“There’s zero decline in Ranil’s popularity” – Tissa

By Uditha Jayasinghe
As the Central and North Western Provincial Council election race fires off the starting block, The Bottom Line discusses the key talking point with the Secretary Generals of the two main parties.

Following are excerpts of the interview with United National Party (UNP) Secretary General, MP Tissa Attanayake:

Q: Despite the new positions being approved by the Party Convention, their powers have not been specified. How long will it take to actually bring the reforms in?

A: The Executive Council of the UNP has decided to make the specifications of the reforms known at the next Executive Council meeting that will take place during the first week of February. At this meeting, definitive arrangements will be made regarding the organisational capacity of the party to protect the vote base. It is also imperative that this meeting be used to create a framework that will generate more votes in the upcoming elections through better organisation. This is the main focus of the reforms. The crucial Executive Council Assembly is scheduled for the beginning of February and even though this may change due to election commitments, we are determined it be held. There are several things that need to be done by the Executive Council and key among them will be determining what responsibilities and powers are delegated to the new leadership positions created by the reforms. New organisers have to be appointed for 2009 and there are several things that must be done in accordance with the Executive Council Constitution at this meeting.

Q: Do you feel that the people have renewed faith because of these reforms?

A: Organisation is the keystone of any election campaign. People understand that when it comes to trust and responsibility a reform of this nature is of paramount importance. It inspires the masses and with their assistance, the work of one or two individuals can gain more momentum. By giving individual responsibilities, the monitoring and motivation of the party as a whole is intensified. It improves the networking between the different stakeholders of the elections and the people will be heartened by this renewed vigour within our party.

Q: How crucial are they for winning the elections?

A: These reforms are not aimed at a Provincial Council election. They are most importantly for the Parliamentary and Presidential elections in the future. This is to ascertain the organisational capacity of the UNP. When we make new organisational structures, there must be a monitoring mechanism to gauge how effective they are. For example, for the Central and North Western Provincial Elections the UNP leadership appointed two Steering Committees, one headed by Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya with the membership of Chairman Gamini Jayawickrema Perera while the other for the Central Province is spearheaded by Assistant Leader Rukman Senanayake with I as General Secretary, and we are all part of this committee.

Q: How do you view Karu Jayasuriya’s re-entry to the UNP and his reinstatement as Deputy Leader? How will it play in the elections?

A: Karu Jayasuriya was the former Deputy Leader of the party, he left over several principle differences and he gradually came to realise that these would not be fulfilled by President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s administration. So, he decided to return. His entry has buoyed us greatly and we are confident that it will hold us in good stead. However, it must be remembered that Deputy Leader Karu Jayasuriya is in this position with UNP votes, so he has a responsibility to stand for those people and speak on their behalf. During the last few days, he has insisted that the government does not have proper fiscal management and has politicised many issues. The government has also refused to implement the 17th Amendment to the Constitution and consistently sidestep these responsibilities.

Q: Relatives of your key candidates have crossed over to the UPFA. Do you view that as a challenge?

A: We do not see these crossovers as a challenge because Chief Ministerial Candidate S.B. Dissanayake was at one point part of the SLFP. During that time, one of his brothers was a member of the UNP. Like that, these memberships are prone to change and these are normal things. A lot of people will not vote based purely on relationships or kinship, which is something relegated to a minority. Nonetheless, it must be noted that when compared with S.B. Dissanayake, his brothers are not of much importance.

Q: The CWC has been the UNP’s traditional ally in the estate regions. Do you think the fact that the CWC is contesting under the UPFA will seriously hamper the UNP’s chances?

A: This is not the first time the CWC has not contested with the UNP. In 2000, during the Parliamentary elections too they did not contest with us. I wish to highlight that at that point when CWC Leader A. Thondaman contested with the SLFP, he received only 53,000 preferential votes whereas when he contested with the UNP he garnered over 100,000 votes. This alone shows the allegiance of the upcountry Tamil people. Mr. Thondaman has already become unpopular among the upcountry Tamil people. So, just because he is not there, the UNP is not at a disadvantage.

Q: What support from the Tamil people do you have to counter this?

A: We have several dynamic leaders on our side from the upcountry region. One is S. Sathasivam. He is a former youth leader of the CWC. Digambaram from the Nuwara Eliya District is another young leader of importance. Then we have Rajaratnam, a former Deputy Chairman of the CWC. These are all well respected and beloved leaders. Therefore, we are not discouraged by the absence of Mr. Chandrasekaran or the CWC. During the Sabaragamuwa elections, our candidate won more preferential votes than their nominee. We shall see the CWC degeneration clearly on February 14.

Q: The UNP has consistently lost elections. What makes you confident that this trend will change in these elections?

