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Friday Jul 05, 2024
Wednesday, 19 March 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Q: What are your views about the upcoming provincial council election?
A: As a party we are doing our best. Our Colombo District Organiser Shaffik Rajabdeen is working hard. He has planned the campaign in such a manner that all the provincial council members of other areas, members of the local authorities and Members of Parliament have been given various areas to canvass. The Leader has given the guidance and we are doing well.
Q: Why did the SLMC decide to contest alone?
A: It’s a political strategy. We have always contested alone. If we look at the preferential voting system, it is difficult to be part of a large political party and obtain the necessary preference votes to reach the threshold to get elected. Therefore, in terms of political strategy, the best is to contest alone in the areas where Muslim communities live in smaller numbers. Otherwise we will get thrown out in the preference count.
Q: Several Government ministers are accusing your Leader and the SLMC for trying to create tension among communal groups during election times in order to secure votes. Is there any truth in these accusations?
A: These are false allegations. As a party representing the Muslim community, we are duty-bound to take up those issues. The issue about giving the report to Navi Pillay when she was in Sri Lanka was something that took place many months back. The media carried it and the whole world knew about it. Nobody made an issue out of it. Those who now shout, especially those Muslim politicians within the Government, are only trying to make an issue out of it. This report was given a long time ago, not in contemplation of this election. These are things that we generally do. We are duty-bound to take up those issues in order to protect the Muslims as a minority community. These are unfair accusations levelled against our party.
"It’s a political strategy. We have always contested alone. If we look at the preferential voting system, it is difficult to be part of a large political party and obtain the necessary preference votes to reach the threshold to get elected. Therefore, in terms of political strategy, the best is to contest alone in the areas where Muslim communities live in smaller numbers. Otherwise we will get thrown out in the preference count
I am not aware of what transpired between the President and the SLMC Leader. But I suppose being a coalition partner, especially when pressures are brought up by the other factions – the ultranationalist forces within the party – it may have put pressure on the President and misled him. They must have given the wrong information about the contents of the document. Whoever is interested in this report should have read it carefully
There was a time some of the Muslims felt they must leave this country, but things have changed drastically. Leaving the country was not the way of handling that problem. Our country belongs to all of us. We are all together and own it together. The hate campaign against the Muslims and attacks on Muslims are no longer there. Things have changed drastically
When a presidential election comes, bargaining power will come back. When the democratic institutions are very much in force, when the Opposition is strong, bargaining power will come. I personally believe that bargaining power should be used for the betterment of the country to begin with and for the betterment of the community one represents
In terms of Constitutional rights, the Executive having power over every institution is something I personally regret. I am not talking about the present President. I think the SLMC, especially the leadership, has stated at many places that we regret not being able to separate that part of the 18th Amendment where some of the institutions have gone under the Executive"
Q: Minister Mervyn Silva had warned your Leader that Prabhakaran’s fate awaits anyone resorting to traitorous activities. Your comments?
A: I don’t know whether his statements are worth any comments. I will leave it to my Leader; being a Minister, he will deal with his colleagues.
Q: Did the SLMC submit a report to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay?
A: Yes. Everyone knew about it. When the General Secretary went and handed over this report, it was a known fact and all most all the media carried it. I don’t think anything happened secretly.
Q: What was in that report?
A: You should be able to get the entire script from the SLMC Secretary General. He might give you a copy if it is necessary. It is not a secret document. I can’t just say what was in it. It will be unfair by the report if I comment on it without knowing the facts. Generally I take part in such documentation processes of the party but unfortunately during that particular period I was very busy in Kalmunai. This was the time I assumed duties as the Mayor of Kalmunai.
Q: Do you believe it is ethically correct to give evidence against your coalition partner?
A: It is not giving evidence against the partner. It is wrong to say that. What they are saying is that there are ultra national forces working in this country. They are outsiders and not part of the Government. We only mentioned this factor. We have never said that it is the Government that is behind this. We have only brought to the attention of the international community that there are forces acting within this country that may even be tarnishing the image of the Government. It is important that we bring these matters to the attention of international community.
Q: Being coalition partners, you could have sorted things internally. Why did you take these matters to international level?
A: Whatever was mentioned in the report, the SLMC has also brought to the attention of the Government. But in addition, when international monitors come to Sri Lanka, go around the country and visit especially the forces which are against the SLMC who are representing the Muslim community, these issues are brought to their (international monitors’) notice. When they wanted to find out our position, we may have said these are issues. We have already brought these to the attention of the Government. We believe the Government will take control of it.
Q: Is it true that President Rajapaksa asked your Leader and the SLMC to leave the Government?
A: Actually I am not aware of what transpired between the President and the SLMC Leader. But I suppose being a coalition partner, especially when pressures are brought up by the other factions – the ultranationalist forces within the party – it may have put pressure on the President and misled him. They must have given the wrong information about the contents of the document. Whoever is interested in this report should have read it carefully.
