led to chromic problems in the country when they could have effected a peaceful resolution with Prime Minister Wickremasinghe.

I believe some Sinhala leaders have done wrong things and have constrained the rights of the minorities. We are now placed in a situation where we must unite and bring terrorism to an end and seek solutions to the ethnic problem. I fully support the war against terrorism but I am afraid President Rajapaksa and his government is only using the war as a cover against their own weaknesses to administer the country properly. We have to accept devolution as a means for a permanent solution.

What kind of devolution do you have in mind?

It is not mere words that matter. We have to ensure there is freedom to all the people in the country based on fundamental rights. The Sinhalese people must understand that they have restricted the rights of the minorities. This should never have been. Even some Tamils leaders have been selfish and failed their people. There is a feeling of need for peace and harmony among the ordinary folks. They are the mass but too many conflicts and racial sensitiveness prevail among the leaders. Why is it impossible for us to live as fellow citizens enjoying the same rights?

How strong is your vote base? You lost in the last election.

I accepted the peoples’ decision but I have always done my best to my people.

But Walapane is quite backward still with no good road facilities and the people there are among the poorest. Youth from this area are seeking their livelihood in Colombo and other urban areas. Some have out of sheer desperation joined the Armed Forces. Despite you having been a minister of the state, Walapane has remained largely undeveloped.

When I was appointed to represent Walapane, I have worked hard and created fresh opportunities and likewise, I have also helped to develop various programmes including electricity to the areas where poverty prevails which I determined to alleviate. When the area faced land slides I was personally involved in relief activity and made many houses available to distribute among the needy.

When we visited this area we did not see such activities as having happened there. Hundreds of people are living in ramshackle shelters. Even these shelters were provided by the NOG/INGOs and never saw any provided or enabled by the regional politicians. It appeared that they were not concerned.

Do not forget I’m now in the opposition I don’t have the power necessary to work for the people. It is sad but this is a major problem in the country.

Even as an opposition Member of Parliament you have responsibilities to serve the people.

True, I accept your idea. I’m highly sensitive to the needs of the people. I am aware how corrupt the politicians of the ruling party are in our district. This is a major hurdle to my efforts.

Walapane is a dominantly UNP division with the majority supporting us. Votes have been rigged at election times by the SLFP. This is how the SLFP wins elections. But they are never popular in the region. I think people in Walapane strongly believe in a UNP government. They know the UNP is doing many good things for people than the present corrupt and goon governance.

Do you think a UNP win is possible?

Collecting votes while selling the war cannot help. The forthcoming election will show how many people are against the government. If it is a free and fair election the UNP will win easily. People in Sri Lanka are never trapped again in the same strategy. Even the people know the present government is mismanaging and is led by corrupt people. - Sri Lanka Guardian