By
SHALIKA WIMALASENA
M. K. D. S. Gunawardena
Former Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs M. K. D. S. Gunawardena says that Twenty-three government MPs were to cross over with us. But they had to reconsider their decision after they saw the threats we faced.
Q:
Do you feel happy now that you quit the government?
A: Frankly, I am happy
Q:
Who was it that first suggested this quitting?
A: Well, I was planning it over the last two years.
Q:
Why? Was the situation getting that bad?
A: The UNPers who engaged in the murders of the likes of Nalanda Ellawala the relation of former Prime Minister Sirima Bandaranaike and the killers of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra were absorbed into the government ranks. Some were let loose to attack even the SLFPers after amending the judgments to attack. They are really disgusting.
Q:
Why did you remain silent for so long then without even protesting?
A: Individual crusades were not going to be fruitful. We were merely biding our time. We pleaded with the President to put a stop to the frauds and corruption. We explained to him that, the parliamentary group and the party men were thoroughly dissatisfied.
Q:
Did you produce any evidence of such goings on?
A: Why not? Even little children know what the war is like today after the real war.
Q:
Can you name the assassins since you are not in the government now?
A: I can’t reveal names right now, but everybody is aware as to who they are. Leaders like Sirima Bandaranaike, Chandrika Bandaranaike and also Mahinda Rajapaksa in his first term did not get the drug dealers, ethanol sellers, casino businessmen etc. in to the government.
Q:
Can’t the President change this situation?
A: The President is their prisoner. I had serious doubts and I reported it to a Deputy Inspector General in the Presidential Security Division. You can check. According to the constitution, a Prime Minister can cover the duties of the President for three months.
Q:
You had the chance to reveal these to the people before this had you not?
A: Merely exposing them is counter-productive. We must do it in a proper way. Now people have shown the need to change the system.
Q:
Do you mean that you have waited until an election?
A: We waited until we had created a substantial base to make our move.
Q:
Where are those politicians who said they would be quitting the government?
A: Twenty-three government MPs were to come with us. But they had to reconsider their decision after they saw the threats we faced. Our security was reduced by 1:00 a.m. Two unknown officials were given for security and our vehicles were taken back.
Q:
Do you mean that they won’t quit, fearing loss of perks and privileges they enjoy?
A: No. That’s not it. There are about 15 officers in the Minister’s staff. They may lose their jobs. Some have been held with such moves. One’s son is held without bail to hold him. Some were threatened and some were offered money. Such things had an impact.
Q:
Does that mean you have already lost?
A: They are doing the necessary organizing although they have not joined us. They deliver the messages etc. They will join us when the time comes.
Q:
How can you trust them?
A: They will join us. Although they have not joined us as yet, they are converting other members to our cause.
Q:
But, people are thoroughly disillusioned since the pledged politicians have not quit the government?
A: We are explaining to the people what really took place and what is going to happen in the future.
Q:
Rumour is rife that you are seeking to rejoin the government, is in’t this true?
A: They are fabrications. I was offered money, a Ministerial position and a seat via the National List at the next election. The leaders did not respect our seniority in the party.
Q:
Who made such offers to you?
A: The Chairmen of big Corporations met me and said. Actually we are sorry about the President, but that is quite a different story.
Q:
Are you going to cry now after leaving him behind?
A: No. The President did not listen to us when we pointed out the shortcomings. I told him that the Ministers were misleading him. I inquired at the Central Committee Meeting if he wanted me to spy disguised like in the time of ancient kings. He said yes, and pointed out, that those who loved the country acted in that way. They were wasting money in billions of rupees and the President was not aware of this falsehood.
Q:
I can’t help but notice, that you are trying to absolve the President from all offences.
A: No. I don’t want to absolve him. He tried to guide the country on a good path. But the individuals who were around him ruined everything.
Q:
Do you actually mean that his company of brothers are the ones who should be answerable. Then are all the other Ministers totally innocent?
A: We have been with him since the 1970’s. He hardly did commit any errors then. But he has not been listening to us in recent times. We think he encourages offences.
Q:
Why were you silent all this while knowing that the people’s money was being swindled in this manner?
A: There is no use of speaking against them alone. I invited former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga two years ago to come forward to save the country.
Q:
But she is not coming to the contest?
A: You must ask it her. Maithri is a person who hails from an agricultural background and who knows people’s sufferings. He is not a corrupt person and I have no issue against his candidacy.
Q:
Although you are senior, at the past parliamentary election, Susantha Puchi Nilame obtained votes more than you.
A: He spent money earned through vices like catching elephants etc. I was in politics for the last 35 years without corruption. I have served the people. He was earning. He offered contracts and employments to the UNPers. He did not care for the village people. But the government allocated more money to him.
Q:
You could have told that to the President.
A: I did. But all he said was, ‘I had to be happy since an outsider was working in my electorate.’ Minister S. M. Chandrasena also was there. He told me after the discussion that the answer given by the President was very flimsy. Everybody is there without satisfaction.
Q:
But they do not quit.
A: They will do so at the right time, watch and wait. We are in an alliance. UNP has 3.5 million votes. Don’t forget it. Although we won the elections, UNP safeguarded that base. We are ready to join any devil to change this corrupt system.
Courtesy:Ceylon Today