A: These are Provincial Council elections, so it is difficult to judge their effect in comparison to a general election. However, the government has a huge challenge in this election. People are still unsure of the Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces election results. During those elections the SLFP lost over 100,000 votes and reduced their representation by four members. The UNP on the other hand, gained in them. Therefore, it is clear that the UNP is gathering momentum. We are very confident of victory. If the government does not resort to state terrorism, vote rigging, threats and other forms of intimidation, the UNP will win. We have challenged the government not to hold these small elections, but to immediately move for a Parliamentary election. The reason for this is that people have lost their faith in the government, because it is clear that they will not work to alleviate the cost of living burden. We are ready for a national election.

Q: How do you gauge the people’s confidence in your leader?

A: Clearly, the people have confidence in our leader. That was clear during the past presidential election when he gathered more than 4.7 million votes. And that situation prevails to this day. People are still facing the negative effects of the vote boycott in the north and even the people who voted for President Mahinda Rajapaksa are today disappointed by the policies adopted by the government. So, there is zero decline in UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s popularity.

Q: The UNP Chief Ministerial candidates for Sabaragamuwa and North Central Province won the largest number of preferential votes but still lost the overall elections. Do you feel that shows people have confidence in individuals within the party but not the party at large?

A: There is no such thing. Voters must first vote for the party before they mark their preferential vote. Every one of these people voted for the party too. Also, from among the candidates our representatives were more popular. That is known to happen. It all depends on personal popularity. Both Ranjan Ramanayaka and Late Major General Janaka Perera were popular in their own right: The former, because he is a film star and the latter because of his service in the war. Personal popularity counts for much, but so does the party they represent. If these people have stood for the election as independent candidates, they would have not achieved this.

Q: How has your campaign been so far? What are the future plans?

A: We have already kicked off our campaign and hope to intensify it during the next five weeks. We are going to primarily focus on the rampant corruption and wastage within the government. We wish to emphasise to the people that they have waited long enough. Patience can no longer be justified. We believe that the people will make a change through these elections.

Q: Both Chief Ministerial candidates of your party have been out of active politics for a while. Do you feel that they would find it difficult to make a come back?

A: Both our Chief Ministerial Candidates have been in active politics for a long time. Chief Ministerial Candidate S.B Dissanayake is the National Organiser of the UNP and as such, has continuously and consistently been involved, especially at ground level. In addition, Shamal Senerath is also an electorate organiser who has been intensely involved in grassroots level politics. We felt that it was necessary to appoint people who have been loyal to the party in the long-term and accordingly, the nominations were made unanimously. Through these elections we shall have the chance to measure their popularity and capability. Moreover, we are confident that they have the leadership skills to lead the UNP to victory.

Q: Understandably, the elections will focus on the war and its progress. How can the UNP counter this crucial point?

A: Many regions, including Kilinochchi were under the government control when we handed over the reins to former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. Nonetheless, while we appreciate the victory of the armed forces we insist that it be consolidated with a strong political backing so that the tactical gains of the military remains steadfast. We have seen in previous situations where military gains have been lost. If that were to happen again, then these victories that have cost dozens of lives would be for nothing. After 1994, these areas were taken over by the LTTE. Before then, all crucial strongholds from Elephant Pass to Kilinochchi were under government forces. After the lapse of many years, the forces have done their duty. Now it is up to the government to safeguard these regions by moving towards an acceptable political solution. Civil control must be established in these areas. If that is to be done, then the responsibility of finding a political solution rests squarely on the government’s shoulders. As the government itself has said, the ‘heart’ of the LTTE has been captured. As we see it, the government has finished around 95% of the war. Therefore, there is no reason to ask the people to have patience any longer. They can start giving relief now rather than later. The excuses and weight that they can put on the conflict is limited. The people have waited for over two and a half years, and now it is time that they were given their due.

Q: Despite the UNP being continuously harping on the cost of living and other crucial economic issues, it did not have the desired effect at the previous polls. What are the talking points for you this time around?

A: For us, the main focus will be the corruption and wastage of the government. The people must be made aware of how the government has deviated from their initial pledges to bring assistance to them. The masses are suffering under the massive cost of living and the government is totally unconcerned. Benefits of the oil price decline have not been passed on to the people, if that had happened, then by extension all other prices would have declined as well. Even the Supreme Court has recognised the rights of the people but the government continues to unfairly tax the people. People have been very patient during this time period because of the war. But now we believe they will turn a deaf year to the government’s hackneyed scapegoat excuse of war expenses.

Q: Speculation is rife that this will be a violent election. How do you hope to protect your candidates and prevent it from escalating out of control?

A: The UNP does not have an Army. The government has already committed several election violations using armed thugs. Only the people can help us face this threat. We will motivate our supporters democratically. The UNP requests the masses not to be afraid of the government’s gun and immediately work towards protecting their democratic rights. During the North Central Province elections we saw many instances of terrorisation shortly after the elections where 31 of our members were brutally killed in a bomb blast. It is with this massive menace lurking ominously in the background that we are facing this election. We will do everything in our power to offset these negative aspects and ask the people to join us; this is not just an election between political parties, but one that revolves around the people.