Anyway, various Muslim organisations within Sri Lanka gathered facts and made presentations to Navi Pillay when she was here. These are facts that have been put to her and she must have been aware of it. But apart from that, I am not personally aware of what really took place between the President and Minister Hakeem. However, I really feel that some forces within the Government may have caused prejudice in the mind of the President in order to gain political mileage.
Q: We feel the SLMC is toothless within the Government. Do you agree?
A: This Government being a coalition has to balance various forces. It is very difficult for the Government to satisfy everybody. Invariably every coalition partner may have certain grievances in respect of certain actions of outside elements. I don’t think it is fair in any democratic set-up to sort out all your problems within the Government. I don’t believe in that personally.
Q: The President reportedly asked your Leader to leave the Government. Members of the Government are accusing the SLMC of being traitors. Why are you still with the Government?
A: It’s the President’s prerogative; if he really doesn’t want our Leader, he can always remove him. It is perfectly alright. It is his right. That cannot be held as the point at which the party is expected to keep its mouth shut. We have to say what we have to say to the community. Knowing the President, I personally feel that at that point of time he may have had some reason to get emotionally involved. He may have had second thoughts about it. I am sure the President has a perfect understanding about our aspirations and our demands, which are democratically accepted.
I think our Leader has given a very clear position on that. We joined this Government on invitation. We did not barge in; neither did we canvass a post for ourselves. It was on invitation that we have gone and it is for them to tell us that they don’t want us anymore. The day that the Government decides that the actions of my Leader are not tolerable and it is time for us to leave, we are ready to leave. It is up to the Government to take up a position and tell us.
Q: Is it because of your greed for power that the SLMC is still with the Government?
A: I don’t think so. This is not the time to leave. We joined the Government on invitation. What will happen to our credibility if we fight and walk out? Let’s not be in that form. The day that the Government feels they don’t want us, they can send us out. On the contrary, to answer your questions directly, after all that has transpired between the President and our Leader, maybe they have an understanding which has made both of them stay together.
Q: Do Muslims feel safe to live in Sri Lanka?
A: There was a time some of the Muslims felt they must leave this country, but things have changed drastically. Leaving the country was not the way of handling that problem. Our country belongs to all of us. We are all together and own it together. The hate campaign against the Muslims and attacks on Muslims are no longer there. Things have changed drastically. As a community, we were able to demonstrate that we have acted in a very patient and wise manner so that the country’s image was not tarnished at the level where one community has to leave the country. Things have changed and I am sure in time to come it will change further.
Q: What do you think about the country’s present political situation?
A: The Opposition is still weak. As a democratic political party, we believe a strong Opposition is a must for the country to prosper. Having a weaker Opposition is bad for a country, in terms of rule of law and democratic conditions. We feel that the Opposition must be constructive and come together for the sake of having a balanced rule. It is an important factor. The present Government is strong in the minds of the ordinary people. That is fine. At the same time, we must also be able to address matters from a broader perspective. Whether it is the Government or the Leader of the Opposition, absolute power tends to corrode democratic institutions.
Q: There is speculation that the Opposition is to field a common presidential candidate. What is the SLMC’s stand?
A: We only see things in the media. We are yet to see anything concrete on the ground. Let’s wait and see what is going to happen.
Q: Will you support a common presidential candidate?
A: We have not taken any decision on that. Actually we have no reason to think about supporting the Opposition. We are part of the Government. We can’t take decisions contrary to the Government’s political position. As part of the present administration, it is nothing but fair that we support them. Just because we are fighting the provincial council elections alone, that does not mean when the elections are over we will sit in Opposition in the provincial council. We are part of the Government. That is the understanding.
Q: Do you agree that the bargaining power of SLMC and other smaller parties has weakened?
A: When a presidential election comes, bargaining power will come back. When the democratic institutions are very much in force, when the Opposition is strong, bargaining power will come. I personally believe that bargaining power should be used for the betterment of the country to begin with and for the betterment of the community one represents. No one, no party, should go beyond that just to seek personal advantage. We as the Muslim community never believed in gaining political advantage using bargaining power.
Q: You say you are united as a community, but there are several political parties representing Muslims. Your views?
A: That is one thing you have to accept in a democratic set-up. I don’t subscribe to the fact that the SLMC is the only representative of the Muslim community. The SLMC represents the majority view of the Muslim community. The majority of the Muslim community is not subservient and does not say yes to everything the Government says. At the same time it does not mean we will go and fight for everything else and seek separatism or work against the overall integrity of the country.
Q: Do you regret supporting the 18th Amendment?
A: Not in terms of giving the opportunity for the President to contest more than twice. In terms of Constitutional rights, the Executive having power over every institution is something I personally regret. I am not talking about the present President. I think the SLMC, especially the leadership, has stated at many places that we regret not being able to separate that part of the 18th Amendment where some of the institutions have gone under the Executive.
