By Namini Wijedasa Courtesy Lakbimanews

Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa who is once again playing a central role in directing India-Sri Lanka relations, last week refused to clarify whether President Rajapaksa had promised a visiting Indian delegation to implement the 13th Amendment in full.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Excerpts from the interview:

How healthy are India-Sri Lanka relations?
I think very healthy. IndiaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s vote in Geneva on the US-led resolution is only one incident. As a whole, there has not been much change in the relationship. It is very cordial, friendly and understanding. This was confirmed by the almost all-party and all-state delegation that came here. The government, opposition and regional parties were represented. From that I understood the relationship is healthy and that Geneva voting was an isolated incident.
How do you analyse the boycott by some Tamil Nadu parties?
I was very surprised. I felt there was a misunderstanding about the itinerary. It was not made by us but submitted by the Indian High Commission to me and the External Affairs Ministry. We thought it was their wish list and we organized it accordingly. In that programme there was no visit to the IDP camps or to a resettled village. We thought it was their desire. But unfortunately Tamil Nadu members saw it differently, that we were not allowing them to go or that we didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t like it. The day they were leaving, we got this request. I was not happy about it because it is very difficult for logistics when the programme is suddenly changed. But when the president got to know, he said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”no, you have to arrange the trip to the IDP camps.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ So we did. When they (Indian delegation) went, they understood that there were only a few in the camps and that the majority was resettled. Then Mrs. Swaraj wanted to visit a resettled village. We immediately arranged it for the next morning. She visited and saw with her own eyes an irrigation tank destroyed by the LTTE being rebuilt. She saw the cultivated farmlands and harvests. They went to some houses and to a training centre. They saw the poly-tunnels and new agriculture methods in which we are training people. They heard the statements and comments. At one house there was a picture of a boy. They were told that the LTTE took this boy when he was studying for the maths A/Level and that he had died in the conflict. I think the Tamil Nadu members should have come.
Will there be a fresh invitation to them?
No, I donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t think so.
Indian Opposition Leader Sushma Swaraj claimed that President Rajapaksa agreed to implement the 13th Amendment and beyond. This was denied by President RajapaksaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s office. What is the truth?
The External Affairs Minister should have made a statement on this type of issue. I think I am not qualified to answer this. It is better that the governmentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s official statement is issued by him when he returns (from South Korea). I know the discussion because I was there. So I think itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s better not to confuse again by adding my comments. For national interest, I think we should be silent and let the proper authority explain this.
Looking back, the same confusion prevailed some months ago when Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said during his visit to Sri Lanka that President Rajapaksa had committed to implement the 13th Amendment and beyond. Newspapers reported that the president later denied this but there was never an official statement.
So I think we must request him (External Affairs Minister) to come out with a statement.
Do you agree at least that there is confusion?
No, from our part there is no confusion.
What is our current position on the 13th Amendment?
You canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t take 13th Amendment on its own if you are talking about some so-called political settlement or whatever it is. It is very clear in the Mahinda Chinthana for which President Rajapaksa has a mandate that there should be a Parliamentary Select Committee. The president has said he will take whatever they decide to the people and after that implement it. That is the presidentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s mandate and thatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s what the president should do. In all his statements he has very clearly said what can be done and what cannot be done. One is that it has to be a unitary state.
There will be no federal solution?
No, thatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s clear. That was the difference between Ranil Wickremesinghe and Mahinda Rajapaksa in the election. Secondly, there can be no homeland or no nijabim sankalpaya. Everything has to be within this framework. And I think everybody must agree on that. He canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t go beyond his mandate and I think that is the peopleƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s wish. But he has also said that if it is the majorityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s wish that he does something else he will even sacrifice his own ideas.
What about police, land powers and full implementation of the 13th Amendment?
It doesnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t matter. If we are talking of a broader settlement or reconciliation process or a political solution, you must not pick here and there and answer or ask. LetƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s think about it with an open mind. If you say come to the table with an open mind or without conditions, we must not talk about those.
You already had the All Party Representatives Committee. The proposals that came outƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  are not even mentioned now. Why are you again going for a PSC?
There were several parties in that process but not the TNA. Proper representation was not there.
DoesnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t the TNA refuse to participate in the PSC?
That is why they should come.
Are you negotiating with them?
IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m not talking. They are the people who want this so they must come. If somebody wants something they should participate. I donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t think anybody else in the whole country…the majority donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t want anything. I still believe that this issue is not one which is relevant to the people.
Do you accept that there is an issue, that the Tamil minorities have a problem because not enough power has been devolved into their hands?
No, I donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t think so. You must not compare the Tamil people with those who were under the LTTE. There is no development in those areas because of the LTTE. Only now is development taking place. You must compare Tamils in Wellawatte. Are they discriminated against? Tamils in Kotahena, are they discriminated against? Are Tamils in Negombo discriminated against? Compare these people. And compare a person in your office who is a Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese. Is there discrimination among them? Sometimes they get more advantage because they are fluent in all three languages so we believe all people must learn all three languages.
Do you think itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s wrong for the Tamil minority to expect to govern themselves, to have power over their affairs in their own areas?
Not only Tamil. If you say that, everybody must have it. What we say is no, definitely not on the basis of Tamil.
On what basis then?
If they want, as citizens of Sri Lanka. Do you think just because people in Colombo voted against the UPFA that Colombo must separate from us or have power separately? That is wrong. Nobody talks like that. The TNA also has no mandate because in the parliamentary elections they didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t get 51 per cent of the votes anywhere.
What about at the Local Government elections?
Those are not relevant. In the parliamentary elections they did not get more than 50 per cent in Jaffna or even in Wanni. We got more votes from the North and East. In Jaffna the TNA got 43 per cent, in Wanni only 38 per cent, in Batticaloa 36 per cent, Digamadulla 10 per cent and Trincomalee 23 per cent. With all this, they have only 13 members and we got 12 MPs from the North and East. I donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t know how they are claiming (a mandate). And they are not sole representatives. These things have to be discussed. The TNA must participate in the Select Committee.
Will the government definitely implement whatever that comes out of the PSC?
No, because finally in the Constitution the people have the power. If it is a normal Act, you can come to parliament and pass it with a simple majority. If itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a constitutional amendment, you must have a two-third majority.
DonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t you have a two-thirds majority?
No, we donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t have.
You found a two-thirds majority to have the 18th Amendment passed, didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t you?
For that, every party must agree. And here you must also have a referendum if the Supreme Court requires it. The people will decide.
When will the government hold elections to the Northern Provincial Council?
Government cannot decide on that. The elections commissioner and the court of law must decide. I think maximum within two years. Two years is a very small time.
Have we assured the Indians that we will implement the 13th Amendment in full?
Why should we tell India or anybody? We have to tell the people. The president has very clearly told parliament and the people what heƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s going to do. You are asking about what we told India, USA or to other people. We will tell you rather than tell to anybody else. And we have said that any agreement will be open. We will discuss with the people openly and transparently. Why India? I donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t know why everybody talks about India.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  In one discussion this time, one Indian MP suggested some things. When I was having breakfast I said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”your advice is very useful to us.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ He said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”we have no right to advise, we are just making suggestions.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ They are very clear.
Who came up with this ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”13th Amendment PlusƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ concept? WasnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t it Sri Lanka?
I donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t want to comment on the discussions we had.
The ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”13th Amendment PlusƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t start these discussions. It started with President Rajapaksa saying a long time ago that he will go beyond the 13th Amendment.
ThatƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s a thing I donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t like to discuss because itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s an issue you are saying there is a conflicting position.
Do you feel itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s unfair of India to keep pressurising us on the 13th Amendment?
No, itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s not unfair because they are the masters of the 13th Amendment. They definitely have their views on it and there is no harm. But as Sri Lankans we must have fresh thinking and find a solution. We will do that.
There are certain things we keep doing in India-Sri Lanka relations that are not diplomatic. Are we being complacent because we are confident that the Indian government will always support us?
I have said relations are very cordial. The Geneva issue is only one incident. I think there can be some faults from our side and also from their side, or some misunderstanding. But we also must say that the best relationship between the two countries in recent history has been under Mahinda RajapaksaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s regime. I think we will continue it.
Is your government implementing the LLRC recommendations?
I donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t know why you and your newspapers take up isolated issues from time to time. DonƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t take the LLRC or the 13th Amendment or anything. We want to develop this country, develop the people of this country and have a peaceful country for future generations. We will do it. Let us do it the way we are doing. We have never failed. Every time we do something they complain. When we control the exchange rate, they complain. When we allow it to float, they complain. When we impose import restrictions on vehicles, they shout. When we relax them also they shout. From time to time we have taken decisions that show we are going in the correct path. We have brought peace. Everybody thought we canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t fight, thereƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s no peace and people will die. But nobody dies. One victory we have is that nobody dies from any party or place.
Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra was killed in broad daylight. People die for other reasons now which are much easier to tackle than a war. Why are these not being handled?
Tell me a country or period where there have been no murders. Mahatma Gandhi was killed in front of thousands. Abraham Lincoln was killed. So was John F. Kennedy, during a parade. I think the media have a responsibility not to help enemy arguments but to strengthen the arguments of the country. You can definitely criticize or suggest or tell if something is going against or hurting the country. If there are ways in which the government or the people of this country can win over even the international community which is hostile to us, you must suggest the kinds of things we can minimize. But see what happened. India and China were clearly supporting us in international forums. That was a big strength. This was conveyed by some ambassadors to their capitals, that Sri Lanka is using both countries to get support. What they did was they somehow managed to get India out of it. This time they saw another thing. It was that all the Muslim countries, including those who always vote with the US, were supporting us and that the Muslims were behind the government. Now see what happened? Just one small incident…
If you are referring to the incident at the mosque in Dambulla, wasnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t that staged by some Buddhist monks?
So, itƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s not the government!
n But donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t you have to manage it?
No, how to manage it? That is what IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m saying. This is a planned act. IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m not saying these people, anybody who is doing this, know they are in a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”coup.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ But somebody is behind it. Like that, situations are being created every day.
Two abductions took place recently at Jubilee Post junction which is about 250m from the Mirihana police station. Who is so daring as to stage these things?
Chandi Malli, our provincial council member, was killed in the high security zone in front of police headquarters near the presidentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s house. He was just coming from the CID. These things happen.
The government canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t stop them?
IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m not saying we canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t stop these. These have been there for many years. These have to be curtailed. And I think with all the support from the police and security forces, we can curtail them. But there is a mistake you are doing. Most people are putting the blame on the government or police or army. By this, the real culprits get away. What happened with the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”grease yaka?ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ Nobody talks about the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”grease yakaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ now. How many innocent police officers were killed and how many police stations were attacked? You think the government is doing that? They flattened the whole Dompe police station! One old man was walking on the railway line and he was knocked down and killed. When the police came, the people assaulted the police. You think this is not planned? These are well planned and organized.
You were recently seen on national television speaking glowingly of Mervyn Silva. Why are you promoting a politician who is widely reviled?
IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m not promoting anybody. IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m promoting the party and I have to act according to the party
Constitution. HeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s an elected MP from Gampaha and IƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢m the Gampaha district leader. For five months, I didnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t step into the Kelaniya electorate and development activities were stopped. There is a policy and a rule that if any minister goes to an electorate it should be through the party organizer. So Mervyn is still the party organizer. I canƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t let down the people of Kelaniya. I have to go and do my development and party work. May Day is coming. And if I go, I have to go with Mervyn. It is the party rule.
You donƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t have disciplinary rules in your party?
Yes we have.
CanƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t these too be applied to Mervyn?
Yes, they are applied. At the last Central Committee meeting, it was decided to call for an explanation from him. Especially when it comes to a Member of Parliament, we have to be very careful. When we take disciplinary action, it will definitely be challenged in court. Last government, Mangala (Samaraweera) crossed over. Sripathy was from Kelaniya and was attacking the government. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, Arjuna Ranatunga, they crossed over but we couldnƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢t do anything because the Constitution is very liberal. In my speech I said very clearly that Mervyn might have done wrong and I might have done wrong but that if we are safeguarding the government we have to be careful. Our responsibility is to the people who elected us, so we have to serve the people.